Virginia
ICYMI: Showing up at decision time
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. In hindsight, I think it was appropriate in light of yesterday’s firehouse primary in the 14th Senate, won by Del. John Cosgrove. According to VPAP, there are 124,202 registered voters in the 14th. Using the results from 2012, I’d venture to say that roughly 60% … Continue reading
GOP Senate election tonight
Three Republican candidates square off tonight in a primary for the Virginia Senate seat in the 14th district. The retirement of Harry Blevins opened up the seat, which will be contested in a special election on August 6. The three candidates are Del. John Cosgrove, activist Chris Stearns, and former Chesapeake council candidate Bill Haley. … Continue reading
ICYMI: The end of tax-free sales online
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-PIlot Friday. The U.S. Senate is expected to take up the Marketplace Fairness Act today. Most expect it will pass. While the House of Representatives is another hurdle, I’ll go out on a limb and say that it will pass there, too. The states are hurting and … Continue reading
Cumberland County schools receive waiver from SOL reading test
Cumberland County schools has received a waiver of SOL reading score requirements from the Commonwealth Department of Education as part of a move to receive federal funds to try raising the scores. A Reading Specialist is now at the Cumberland Elementary School to begin teaching in the effort.
Immigrant prison Cuccinelli helped still looking for escapee
The Immigration Centers of America facility in Farmville was missing two of their detainees earlier this week. As of this writing, there is still one missing. This is the facility that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli bragged about not too long ago at a Chamber of Commerce lunch in Farmville. Instead of being part of the … Continue reading
Cumberland Supervisor sued by constituents over back taxes, Judge recuses self
Cumberland County 5th District Supervisor Parker Wheeler is being sued by his 5th District constituents over a delinquent tax bill that came to light earlier this year. A retired judge from the 14th Circuit Court has been appointed after the judge from the 10th Circuit Court recused himself and the rest of the judges on … Continue reading
Cuccinelli brags about “cutting red tape” for Farmville immigrant prison
(Some of the following information comes from a newspaper report in the Farmville Herald.) During remarks to the Farmville Chamber of Commerce recently, candidate for Governor Ken Cuccinelli claimed to have some influence in “cutting red tape” for the immigrant detention center/prison built in Farmville a few years ago. “He went to the head of … Continue reading
VA Guv candidates’ taxes
You know it’s silly season when the gubernatorial candidates for governor are talking about their personal taxes. What relevance, exactly, do personal income tax returns have to the ability to serve as governor? Absolutely none. But if you have nothing to say, I guess it makes for an easy diversion. And that’s exactly what we … Continue reading
Battle over getting a slice of Federal employees health care dollars heats up
Kaiser Health Foundation wrote recently that two of the largest providers of health insurance to federal employees, retirees and dependents are in a battle to scoop as many people up as they can in an effort to increase profit, I am sure. Also, Obamacare is changing the way things are done, and insurers are ready … Continue reading
AAAU publishes gender gap statistics by state
The American Association of University Women (AAAU) has published a set of statistics on the subject of the gender gap in pay in this country. The figure for Virginia (pdf) is 78 cents on the dollar. That’s $0.78 earned by a woman while a man earned a dollar. For doing the same work. The most … Continue reading
Finding that elusive line
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. One of the many things on my mind of late is why people behave the way they do. I’ve come to the conclusion that at least some of that behavior is rooted in the lack of ethics, a personal code that tells us what is … Continue reading
GA back in session today
The General Assembly is back in session today, taking up bills that have recommendations from Governor Bob McDonnell. The list of bills can be found here. The budget bill, for example, contains 52 amendments. Some of the bill amendments have gotten significant play, like this one that provides that insurers offering policies through the health … Continue reading
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