Category: Local

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 Cuccinelli brags about “cutting red tape” for Farmville immigrant prison →

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 VA Guv candidates’ taxes →

Reminder: Norfolk budget hearing tonight

The public hearing on the Norfolk budget will be at 6pm tonight at Granby High School. Be there!

ICYMI: Norfolk’s 630-page rush

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday.  Norfolk released its budget last Tuesday and the single public hearing on it is coming up this Wednesday evening at 6pm at Granby High School. A separate public hearing will be held on May 1 - same time, same location - to discuss the … Continue reading ICYMI: Norfolk’s 630-page rush →

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 Battle over getting a slice of Federal employees health care dollars heats up →

Norfolk: it’s budget time

City manager Marcus Jones presented his FY 2012 budget to council Tuesday afternoon. The presentation is below. A better copy of the slides used in the presentation can be found here. And the budget itself is here. Council will hold a public hearing on the budget on April 24. Separately, council will hold a public … Continue reading Norfolk: it’s budget time →

Video: Imagine a world without hate

This has to be one of the best videos making the rounds that I've seen in a long time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3KyvlMJefR4

ICYMI: Where was the civic engagement?

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. The topic was the public hearing held Tuesday evening as a part of the Norfolk City Council meeting. I wasn't able to physically be there - because of my teaching schedule this semester - but I rushed home to watch the live stream.(Entire video below.) … Continue reading ICYMI: Where was the civic engagement? →

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 AAAU publishes gender gap statistics by state →

Slow down, Norfolk

I'm not sure what the rush is to sign an agreement to build a hotel-conference center in Norfolk. I mean - it's not as if we haven't already waited ten years for other things to happen, most notably for the market to improve. Tomorrow, Council will hold a public hearing, followed by a vote on … Continue reading Slow down, Norfolk →