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Gov. Bob McDonnell announced an additional $4.1 million in Community Development Block Grants for four projects in Virginia. The seven community improvement projects are in addition to the $6.8 million of funding provided this year. During this year’s competitive cycle, 35 proposals were submitted by 34 localities, and 11 projects received the initial funding.
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In August, fast food workers walked off the job in 50 U.S. cities, demanding a raise to $15 an hour. The strikes touched off a national debate about raising wage floors. People who are working full-time should earn enough to be able to make ends meet. A living wage is a basic American value.
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Gov. Bob McDonnell announced more than $2 million in Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants for five projects in Virginia. The IRF program provides gap financing for construction projects aligned with local and regional economic development strategies, primarily in distressed communities.
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The Virginia General Assembly session gets under way on Jan. 8, but a great amount of groundwork goes into preparing for it. Beyond taking care of our personal and family responsibilities in December, legislators are rushing to survey constituents on their issues and concerns, get bills drafted and move to Richmond for at least 60 days starting in January.
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Gov. Bob McDonnell announced budget proposals today to expand crisis response and crisis prevention services for Virginia’s behavioral health system. The governor’s proposals would infuse $38.3 million over the biennium into critical mental health and substance-use disorder programs.
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Gov. Bob McDonnell will recommend substantial new state investments in the areas of prisoner re-entry and restoration of rights when he puts forward his two-year spending plan for the Commonwealth next Monday. The governor has put a focus on the two policy areas over the last four years, establishing Virginia’s first-ever prisoner re-entry statewide plan.
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Gov. Bob McDonnell today announced that his upcoming budget will contain considerable new funding to support Virginia’s ongoing homelessness reduction and prevention efforts. The governor will call for over $9.5 million in additional funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, the Rapid Re-Housing Program, and efforts to further enhance data collection.
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U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) introduced the Servicemember Education Reform and Vocational Enhancement (SERVE) Act of 2013, a bill to improve the quality of educational programs for servicemembers and veterans and help them transition into the civilian workforce.
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Last month, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to former Captain William D. Swenson, United States Army, for heroism and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in the Battle of the Ganjgal Valley on Sept. 8, 2009. At the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we are honored to walk amongst, as well as work with, such heroes every day.
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U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after Fannie Mae reported earnings of $8.7 billion and Freddie Mac reported $30.4 billion in profits in the third quarter.
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