As a former employee - I spent six years there in the early 1980s - I hate to see the IRS in a bad light. The organization takes more hits than it deserves, but this time, the hit is well deserved. No way the IRS should be targeting a specific group of entities. Others have … Continue reading The IRS mess
Another public hearing is scheduled for tonight (6pm, Granby HS) for Norfolk residents. This hearing will cover the additional two-cent increase in the real estate tax rate. Combined, Norfolk's rate will rise by four cents, to $1.15 per $100 of assessed value. I plan to attend, if for no other reason than to hear what … Continue reading Norfolk public hearing tonight
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 ICYMI: Showing up at decision time
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 GOP Senate election tonight
According to The Virginian-Pilot's Jill Nolan, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim has the five votes necessary for an 4-cent increase in the real estate tax rate. I guess we can't complain - Hampton is looking at as much as a 23-cent increase. I'm not completely sold on the need for the additional two cents, although I … Continue reading Norfolk heading for a 4-cent increase in real estate tax rate
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 ICYMI: The end of tax-free sales online
Norfolk held a hearing tonight on the proposed 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate for school construction. Hearing from the parents of children in our schools, most notably Larchmont and Ocean View Elementary Schools, was just heart-wrenching. How our schools ended up in such disrepair is beyond me. None of the speakers were … Continue reading But it’s for the children!
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Friday. Of all 43 speakers at last Wednesday's public hearing on the budget, it was the comments of longtime civic activist, Alton Robinson, that resonated the most. Either council is unaware - or doesn't care - that the optics of putting $89 million into the … Continue reading ICYMI: Leaders in reverse
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 VA Guv candidates’ taxes
The public hearing on the Norfolk budget will be at 6pm tonight at Granby High School. Be there!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 