Norfolk developers want city guarantee: Tivest officials want the city to guarantee 65 percent of rent payments for space the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project will lease. The guarantee would kick in only if STOP could not pay its rent.STOP, a private social services provider funded largely with government dollars, would pay annual rents of more … Continue reading Just say no
Category: Politics
Useless redistricting commission
According to The Washington Post, Governor Bob McDonnell is appointing a bipartisan redistricting commission. Good, right? Well... Rather than proposing legislation to establish the commission and give it legal teeth, as other states have done, he is creating it by executive order and giving it only an advisory role. The 11-member commission, equipped with neither … Continue reading Useless redistricting commission
No words
I have been glued to the TV and computer for the last few hours since getting a phone call from a friend urging me to turn on the TV. The shooting in Arizona of Rep. Gabby Giffords and others is almost beyond belief. The Congresswoman is expected to survive but five six others, including a … Continue reading No words
JFCOM gone?
Announced today: Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday he will cut $78 billion from the Pentagon's budget in the next five years — money that will come from shrinking the military's ground force, increasing health care premiums for troops and other politically unpopular cost-saving measures. Not specifically mentioned was Joint Forces Command, which is located … Continue reading JFCOM gone?
Redistricting seminar Friday
Sorry for the late notice on this but there will be a Redistricting Seminar tomorrow morning in Fairfax. Date: January 7, 2011 Time: 10am - 12pm. Registration begins at 9:30am Place: Fairfax Government Center, The Auditorium, 12000 Fairfax Government Center Parkway The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to RedistrictingSeminar@gmail.com From the … Continue reading Redistricting seminar Friday
Leadership without labels
The above is the title of my latest op-ed, which appeared in Wednesday's The Virginian-Pilot. The "No Labels" movement is about getting things done. It's not about setting aside party but setting aside partisanship. To be perfectly honest, while I find the idea appealing, I just don't see it happening. Our system - at the … Continue reading Leadership without labels
Phil Hamilton indicted
Woah: Former state Del. Phil Hamilton has been indicted on charges of bribery and extortion by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced. Hamilton solicited a job at Old Dominion University while simultaneously seeking state funding for the ODU program. I have to say that I'm surprised - it's been a long time … Continue reading Phil Hamilton indicted
Sen. Miller to have surgery, miss part of session
Senator Yvonne B. Miller (D-Norfolk) will miss part of the upcoming General Assembly session, according to a press release from the Senate Democratic Caucus. Miller is scheduled to have surgery on January 12. Sources tell me that the Senator had a fender bender last month and that the surgery is the result of something discovered … Continue reading Sen. Miller to have surgery, miss part of session
Virginia Legislative Black Caucus reception
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is hosting its 2nd Annual Capital City Reception this coming Monday, January 10, 2011, from 6pm to 8pm. The event will be held at the Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street in Richmond. Sponsorships are available, individual admission is $100. RSVP to Adisa Muse at 804.721.5011 or by email. … Continue reading Virginia Legislative Black Caucus reception
Gear retires
Del. Tom Gear, whose 91st House of Delegates district covers the city of Poquoson plus parts of Hampton and York County, has resigned effective today, citing health problems. Gear said his own battle with multiple sclerosis has made spending two months a year shuttling between the Peninsula and Richmond too much of a effort. Gear … Continue reading Gear retires
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 