My latest column, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. It was inspired by this Compass piece on the upcoming council elections in Norfolk. Candidates make promises to voters all the time, some big, some small. Rare is the case when there is an effort to track whether they actually keep them. When you combine … Continue reading
Yeah, I know I say every tax season is the worst yet. But this was truly the worst. I’m convinced more than ever that it’s time to make some serious changes to the timing of tax returns. Give the brokerage firms until February 28 to issue their statements, and we’ll avoid all the corrected statements … Continue reading
Due to a holiday in DC, the federal tax filing deadline was moved up a day, to April 17. Oh joy. Unlike most states, Virginia didn’t move its deadline for returns that are due normally on April 15. (Don’t panic – that’s not for individual returns. Those are due May 1.) I’d say this is … Continue reading
SEE UPDATE BELOW When I received the email announcing the press conference – RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R – Stafford) will host a press conference detailing the results of the 2012 Rich States, Poor States survey, an annual assessment by the American Legislative Exchange Council ranking … Continue reading
In these austere times, Suffolk City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn is proposing a budget that includes a raise of 21%. For herself. Nevermind that “Surprising Suffolk,” as it used to be known, is smaller than its neighbors and has fewer employees. Nevermind, even, that the paltry 2% raises for its teachers will likely be scrapped. Nope, … Continue reading
Maria LoPresto’s obituary can be found here. I still can’t believe she’s gone.
Del. Lionell Spruill, Sr. will be hosting one of his infamous pancake breakfasts this coming Saturday, April 14. Former (and future?) gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe will be in attendance along with a slew of other local elected officials. Breakfast is served from 8am-10:30am at the Zulekia Court Building, 641Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake. I know where I … Continue reading
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is holding a pre-veto session reception next Tuesday, April 17. The event will take place from 6pm to 8pm at the Science Museum. RSVP by this Friday, April 13. For obvious reasons, I won’t be there. But I hope the attendees have a good time. And have a drink (or … Continue reading
Suburban Acres Civic League is holding a Ward 6 candidates’ forum Monday, April 9. In addition, there will be two Ward 7 candidate forums Monday as well.
My dear friend and occasional blog contributor, Maria LoPresto, died last night. Details are few at this point but I am told she died in her sleep. Besides being an avid Jimmy Buffet fan, Maria was a dyed-in-the-wool, true blue Democrat. She had been active in the YDs, even serving as a national committee-woman at … Continue reading
I have agreed to be part of a beta test here at wordpress.com for site advertising. This test is different from the advertising which used to appear on this site (that I actually paid to have removed).
My latest op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. In it, I reject the notion that somehow embracing a word that has been used as a slur somehow takes the sting out of it. Not only have I seen little evidence of it, but what I have seen is that doing so gives license to those … Continue reading
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