Bill Clifford: Your vote vs. their money

AFP

Career politicians in the U.S. Congress are quick to reach out to voters around election time. This is natural since it is the voters who will determine who gets elected. However, these politicians are continuously reaching out to special interests who supply the large amounts of money needed to run a successful campaign. So, the…

McDonnell announces access to online accident-info system

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced on Wednesday the first phase of a new online interactive database of state crash information that is free and open to the public. The state-of-the-art automated Traffic Records Electronic Data System centralizes Virginia’s crash data and related information from multiple agencies into one location. Now, for the first time, the public…

Ken Plum: Redefining federalism

Ken Plum

Listening to debate on the floor of the House of Delegates these days could lead one to conclude that Virginia’s relationship with the federal government is one of the principal issues facing the Commonwealth. The debates are not unlike those that took place when Virginia considered ratifying the new Constitution and joining the Union in…

Neal Menefee: Public media provides unique services that positively impact our communities

AFP

It has been more than 40 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. This resulted in the distinctly American creation of public television and public radio, which at its core was meant to provide a service to “enrich man’s spirit.” WVPT Public Television has demonstrated that public media has…

Creigh Deeds: General Assembly Report

Creigh Deeds

The 2011 session is proving to be one of the busiest I’ve seen. A typical day starts before 7 a.m. when constituents come to the General Assembly Building to meet with their legislators, followed quickly by 7:30 a.m. subcommittee meetings. Standing committees meet before and after the 12 p.m. session and last into the evening,…

Armstrong: AG ‘reading off talking points’ on utility increases

AFP

Facing a question on GOP-sponsored state legislation pushing electricity rates up pretty dramatically in Southwest Virginia, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli deflected at a town-hall meeting in Rocky Mount Thursday to a discussion of cap-and-trade legislation that has been stalled in Congress for a year. “Cap-and-trade legislation failed in the U.S. Congress. It didn’t pass. For…

Getting on track for challenge in Fifth

Chris Graham

    Column by Robert Hurt www.roberthurtforcongress.com I am excited about this year’s prospects in Virginia! After a solid win in November, Virginia Republicans in the Fifth Districtare set to take back our congressional seat. Deemed as one of the most vulnerable seats in the entire U.S. Congress for Democrats, I am looking forward to our…

Medicare Fair Drug Pricing Act

AFP

Column by Dr. Raj K. Gandhi The Medicare Fair Drug Pricing Act (MFDPA) must replace the Medicare Drug Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003. Ever since MMA went into effect in 2006 it has cost an additional $40 billion to $75 billion annually and helped the already rich pharmaceutical and insurance industries get even…