NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Almost a year ago, city leaders in Newport News ended parking requirements for new developments, a huge win for businesses and home builders — now, Newport News Delegate Shelly Simonds is proposing the same standard on the statewide level.

"This really is an emergency, and this bill proposal is just an effort to address the shortage of affordable housing options in Virginia," said Simonds.

She says if reelected, she plans to sponsor a bill that would repeal parking requirements in a manner adopted by several Virginia cities, including Newport News and Richmond. Simonds added that oftentimes these parking requirements are excessive and are used as a way to block new developments and scale back housing projects.

" We really want to let the developers determine the amo

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