Legislators push autism bills

Chris Graham

A pair of House Republicans are pushing for extended coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for children ages 2 to 6 years old affected by it. Dels. Tag Greason, R-Loudoun, and Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax, are patroning bills as part of the package. Greason’s HB 2467 would extend private-sector insurance coverage for…

Go time for George Allen

Chris Graham

Former Virginia governor and United States senator George Allen, as expected, has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2012 Senate Republican nomination. Allen on Monday announced his candidacy for the seat that he held for a single six-year term from 2001-2007. A once-popular Republican, Allen, governor from 1994-1998, had been looked at as…

House votes to repeal health-care law

Chris Graham

The House of Representatives voted 245-189 on Wednesday to pass a resolution to repeal the health-care reform that was signed into law by President Barack Obama last year. The resolution had been promised by the new Republican leadership in the House. The vote isn’t likely to lead to any effective repeal with a Democratic majority…

Kenneth Ehrenthal: Repeal of health-care law would cost dearly

Contributors

At a time when the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is trying to repeal the new health law, the reasons for needing the law in the first place have been forgotten in the heated partisan debate. So let’s review. Health care costs were escalating and many were losing their health insurance. Additionally,…

House GOP takes up immigration

Chris Graham

House Republican leaders are taking up the hot-button issue of illegal immigration at the outset of a Virginia General Assembly session taking place against the backdrop of fall elections. “House Republicans believe that playing by the rules and abiding by the law is important. Countless immigrants to this great nation have come here to embrace…

McDonnell names redistricting panel

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell on Monday signed an executive order creating the Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting, though its powers are limited to a review and recommendation capacity. “As Virginia redraws its legislative districts later this year, the process should take place in a manner that is fair and open,” McDonnell said in naming the…

David Reynolds: It’s next year!

David Reynolds

Contrary to last year’s press clippings, fist fights did not break out at this year’s Lexington-Rockbridge-Buena Vista “State of the Community” breakfast. Instead it was the usual sea of harmony sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, aka the local Pollyanna Society. The breakfast proved once again that there is a media bias. Representatives from our…

Moran: McDonnell waging ‘$1.1 billion bet’ on Virginia’s future

Chris Graham

Promises to cut federal spending on state transportation projects by the new Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives will have implications on political debates regarding transportation in Virginia. “House Republicans threatening to cut transportation exposes the dangerous flaws in Bob McDonnell’s deficit-spending transportation plan,” Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran said Wednesday….

Governor, Republican group react to proposed state action countering DADT

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to see the Virginia National Guard adhere to the same rules as the Department of Defense with respect to its treatment of gays and lesbians serving in the nation’s military. McDonnell addressed the issue on his monthly call-in show on WTOP in response to questions that have arisen regarding legislation that…