Share
House Republicans have defeated a package of bills that would have established a streamlined process for restoring the voting rights of nonviolent felons. A package of bills that had the support of General Assembly Democrats and Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee Monday morning.
Share
The 2013 Session of the General Assembly began on an unseasonably mild January 9. This is the short session, meaning that the legislature will be in session only 46 days. Adjournment is scheduled for the 23rd of February. We are charged with adopting amendments to the 2012 – 2014 budget and dealing with over 2000 bills. Needless to say, it will be a busy session. It has been my experience that delegates and senators try to do as much work in a short session as in the longer 60-day session.
Share
Not even Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell would give U.S. Sen. Mark Warner a serious run in 2014, according to a new poll from Public Policy Polling.
Share
With legislators and transportation leaders by his side, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced on Tuesday a plan that would provide more than $3.1 billion in transportation funding for the Commonwealth over the next five years, tying transportation funding to economic growth and replacing the state’s outdated gas tax revenue model with a 0.8 percent increase in the state’s sales tax dedicated to transportation.
Share
We have heard an ongoing cry from organizations claiming to represent all businesses that they oppose any government action on toxic chemicals in our products, warning of increased costs and job losses. Now, a new independent poll shows that when it comes to protecting workers and consumers from negative effects of toxic chemicals, small-business owners agree with voters in that both want to be protected by stricter regulations.
Share
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) on Wednesday voiced strong support for the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. The legislation was reported out of the Senate-House conference committee last night and is expected to pass both houses of Congress this week.
Share
President Obama has proposed allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire above $400,000 as part of negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff. U.S. Sen.-elect Tim Kaine had suggested during his campaign allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire on income above $500,000 per year, a practical compromise between the position of Senate Democrats and President Obama and the position of House Republicans.
Share
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) released the following statement today after the Office of Management and Budget launched an improved performance.gov website, a key requirement of Sen. Warner’s 2010 Government Performance and Results Modernization Act signed into law by the President in January 2011.
Share
Common sense would tell you that if something is broken, it should be fixed. However, once again common sense has not prevailed within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just a few days ago, the EPA denied a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for this year. The EPA’s decision to deny much-needed relief to American livestock producers, food producers, and consumers was extremely disappointing. With a steep decline in corn production this year and a sharp increase in corn prices, the economic harm of the RFS is undeniable.
Share
It’s time to examine the impacts on various Virginia political players from the news this week that U.S. Sen. Mark Warner will not mount a campaign to run for governor in 2013.
Local news is in “serious jeopardy,” according to experts. Pitch in and help AFP continue to deliver news to the Valley, Virginia and beyond.