Author: Vivian J. Paige

A former candidate, I've learned a lot about politics, both good and bad. I'd prefer more of the former and a lot less of the latter and I'm trying to do my part!

SB 1168: Court-appointed compensation

According to the Virginia Fair Trial Project (formerly the Virginia Indigent Defense Coalition), Virginia provides the lowest compensation for court-appointed attorneys in the country. A court appointed attorney in Circuit Court is paid a maximum of $158 for a misdemeanor punishable by confinement, $1,235 for a felony punishable by more than 20 years confinement, and … Continue reading SB 1168: Court-appointed compensation →

Action needed before Friday

Got an email last night regarding proposed cuts to the FFELP program. It seems that there are those who want to reduce this successful private-public partnership and replace it with increases in the Direct Loan program, which relies on the federal treasury as a source of funds. This makes no sense to me. I'm told … Continue reading Action needed before Friday →

FL governor: voting paper trails

Florida Governor Charlie Crist would like to do away with touch screen voting machines and replace them with ones that generate a paper trail. Ensuring the integrity of elections is the cornerstone of any democracy, he said. "It's at the very foundation of it all. You go to an ATM machine, you get some kind … Continue reading FL governor: voting paper trails →

And we lose another

JC Wilmore, of The Richmond Democrat, announced in this post that he will no longer be blogging. The ranks of the blogsphere are thinning - rapidly. Good luck with your new job, JC.

Floor-Flippers

From Assembly Access: This year’s increased scrutiny of committee meetings has created an interesting new creature in the House of Delegates - the “Floor Flipper.” Floor Flippers vote for a bill in committee (often overwhelmingly), but later vote against the same bill when it arrives on the House floor. Now we know why they don't … Continue reading Floor-Flippers →

Diocese sues breakaway churches

Not unexpected, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has sued the eleven churches who voted to leave the denomination: The diocese filed 11 separate suits against the clergy and lay leaders of Truro Church in Fairfax, the Falls Church in Falls Church, Christ the Redeemer in Centreville, Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, Church of the … Continue reading Diocese sues breakaway churches →

Norfolk real estate tax relief coming

According to the Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim will be announcing a "significant reduction" in the real estate tax rate at tomorrow's State of the City Address. The remarks were made in conjunction with a hearing on SB899, a bill sponsored by Nick Rerras (R-6th), which the Pilot reports was tabled yesterday. This bill would … Continue reading Norfolk real estate tax relief coming →

VA Senate unanimously passes minimum wage bill

SB1327 passed by a unanimous vote in the Senate today. The bill raises the minimum wage to $6.50 per hour, effective 7/1/07. Weighing in on its passage was House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran, whose own bill to increase the minimum wage was defeated last week: “Increasing the minimum wage is a way to … Continue reading VA Senate unanimously passes minimum wage bill →

Not that I was voting for him, anyway

Some folks never know when to shut up. Exhibit A: Joe Biden: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.” As if this wasn't enough. From my favorite quotes page: “It is better to keep your … Continue reading Not that I was voting for him, anyway →