House GOP Caucus talks jobs, economic development

AFP

On Monday the House Republican Caucus held its first weekly Policy Work Group press conference, highlighting various job creation and economic development initiatives. Following the press conference, the Policy Work Group issued the following statement: “We were excited to host our first weekly Policy Work Group press conference this morning,” said Del. Chris Peace (R-Hanover)…

McDonnell announces initiative to eliminate state mandates on localities

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell, joined by members of the Governor’s Task Force for Local Government Mandate Review, today announced specific legislation to eliminate burdensome state mandates on localities. Today’s announcement is part of a continuing effort to reduce burdensome state mandates on localities. In September 2011, McDonnell announced the creation of the Governor’s Task Force for…

Karen Kwiatkowski: Agenda 21 is not conservative – will Rep. Goodlatte take note?

AFP

On Jan. 14, 2012, the Republican National Committee unanimously voted to expose and condemn the United Nations Agenda 21. This may be a shock to many GOP incumbents in Congress who receive campaign donations, pre-drafted legislation, and “expert” advice from Agenda 21-inspired advocates of centralized and global human management. The RNC resolution explains Agenda 21…

Gateway features Fatty Lumpkin

AFP

WTA’s January Mojo Saturday Nite with Bluesman Kevin Chisnell will feature the rock and blues band Fatty Lumpkin and the Love Hogs.  Also appearing will be James Painteer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist.  The Jan. 21 Blues performance will be at WTA’s Gateway Theatre in Downtown Waynesboro at 8 p.m. Fatty Lumpkin and the Love Hogs…

Andy Schmookler: People Power can defeat the Money Power

AFP

With my campaign to unseat the 20-year incumbent and rubber-stamp Republican Bob Goodlatte, we have an opportunity to achieve something of real importance, something that reverberates far beyond our Sixth District in Virginia. Sure, it’s true, as the newspapers like to point out, it’s an uphill fight. Sure, my opponent will far outspend me. Sure,…

Creigh Deeds: General Assembly Report

Creigh Deeds

The 2012 Session of the General Assembly got off to an inauspicious start. Precedent was ignored and the 60 day session began under the shadow of a lawsuit. A brief explanation: Twice before, houses of the Virginia General Assembly have been evenly divided. In 1996 the Senate was divided, 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. In…

EMU women go to 11-1

AFP

The EMU women have done it again. As is starting to become common, the Royals ended the game on a big run, taking an impressive 60-50 win from ODAC-leader Guilford Saturday afternoon in Harrisonburg. Against the Quakers, who entered on an 11-game winning streak and the last remaining team without a loss in conference play,…

Two announce candidacies for Waynesboro School Board

Chris Graham

Doug Norcross and Dr. Melinda Ferguson announced their candidacies to run for re-election to the Waynesboro School Board in the May 2012 election. Norcross, who represents Ward A on the Board, and his wife, Sue, are active citizens of Waynesboro and are now enjoying retirement. Norcross has three children. He lost his son Kevin to…

Federal judge says state ballot-access law likely unconstitutional

AFP

A Richmond federal judge wrote today that the Virginia law requiring that persons who circulate petitions for primary candidates be state residents is likely to be held unconstitutional. The law was challenged by Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry and three other candidates who were excluded from the Virginia Republican primary ballot when they did not…

State revenues down in December

AFP

Is Gov. Bob McDonnell playing politics with a quirk in the calendar? The governor’s office announced today that December revenue collections decreased by 4.7 percent over the prior year. A press release from the McDonnell office noted calendar abnormalities with December only having four Wednesdays this year versus five Wednesdays last year, with Wednesdays being…