Poverty task force presents report

Contributors

   Staff Report News tips: [email protected] Gov. Tim Kaine today received the recommendations of Virginia’s Poverty Reduction Task Force, a collection of public- and private-sector partners tasked with making policy recommendations to combat poverty in the Commonwealth. The task force, co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn B. Tavenner and Richmond attorney Robert…

Petersen: Car-tax cut not a ‘mistake’

Chris Graham

Democrat critical of Kaine on car tax; will push gas-tax index to boost transportation dollars Story by Chris Graham [email protected] Remember how upset Fairfax Democrat Chap Petersen was right after Gov. Tim Kaine proposed last month to replace the car-tax relief program that dates back to the administration of Jim Gilmore with a 1 percent…

IDA taps developer on Western State project

Contributors

Staunton Gateway Partners to work with city Staff Report News Tips: [email protected] The Staunton Industrial Development Authority took the next step toward the future redevelopment of the Western State Hospital property by designating a preferred developer for the property and authorizing the company to undertake preliminary development activities. In preparation to acquire and redevelop the…

The right to vote

Contributors

Groups urge Kaine to restore voting rights for ex-felons Staff Report News Tips: [email protected] Ten Virginia civil-rights and faith-based groups have joined together to ask Gov. Tim Kaine to issue an executive order that would restore voting rights to most or all of Virginia’s 300,000 individuals who are being denied the right to vote because…

Biscuit Run to become state park

Contributors

Former largest planned development in Albemarle history to be preserved as open space Staff Report News Tips: [email protected] Gov. Tim Kaine on Wednesday announced the purchase of approximately 1,200 acres in Albemarle County known as “Biscuit Run” to be held by the state as a site for a future state park. “When developed as a…

The Rant | Free market forces, sure

Chris Graham

    Video Essay by Chris Graham [email protected] Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine wrote this week in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that the payday-loan industry is “an obvious consequence of free market forces responding to consumer demand.” AFP editor Chris Graham points out other examples of free-market forces responding to consumer demand that are just as…

McDonnell: Current state-budget system ‘needs to be reformed’

Chris Graham

Gov.-elect will propose moving development of budget to odd-numbered years Statement by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell www.bobmcdonnell.com On Friday, Dec. 18th, Gov. Tim Kaine proposed his biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. The governor made his proposal with only 28 days left in his single four-year term, carrying out his obligation as determined by…

Two surprises in McDonnell appointments

Chris Graham

Gov.-elect appoints former Bolling rival, Kaine holdover to Cabinet posts Story by Chris Graham [email protected] A former political rival to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and a holdover from the outgoing administration of Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine highlight the Cabinet appointments announced today by Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell. McDonnell appointed Sean Connaughton, former chairman of the…

Focus | No car tax, but yes, local income tax?

Chris Graham

Kaine gets heat for controversial proposed switch Story by Chris Graham [email protected] Goodbye, No Car Tax. Hello, New Local Income Tax. Tim Kaine didn’t exactly say it that way, but that was the sum effect. “Let’s keep the promise. Let’s get rid of the car tax on personal vehicles completely, but do it the right…

Winter Storm News Blog

Chris Graham

The latest on how the winter storm is impacting the Valley Staff Report Submit weather-related news and cancellations: [email protected] The Latest News – Tonight’s UVa.-UNCW game postponed (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.) – Road information on 511Virginia.org (Saturday, 9:15 a.m.) – JMU-Radford basketball game postponed (Friday, 10:10 p.m.) – Coachmen concert scheduled for tonight postponed (Friday, 5:40…