Michael is an award-winning journalist who started covering Virginia news in 2013 with reporting stints at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Business, and Richmond BizSense. A graduate of William & Mary and Northern Virginia Community College, he also covered financial news for S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Michael O’Connor
Latest from Michael O’Connor
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$15 minimum wage inches closer to becoming law in Virginia
The House Labor and Commerce Committee advanced a bill to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028. The bill will next be taken up by the House Appropriations committee.
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Virginia Senate Dems advance constitutional amendments
The amendments to redraw the Virginia’s congressional map, protect reproductive rights and gay marriage, and restore voting rights for the formerly incarcerated will next go to voters for approval.
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These Virginia Democrats want to make the wealthy pay their fair share
One proposal would establish a millionaire’s tax and another would impose a corporate welfare tax on large employers with workers who depend on social services.
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Virginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments
The Virginia House of Delegates advanced four constitutional amendments dealing with abortion rights, gay marriage, voting rights, and redistricting.
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Virginia Senate Dems roll out ‘2026 affordability agenda’
Virginia Senate Democrats held a press conference on Tuesday laying out their legislative priorities for this year’s General Assembly session.
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Virginia Democrats back bills to address gender, racial pay disparities
Forthcoming legislation aims to bring greater transparency in the hiring process and combat wage discrimination in Virginia.
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Will 2026 finally be the year paid leave becomes a reality for all Virginians?
Democrats and pro-worker advocates hope this can be the year Virginia expands access to paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to hundreds of thousands of workers.
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Spanberger, Dem leaders release ‘Affordable Virginia Agenda’
Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly announced their priorities for the upcoming legislative session at a press conference in Richmond on Thursday.
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Youngkin touts strength of Virginia economy despite warning signs
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin offered a rosy assessment of Virginia’s economy in Richmond on Wednesday while unveiling his proposed budget, but Democratic lawmakers disagreed with his assessment amid growing economic warning signs.
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Trump tries to block AI regulations as Virginia lawmakers eye reforms
President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week aiming to curb state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, but one lawmaker in Virginia says reform is still needed.
