Tag: federal
Mark Warner, Rand Paul introduce bill to reduce wasteful end-of-year federal spending
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) have teamed up on a bipartisan proposal to empower federal workers to identify and cut down on unnecessary federal spending.
Attorney General Mark Herring statement on Supreme Court review of marriage equality cases
Attorney General Mark Herring issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to hear four marriage equality cases from the Sixth Circuit.
Warner, Kaine introduce Senate bill to require two-year federal budgeting
U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have introduced the bipartisan Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2015 in an effort to reform Congress’ budgeting process.
Mark Herring on State Senate immigrant tuition bill
Attorney General Mark Herring issued a statement on a Senate bill that would take away in-state tuition from students who have been declared “lawfully present” through acceptance into the federal “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” program.
Robert Hurt bill to encourage small public company growth passes House
Congressman Robert Hurt released a statement after the House passage of H.R. 37, Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, which removes unnecessary federal regulations hindering job growth.
Warner, Kaine applaud $18M in USDA funding for Chesapeake Bay projects
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) applauded U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that Virginia projects will receive over $18 million for Chesapeake Bay restoration.
Remarks by House Speaker Bill Howell on the 2015 General Assembly Session
Text of remarks from House Speaker Bill Howell on the opening of the 2015 Virginia General Assembly session.
Robert Hurt votes for House transparency legislation
Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 185, the Regulatory Accountability Act.
Governor McAuliffe announces federal approval, launch of Governor’s Access Plan
Governor Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday announced the launch of the Governor’s Access Plan, or GAP, which will provide vital medical and behavioral health services for 20,000 individuals who have a serious mental illness and are uninsured.
Robert Hurt: Advancing solutions for a stronger America
It is my hope that our colleagues in the Senate will take up the good bills coming out of the House and join us in advancing policies to build a stronger America for our children and grandchildren.
Virginia government revenues up sharply in December
Governor McAuliffe announced today that December revenue collections for Virginia state government posted strong gains.
Sen. Warner urges banking regulators to address consumer financial protections
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who chaired the first congressional hearing after the 2013 data breach at Target, sent a letter to federal banking regulators today questioning the lack of follow-up to better protect consumers.
Unleash the hounds: Bob McDonnell, oppo research and Richmond
Bob McDonnell is about to pull two years of hard time in a federal prison for accepting loans and gifts from a political benefactor.
Ken Plum: Legislative redistricting remains an issue
Just last month a panel appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to look at ethics issues in state government recommended that Virginia establish an independent redistricting commission to draw legislative district lines.
Governor McAuliffe announces veterans and military families legislation
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today a series of legislative proposals aimed at enhancing employment and educational opportunities for Virginia veterans as part of his ongoing effort to build a new Virginia economy.
What are the chances of a successful Bob McDonnell appeal?
Attorneys for former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell are saying they will appeal his convictions on 11 counts in a federal corruption trial that has him headed to prison on Feb. 9. But what are the chances that an appeal can be successful?
Bob Goodlatte: Stopping unconstitutional immigration actions
Congress has not yet agreed on how to reform the immigration system, but the president has decided to ignore the Constitution and alter the law without new statutes. This is a slap in the face of the American people, who voted on November 4th to change the way Washington operates.
Sen. Tim Kaine introduces bill to allow Medicare to negotiate price of prescription drugs
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Budget and Aging Committees, joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and four other colleagues to introduce the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act.
Too much, too little? Two years for Bob McDonnell is about right
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell faced 20 years in prison on his convictions on 11 counts in his federal corruption case.
Two years for Bob McDonnell in federal corruption case
A federal judge has sentenced former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to two years in prison on his convictions in a corruption case, a stunning downfall for a once-rising star in the Republican Party.
ACLU of Virginia applauds attorney general opinion on ICE detainer requests
Attorney General Mark Herring issued an opinion today concluding that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests seek voluntary action by sheriffs, corrections staff, and jail authorities, and, as such, cannot be used to deny someone their liberty.
Del. Sam Rasoul calls for amending U.S., Virginia constitutions to limit corruption
Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke City) has announced that he will call for changes to the constitutions of both the United States and Virginia during the upcoming 2015 General Assembly session. Rasoul aims to restore fairness to elections and end gerrymandering via the legislation.
AFP editor Chris Graham talks Virginia politics on WMAL in Washington, D.C.
Augusta Free Press editor Chris Graham was a guest on Washington, D.C., talk radio station WMAL’s “Drive at Five” with host Larry O’Connor on Friday to discuss the latest developments in the upcoming sentencing of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on federal corruption charges.
Randy Forbes: The one New Year’s goal our nation needs
At the beginning of a new year, we stand at the cusp of possibility. We have the chance for a fresh start. And though the start of the New Year may not bring with it a completely blank slate, it at least offers an opportunity to recalibrate.
Robert Hurt: A New Year, a new Congress
As this year comes to a close, so too does the 113th Congress. I believe that we as a country have much to look forward to as a new year and a new 114th Congress begin.
Boost business by raising minimum wage
As a restaurant owner operating in four states and looking to expand, I’m happy to see the minimum wage going up in 21 states to kick off the new year. I’d like to see the federal minimum wage increase as well to benefit business and our economy nationwide.
Ken Plum: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
The editorial in the September 21, 1897 New York Sun, responding to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon who had inquired about whether there was a Santa Claus, has become the most reprinted newspaper editorial, according to the Newseum.
Report: Economy grew 5 percent in third quarter
The economy grew at a heated 5.0 percent rate in the third quarter of 2014, according to a report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis released on Tuesday.
No more tax break Christmas trees
Christmas came early this year to some of Washington’s biggest special-interest groups when Congress passed legislation that was laden like a decorated Christmas tree with some of the finest-looking and most expensive ornaments lobbyists can buy.
ACLU files federal discrimination complaint against Gloucester School Board for bathroom policy
The ACLU and the ACLU of Virginia filed an administrative complaint with the Department of Justice and Department of Education against Gloucester County Public Schools (GCPS) for adopting a bathroom policy that segregates transgender students from using the same restrooms and locker rooms as their peers.
Herring announces $90 million national settlement with T-Mobile
Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced today that he, along with the Attorneys General of the other 49 States and the District of Columbia, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission, have reached a $90 million settlement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. that resolves allegations that T-Mobile placed unauthorized charges for third-party services on consumers’ mobile telephone bills, a practice known as “cramming.”
SELC, Sierra Club seek to end decades of Dominion coal ash pollution into the Elizabeth River
The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the Sierra Club, sent notice to Dominion Virginia Power of their intention to bring suit under the Clean Water Act to clean up leaking coal ash pits at the Chesapeake Energy Center (CEC) on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia.
UVA economists shine new light on effectiveness of vocational rehab programs
A new $2.5 million federal grant will support two University of Virginia economists and a team of colleagues who are revolutionizing how to measure the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation services.
Herring launches statewide human trafficking awareness campaign
Attorney General Mark Herring today launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness in Virginia of human trafficking and resources available to victims.
Ken Plum: On the agenda for the Virginia General Assembly
One of the most frequently asked questions of me this time of year is, “What will the General Assembly be doing when it meets?”
Appeals court rejects Pittsylvania County appeal in government prayer case
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit today unanimously dismissed Pittsylvania County’s appeal from a lower court order prohibiting the Board of Supervisors from opening its meetings with Christian prayers offered by Board members.
Elizabeth Dillon confirmed for federal judgeship in Western Virginia
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded the Senate’s confirmation of Elizabeth Dillon on Tuesday to serve as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia.
$2.6 million federal grant to develop new statewide healthcare model
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Tuesday that Virginia has been awarded a $2.6 million federal grant to develop new statewide healthcare models.
VEDP is No. 2 in Top 10 state economic development organization ranking for 2014
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) received the No. 2 spot in The American Economic Development Institute and Pollina Corporate Real Estate’s Top 10 State Economic Development Organizations ranking for 2014.
UVA rated in top 5 percent nationally for breastfeeding care
A federal survey ranked UVA Medical Center in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationally for its support of breastfeeding.
State Corporation Commission sets workers compensation premium level adjustments
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved revisions to the premium levels charged for workers’ compensation insurance in Virginia.
Kaine, Warner praise Virginia priorities in House spending bill
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Saturday night’s Senate passage of the compromise spending legislation for fiscal year 2015.
Bob Goodlatte: Countering Senate inaction
Due to Senate inaction, Congress was forced at the last minute to take steps to fund the government through the current fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2015.
Governor McAuliffe selected to head Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council
Governor Terry McAuliffe will assume the chairmanship of the Chesapeake Executive Council beginning January 1, 2015.
Warner, Kaine announce $20M in funding for Wallops Flight Facility
Sen. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine confirmed today that compromise spending legislation for fiscal year 2015 includes $20 million in funding for Wallops Flight Facility.
Governor McAuliffe signs Executive Order 36, creating Virginia’s first Green Community Program
Governor McAuliffe today signed Executive Order 36, authorizing the creation of Virginia’s first Green Community Program.
Sen. Warner statement on award of $17.5M federal preschool grant
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner released this statement today following the announcement that Virginia will receive a $17.5 million Preschool Development Expansion Grant to serve children in 11 Virginia school divisions.
Tim Kaine applauds federal preschool expansion grant
Tim Kaine comments on a grant that will allow Virginia to increase the number of children served in state-funded preschool programs by 17 percent.
Governor McAuliffe announces $17.5 million federal preschool expansion grant
Virginia has been awarded a $17.5 million federal Preschool Expansion Grant that will allow the Commonwealth to serve as many as 1,600 additional at-risk four-year-olds in new, high-quality preschool classes.
ACLU responds to Gloucester School Board decision on transgender students
The Gloucester School Board voted Tuesday to accept a policy that will discriminate against transgender students.
Protests: A waste of time?
People are gathering in cities across the country – New York City, Washington, Berkeley – to protest decisions by grand juries in Missouri and Staten Island against bringing back indictments in cases in which cops were responsible for the deaths of unarmed petty-crime suspects.
Robert Hurt: Reform the tax code to stimulate growth
Our nation’s outdated and complicated tax code is a perfect example of the federal government standing in the way of strengthening our economy for our nation’s families and small businesses.
Former Ocwen mortgage borrowers to begin receiving settlement payments
More than 2,300 Virginia borrowers who were harmed by the mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices of Ocwen Financial Corporation will begin receiving checks of approximately $1,150.
Randy Forbes: Is your identity safe this holiday season?
When busy shopping malls were the primary way to shop during the holiday season, lines wrapped around the stores and the biggest security concern was to make sure you didn’t leave your purse or wallet unattended while you reached into your cart or put bags in your car.
Ken Plum: Taxes
Governor Terry McAuliffe will address the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on December 17 in a statutorily required report on the state’s finances.
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