David Reynolds: The Virginia Reel
This is how it’s done. First, you take a short walk. Then you sashay, a step where the left moves off to the side, only to be chased by the right. Then you go in the opposite direction, with the right leading being chased by the left. Then you act like children, you do some skipping. First to the right, then left. This allows both sides to face one another, each backing off when one goes forward. Then everyone moves around in a big circle. Finally, both sides smile, join hands and return to their original position.
Ladies and Virginia gentlemen, this is how the Virginia Reel is conducted. It is also how the Virginia General Assembly conducts its own dance of legislation. Continue reading “David Reynolds: The Virginia Reel” »
McDonnell signs emergency autism legislation
Gov. Bob McDonnell on Tuesday signed House Bill 1106, which covers providers of applied behavior analysis under last year’s autism insurance legislation, into law.
After the 2011 General Assembly adjourned, the Attorney General’s office notified the Board of Medicine they were not authorized by the underlying legislation, House Bill 2467, to promulgate regulations for the licensure of Certified Behavior Analysts. Certified Behavior Analysts provide Applied Behavioral Analysis, the preferred method of treatment, to children diagnosed with autism. Continue reading “McDonnell signs emergency autism legislation” »
Democrat warns of cut to health-care safety net in state budget
At a news conference in Richmond this morning, Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Joint Commission on Health Care, outlined the eroding support for vital safety net services in Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposed budget. Nearly $5.4 million in aid to various programs is on the chopping block.
“Gov. McDonnell’s budget would slash funding for the health care safety net by 50%,” said Del. Brink. “It literally would rip the safety net in half.” Continue reading “Democrat warns of cut to health-care safety net in state budget” »
‘Amazon loophole’ bill would level the playing field for retailers, advocates say
State Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) is the chief patron of legislation submitted today to fix the Amazon loophole in the state sales tax collection system. The legislation, Senate Bill 597, is needed to clarify that retail companies in Virginia that have a physical presence in the state, such as a warehouse and distribution center, cannot use complex corporate structures to avoid collecting and remitting the state sales tax from customers. The bill is co-sponsored by a strong bipartisan group of senators.
“The legislation will create a more level playing field for Virginia retailers,” said Wagner, who is the chief patron of the bill. “Companies with a physical presence in the state should all play by the same rules.” Continue reading “‘Amazon loophole’ bill would level the playing field for retailers, advocates say” »
Bolling: I will vote to break Senate ties
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said today that there are no constitutional limitations on his ability to vote on State Senate organizational matters, including the election of Senate leaders and committee chairs and members.
“I recognize that senators on both sides of the aisle may be disappointed with my conclusions, albeit for entirely different reasons. However, throughout my service as lieutenant governor, I have tried to preside over the Senate in a fair and impartial manner, and I will continue to do so,” said Bolling, announcing that he intends to vote on such matters to break tie votes as necessary.
Senate Democrats have been trying to put public pressure on Bolling to back away from voting on matters involving Senate organization. The November elections left the chamber equally divided with 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats seated in the 40-member legislative chamber. Continue reading “Bolling: I will vote to break Senate ties” »
WVPT GM responds to proposed state-funding elimination
WVPT President and General Manager David Mullins on Wednesday issued the following statement in response to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposed 2012-2014 state budget, which calls for the elimination of state funding for public broadcasting:
“The proposed reductions would result in a loss of approximately $420,000 from WVPT’s annual funding. As in the past, we will make our case with the General Assembly for funding the unique and valued services WVPT and our public broadcasting partners throughout Virginia provide. We understand that in this environment, the Governor has some tough decisions to make. However, this complete elimination of funding will have a direct impact on teachers, students and schools. Continue reading “WVPT GM responds to proposed state-funding elimination” »
McDonnell uses budget bill to speed up phaseout of accelerated sales tax
Gov. Bob McDonnell will use the Caboose Budget Bill to rapidly speed up the phase out of the accelerated sales tax policy in the Commonwealth.
With the governor’s action, by the end of fiscal year 2012 95.6% of affected sales tax dealers will no longer have to make accelerated payments to the state. The governor will include $50 million to facilitate this policy change.
McDonnell had earlier sought to begin unwinding the accelerated sales tax beginning in FY 2013. With last week’s action, the governor has sped up the process substantially.
“I have always opposed the policy of playing budget games with sales tax receipts. The accelerated sales tax can feel to retailers like a ‘double tax.’ It penalizes Virginia retailers and merchants and skews states revenues. It is bad policy and it needs to be eliminated as quickly as we can,” McDonnell said. Continue reading “McDonnell uses budget bill to speed up phaseout of accelerated sales tax” »
Poll: Virginians divided over State Senate split
A new Public Policy Polling survey reveals that Virginia voters think that Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling would be acting in accord with the state Constitution if he were to break a tie in favor of giving Republicans control olf the State Senate, but that at the same time the GOP should share power with Democrats in accord with the results of the November General Assembly elections.
Fifty-five percent of Virginia voters think there should be some sort of power-sharing arrangement, according to a PPP poll released Friday, while only 31 percent of voters think Republicans should have full control of the senior chamber. The key voting bloc there is independents, who side with Democrats in backing power-sharing by a 53 percent-to-28 percent margin.
The split in favor of Bolling’s power to vote to break ties is much closer – with 37 percent saying they feel he has the power to side with Republicans in the Senate organization and 34 percent saying they don’t think he has that power. Continue reading “Poll: Virginians divided over State Senate split” »
McDonnell proposes state employee bonus plan
During his state employee town hall this afternoon, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a proposal to implement a performance incentive in his budget that will result in up to a three percent bonus to full-time state employees on Dec. 1, 2012.
In order for the bonus to be paid, statewide discretionary unspent general fund appropriations on June 30, 2012 must meet or exceed twice the general fund cost of the bonus. It is estimated that $160 million will have to be saved statewide in general fund spending and targets to provide the bonus, which totals approximately $77 million if all state employees qualify In addition, state employees will have to meet certain criteria on their personal performance evaluations to quality for the bonus.
“We saw last year that by implementing the private sector principles of rewarding fiscal discipline and encouraging greater performance among employees, we can successfully change the environment within our state government. Today, I thank our great state employees for their hard work and ask them to rise to the challenge and help us reduce waste and increase efficiency across the state,” McDonnell said. Continue reading “McDonnell proposes state employee bonus plan” »
McDonnell announces $2B investment in VRS
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that his proposed biennial budget will recommend a total of $2.21 billion in employer contributions to state employee and teacher funds by state and local governments – the largest employer contribution to VRS in history.
The recommended employer contribution for state employees alone for FY2013/2014 is a record $596.9 million. The governor’s budget will fully fund the projections made by the VRS actuary, with the exception of the VRS rate of return which is funded at the level normally used by the General Assembly. The budget will also fully fund the next installments of the 10-year payback of previously deferred contributions. According to JLARC’s review released Dec. 12th, in the past two years, from 2009 to 2011, the gap between the VRS liabilities and assets on hand to pay such liabilities increased 69 percent from $11.8 billion to $19.9 billion. Continue reading “McDonnell announces $2B investment in VRS” »
Ken Plum: Grand illusion in Richmond
Recently I performed a magic show for children at Barnes and Noble in Reston as part of a fundraiser for a local preschool. Part of the success of performing magic is dependent upon the ability of the magician to divert the attention of the audience from what is going on to the illusion of what seems to be happening.
A ballpoint pen seems to stick a hole in a dollar bill, although no hole is found when the pen is removed. The peanut butter jar and the jelly jar seem to mysteriously change places. A string of bright beads is produced from an empty container. Magic and illusion are great forms of entertainment.
Unfortunately the agenda shaping up for the 2012 General Assembly session in Richmond includes some sleight-of-hand to make the state legislature look good in the short run but could leave local governments on the losing end of the trick. The Governor’s Task Force for Local Government Mandate Review is proposing the elimination of a number of existing mandates. Continue reading “Ken Plum: Grand illusion in Richmond” »
David Reynolds: Our next governor
Posted by afp on February 21, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with bill bolling, bob mcdonnell, david reynolds, ken cuccinelli, republican politics, virginia politics