Lawmaker Dispatches: Monday, Feb. 15

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Featured: Mary Margaret Whipple, Rob Bell Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple: Crossover www.vasenatedems.com Tomorrow is “crossover day” down here in Richmond, meaning each chamber must act on all pending legislation if they want it considered by the other. Consequently, your Senate Democratic Caucus is working hard to pass our priority legislation and send it to our…

Valley gets $5M for green job training

Chris Graham

   Story by Chris Graham [email protected] Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University are among a group of Shenandoah Valley partners that will take part in a new program to train workers for jobs in the emerging green sector. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb on Friday announced a $5 million investment from…

Fifth District Report

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  Column by Tom Perriello www.periello.house.gov In this economy, every dollar counts — and so does a tax credit worth up to $5,657. Jan. 29 was designated by the Internal Revenue Service as Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day. More than 534,000 Virginia taxpayers took advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and received…

Richmond Reports

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Featured: Del. Bob Marshall, Sen. Robert Hurt, Sen. Walter Stosch Bob Marshall: Virginia, the president and Congress www.delegatebob.com Congress is attempting to make Virginia and other states mere administrative agents for dubious public policies that the Congress either lack the money to enforce or the authority to enact. Congress has seen states pay for the…

Letter | The pols and the BCS

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   Letter from Jack McClenahan, Lyndhurst Submit letters: [email protected] Well, it looks like the politicos in Washington are finally hearing the public outrage on a matter of significant importance. I am not talking about health care, record deficits, high unemployment nor an endless war in the Middle East. I read they are going to possibly…

Senate Democrats work through issues

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   Column by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple www.vasenatedems.com Greetings from Richmond! As the Senate Democratic Caucus begins another lively session of the Virginia General Assembly, we are reminded that every year presents its own challenges and opportunities, and this year should offer plenty of both. As we consider the many bills before us, know that…

The earnings report for Main Street

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   Column by Prakash Laufer Submit guest columns: [email protected] To add insult to injury to working America, in came the earnings reports from Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. At these mega banks, balance sheets are healthy, profits are up and bonuses for top executives are bigger than ever. JPMorgan Chase just reported $11.7 billion in…

In honor of Lilly, take action now to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act

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   Column by Linda Meric Submit guest columns: [email protected] A year ago, dozens of women’s and civil-rights activists gathered at the White House to watch President Barack Obama sign his first piece of legislation into law: the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. The signing was a triumphant moment – especially with its namesake, Lilly…

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber represented at Chamber Day at the Capitol

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   Staff Report News tips: [email protected] The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce made its presence known in Richmond on Wednesday at the annual Virginia Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Day at the Capitol”. Twenty-six Chamber of Commerce and 58 statewide organizations, leadership programs and businesses descended upon the Capitol to express support for business friendly legislation and…

Morton: The strength in our union

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   Column by Feda Morton www.fedaforcongress.com Wednesday night in President Obama’s lengthy State of the Union address he declared our union to be “strong”. I take issue with that. I do believe the resolve of hard working Americans is strong. I believe in the strength of the voices of the voters of Massachusetts in last…