Tag: General Assembly
House GOP kills its own bill allowing guns in churches
Following the release of a poll showing broad public support for reasonable gun reform measures, House Republicans today killed a bill that would have repealed a statutory prohibition on guns and other dangerous weapons in places of worship.
Ken Plum: Keeping tabs on the Commonwealth
Last week I attended my first meeting as a member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).
Virginia Chamber of Commerce names Steve Landes Legislator of the Year
Del. Steve Landes was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for his work in the 2016 General Assembly session.
Ken Plum: Racial diversity in the Virginia justice system
The General Assembly continues to fail to appoint racially diverse judicial candidates.
Ken Plum: Reconvened Session 2016
The General Assembly met in a reconvened, day-long session to consider vetoes and amendments made by Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Ken Plum: A circus in Richmond
Ringling Brothers moved into the Richmond Coliseum at the same time last week that the General Assembly concluded its annual meeting.
General Assembly passes two-year state budget, adjourns ahead of schedule
Virginia House Republican leaders commented on the adjournment of the 2016 General Assembly session after lawmakers passed a two-year state budget.
Direct primary care agreements pass General Assembly
The Senate passed a blll that defines direct primary care agreements as medical service agreements outside the scope of state regulation.
Creigh Deeds: One week to go in Virginia General Assembly
With one week before the scheduled adjournment of March 12, the 2016 General Assembly is nearing completion on all major issues.
McAuliffe letter on the General Assembly budget proposals
Governor Terry McAuliffe has presented a letter to General Assembly money committee chairmen and the budget conferees.
Senate votes to raise felony larceny threshold
The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill to raise the threshold for felony larceny from $200 to $500.
Ken Plum: General Assembly session underway
After the usual business of organizing for a new legislative session, the General Assembly got underway without major incident.
Mark Obenshain: General Assembly update
Last Wednesday, on the coldest day in Richmond of the very New Year, the General Assembly began its 2016 session.
Creigh Deeds: Virginia General Assembly session over before it began
The 2015 Special Session of the General Assembly was over before it began.
Ken Plum: What else was done in the 2015 Virginia General Assembly?
Previous columns have focused on major legislation passed in the 2015 General Assembly session, but this column will describe other legislation that passed.
Ken Plum: Electricity will be cheaper and cheaper
Under a bill passed by the General Assembly in the 2015 session and signed by the Governor, the cost of electricity in Virginia will go down next month, and the base rate of electricity will be frozen for the next five years.
Creigh Deeds: 2015 General Assembly review
The 2015 Session of the General Assembly is history. While we passed over 1500 bills and resolutions, the Session will be remembered for a handful of things including reforming the transportation funding formula, adopting a new ethics bill that changes very little, and adjourning a day early.
Ken Plum: Behind a single vote
I have been pleased to work over many years to make the legislative process transparent in order that citizens can understand what is behind a single vote.
Mark Obenshain: 2015 General Assembly session review
The 2015 edition of the Virginia General Assembly came to end a day earlier than expected, with the Senate and House both adjourning Sine Die late Friday evening.
Creigh Deeds: Virginia General Assembly update
The 46-day General Assembly session is moving rapidly. Subcommittees and committees are meeting around the clock, which leaves little time for reflection.
The General Assembly is under way: The political posturing begins
The 2015 Virginia General Assembly is under way in Richmond. With legislative elections looming in November, will lawmakers achieve anything of substance, or will the session be about political posturing with control of the General Assembly the prize?
Mark Obenshain: The governor is at it again
Last night, both chambers of the General Assembly convened with other government leaders to hear the Governor deliver the annual “State of the Commonwealth” address.
Democrats win battles: But Virginia Republicans win the war
Watching the State of the Commonwealth address with the sound down, one thing was obvious during the cutaway shots on applause lines during Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s speech.
Ken Plum: Virginia General Assembly session under way
The General Assembly convened for its annual session on January 14. Although the session scheduled to adjourn at the end of February is termed “the short session,” it will have a full agenda of opportunities and challenges.
House Speaker Howell announces changes to standing committees of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) on Wednesday announced changes to the standing committees of the Virginia House of Delegates for the remainder of the 2014-2015 General Assembly.
