Lawsuit To Open Legislative Offices Moved to Federal Court
Virginia's legislators have offices in Downtown Richmond's Pocahontas Building. Democratic leaders announced the building will be closed to the public during the upcoming General Assembly session, leading to concerns over access. (Photo: Crixell Matthews/VPM News)
A lawsuit to force Democratic legislative leaders to open member offices to the public during the General Assembly session will now be heard in federal court.
A hearing in the case was scheduled for Monday morning in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond but was moved to U.S. District Court.
House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and Senate Rules Committee Chair Mamie Locke announced earlier this month that the Pocahontas Building, where legislative offices are located, would be open only to credentialed legislative employees and current legislators. The decision followed advice from the Virginia Department of Health.