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Moody’s Investor Services issued its Weekly Credit Outlook briefing today highlighting Gov. Bob McDonnell’s efforts to reform and strengthen the Virginia Retirement System. The bond-rating agency found the recently passed reforms to be “credit positive” and noted that Virginia estimates that its reforms, “lower total unfunded liabilities for state and local employee plans by nearly…
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Ahead of tomorrow’s crucial vote on the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Year 2012-14 budget, House Republicans emphasized the importance of quickly passing Virginia’s biennial budget. House and Senate Budget conferees agreed to the conference report on the $85 billion budget before the Easter Holiday and localities, agencies and schools across the Commonwealth are waiting for final passage…
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The ink is barely dry on the paperwork, but Andy Schmookler isn’t wasting any time making the most out of his campaign’s latest accomplishment. “In the weeks and months ahead, I will be increasing my public challenges of Bob Goodlatte,” Schmookler wrote to his supporters in an email announcing he had secured the Democratic nomination…
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Tim Kaine released his economic agenda on Wednesday as he embarked on a two-week tour of Virginia. The roadmap includes strategic initiatives to grow businesses and encourage job creation, develop a talented workforce, and balance the budget by finding common ground on spending cuts as well as investments that will generate new revenue. “As the…
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Reignite your flame and fill your cup; this is the motto for this year’s Celebrating Teaching Conference held by Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley and RMH Childcare Connection. This day is one devoted to the professional development and education of childcare providers and pre-K teachers. The conference will be held in the CISAT Building on East…
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On Thursday, Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, requested and was granted unanimous consent from the General Assembly to introduce two new budget bills beyond the normal deadline. The Senate failed to pass previous budget bills advanced in the House, rendering them dead for the session.
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The message being sent by State Senate Democrats is clear: Work with us, or else. “This is nothing new. Four years ago, every single Republican voted against the budget. In 2004 the Republicans held up the budget until May. In 2007 the Republicans held up the budget until June. We still have four months to…
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Del. Dickie Bell and his criticism of area teachers showing solidarity for better education is a prime example of all that is wrong in Virginia government. There was a time when Bell, a former educator, worked for the benefit of area youth through teaching and coaching. I can only assume that his current attack on…
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The week of March 19 is regional kindergarten registration for the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah. Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley is a local coalition working to improve school readiness in children ages 0-5, and promoting early kindergarten registration is one of the organization’s primary goals….
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The City of Waynesboro has received a $409,700 Safe Routes To School grant to make safety improvements near four schools. The Safe Routes To School initiative is a federally funded program administrated by the Virginia Department of Transportation. It will provide the City of Waynesboro with funding for a total of eight infrastructure projects to…
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