Report: Link between sprawl, transportation issues, housing affordability

AFP

Housing affordability is a critical challenge throughout Virginia—a challenge heightened by the recent recession and continuing economic turmoil, as well as problems with transportation and sprawl development, according to a report released today by Housing Virginia and the Southern Environmental Law Center. In addition to examining these problems, the organizations outline a range of practical,…

David Cox: ‘No’ on a worthy sentiment, bad law

David Cox

When I come to the second of three amendments to the Virginia constitution on next Tuesday’s ballot, I hope I don’t punch a hole in the machine when I vote “No.” This proposal aims to help disabled veterans by exempting them from property tax. How could anyone oppose so worthy, so charitable a goal for…

McDonnell: Concerns over reliability of federal documents leads to suspension

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend acceptance of the federally-issued Employment Authorization Document (I-766) as proof of legal presence in the United States, a condition of obtaining a driver’s license or identification card in Virginia. The action, according to the governor’s office, is the result of concerns over…

Rights groups urge feds to reject 287(g)

Chris Graham

A coalition of faith groups, civil and human rights organizations, and government officials have asked the Department of Homeland Security to reject Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to allow the Virginia Department of State Police to enter into a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A 287(g) agreement, named after a provision of federal…

DREAM Act rally to greet McDonnell

Chris Graham

Members of a Valley-based group will greet Gov. Bob McDonnell on his way to his town-hall meeting at James Madison University in Harrisonburg on Thursday to voice their disapproval of the Republican’s stance on immigration. “We believe that immigration is a federal issue, and that politicians such as Ken Cuccinelli and Gov. McDonnell should be…

Ken Plum: Enforcing immigration laws

Ken Plum

With the wide publicity the Arizona law has received requiring police to question people if there is reason to suspect they are in the United States illegally, the Police Foundation distributed to state legislators the results of a study it had conducted on the issue. As the president of the Foundation explained in his transmittal…

ACLU: Don’t follow Cuccinelli’s advice on immigration

Chris Graham

The ACLU of Virginia on Wednesday sent a letter to Virginia police chiefs and sheriffs telling them not to follow a recent opinion from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on investigating immigration status, because the opinion is legally faulty and would lead to adverse public safety consequences. The ruling, the ACLU notes in the letter, ignores…