Share
“Big Bird needs to be pushed out of the nest.” That’s from Colorado Republican Doug Lamborn, who is leading the push in the Republican House to defund public broadcasting once and for all. Interesting tactic from the GOP: trying to talk up how the public can’t afford and doesn’t need public broadcasting in today’s media…
Share
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., yesterday joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to introduce legislation that would repeal the 45-cent-per gallon subsidy for corn ethanol blenders, saving the nation approximately $6 billion a year. The bill also lowers the tariff on imported ethanol to match the 45-cent-per gallon subsidy that will remain in place for non-corn, second…
Share
Harrisonburg City Council Tuesday night passed an ordinance offering a 100 percent exemption from local taxes for solar power installations, helping the city to join 13 other localities in Virginia that offer a 100 percent exemption for developers and homeowners to install solar power in their communities. The ordinance, passed by a 4-1 vote, exempts…
Share
While the recent February jobs report issued by the Department of Labor suggests some welcome signs of improvement, our national unemployment rate still remains unacceptably high and our economic recovery still has a long way to go. The House has taken several steps to remove the barriers to job growth by remaining committed to cutting…
Share
The 2001-2011 class of Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute will hold a three day training session in Staunton March 16-18. The meeting is the fourth of six sessions held throughout the year, at locations across the state. Focus of discussion during the session will include sustainable agriculture, nutrient management planning, community food systems, concepts of…
Share
Local cooperatives are offering to help you work your way out of those winter doldrums. The event is called Beat The Blahs. Friendly City Food Co-op, Park View Credit Union and the Little Grill are all cooperatives working together for the community to help beat the winter “blahs” this month. Join the event at the…
Share
And the winner is … well, more on that in a minute. The big news with the online poll to name the newest environmental ambassador at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro is that the effort was apparently hacked. The votes – the legitimate ones, at least – eventually came down in favor of…
Share
A coalition of Virginia groups are taking issue with Gov. Bob McDonnell’s support for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s push for legislation that would cripple public-sector employee unions in that state. The coalition sent McDonnell a letter Wednesday morning expressing solidarity with those protesting in Wisconsin and highlighting that Gov. Walker is not to be commended…
Share
Are you clued in to the current slashing and burning going on in Washington? The new Congress is trying to settle on a federal budget that should have been voted on last fall. President Obama unveiled his idea for the next budget on Monday. How do you think they are setting priorities? After all, our…
Share
This past week, the House debated HR 1, the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act. This bill would fund the government through September 30th of this year at $100 billion less than the amount President Obama requested in his Fiscal Year 2011 budget. Given the current fiscal crisis that faces the Fifth District and the nation,…
Local news is in “serious jeopardy,” according to experts. Pitch in and help AFP continue to deliver news to the Valley, Virginia and beyond.