Governor Bob McDonnell has been releasing his budget proposals over the last few days. Yesterday, he announced his proposal that all workers contribute 5% of their salaries to the state's retirement plan. As The Virginian-Pilot reported, the state has been making this contribution on behalf of the employees since 1983, when it did so in … Continue reading 5% to retirement? Not gonna happen
Category: Local
Norfolk officials knew of LR overruns
Color me surprised - NOT! City Manager Regina V.K. Williams, former City Councilman W. Randy Wright and Assistant City Manager Stanley A. Stein knew about overruns and did not immediately divulge that information, the audit says. I've spent some time reading the report. It is damning. That so many players in this fiasco are no … Continue reading Norfolk officials knew of LR overruns
Northam announces re-election run
Senator Ralph Northam announced today that he will seek a second term in the Virginia Senate. In his newsletter to constituents, of which I am one, the first term Democrat says that while some things have been accomplished, there is still work to be done. I want to help solve these problems for our region … Continue reading Northam announces re-election run
Mayor’s presentation on transportation
Last week, Norfolk's Mayor Paul Fraim made a presentation to Norfolk civic league presidents on transportation. The video of the event is here and is about 30 minutes long. On that same day, The Virginian-Pilot had a lead story which included the picture to the left (click to enlarge) which graphically demonstrates the transportation woes … Continue reading Mayor’s presentation on transportation
HRT kept true light rail costs secret
This is beyond believable: Months before signing legal documents assuring federal officials they could build light rail for $232 million, Hampton Roads Transit leaders knew it would actually cost tens of millions of dollars more, a new state investigation reveals. In fact, HRT senior officials maintained a separate, internal accounting of light rail costs that … Continue reading HRT kept true light rail costs secret
Part of health care law ruled unconstitutional
Judge Henry Hudson ruled today that the portion of the health care reform bill that requires individuals to purchase insurance is unconstitutional. In a 42-page opinion (below the fold) the judge ordered that part severed from the bill. With the contrary rulings by judges in Lynchburg and in Michigan, the final determination will ultimately be … Continue reading Part of health care law ruled unconstitutional
Funnies in the Pilot
And they weren't on the comics page 😉 First up is this op-ed from Daryl Lease. "We join the Bush tax-cut negotiations, already in progress ..." Lease, once again, nails it. Then we have Kerry Dougherty taking on the Norfolk Council newbies. "... it's obvious that Councilman Tommy Smigiel doesn't know his place. Neither does … Continue reading Funnies in the Pilot
Marshal some courage on Dillon Rule
My latest column, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday (and made it to the Whipple Clips this morning - a first 😉 ). I found it interesting that the Governor's Commission on Government Reform & Restructuring was limited in its ability to review the Dillon Rule. Seems to me that if you are serious … Continue reading Marshal some courage on Dillon Rule
Profiles in courage
Cowardly Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes … Continue reading Profiles in courage
Moran elected DPVA chair
As you all know by now, this past Saturday, the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia elected Brian Moran as chairman. I did manage to broadcast live the events of the day. If you missed it, you can watch here. The speeches prior to the vote start at about the 19:00 mark. Congratulations … Continue reading Moran elected DPVA chair
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 