From the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus: CONFEREES REACH AN AGREEMENT Compromise Budget Avoids Disastrous Changes to Education and Includes Funds for Mental Health, Pre-K, and Alicia's Law (Richmond, Va.) - Facing budget deficits of nearly $2 billion, the Virginia Budget Conferees announced a deal today on an over $77 billion budget that includes funding for … Continue reading Budget deal reached
Category: Virginia
Griffith out
Norfolk Circuit Court judge Chuck Griffith failed to be certified and will not be re-appointed to his seat. The Virginian Pilot has an article on this today. Once again, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering on the judgeships has been, shall we say, interesting to watch. In this case, getting Griffith through the Senate was an impossibility, despite … Continue reading Griffith out
Hampton Roads Republicans back sales tax
The Virginian Pilot reported this morning that eight lawmakers from Hampton Roads - Dels. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk; Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach; John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake; Terrie Suit, R-Virginia Beach; Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach; Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News; Glenn Oder, R-Newport News; and Brenda Pogge, R-James City - support 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for roads. … Continue reading Hampton Roads Republicans back sales tax
Move budget to odd-numbered years
Former state senator Brandon Bell posted this today: I believe it’s safe to say that our current budget process has some serious flaws. But we can fix it. [...] Move the budget writing to the odd years. This would give the Governor an opportunity to introduce and advocate for two budgets, not just one. I … Continue reading Move budget to odd-numbered years
Abuser fees gone
Seems everyone wants to claim credit for this one. I got an email Saturday from the Senate Democratic Caucus. And then Sunday, I got one two from Del. Tim Hugo. Regardless of who claims it, the real credit belongs to the originator of the online petition, Bryan Ault, and the 177,944 people who signed it. … Continue reading Abuser fees gone
Eileen Olds: followup
Earlier, I posted about Chesapeake J&D judge Eileen Olds. At the time I said: The article points out that two of the roadblocks that she is encountering are coming from black Democratic senators Louise Lucas and Yvonne Miller. My understanding is that there is more to this story - a lot more Last week, I … Continue reading Eileen Olds: followup
MN smoking ban: “All the world’s a stage”
This is just too funny: All the world's a stage at some of Minnesota's bars. A new state ban on smoking in restaurants and other nightspots contains an exception for performers in theatrical productions. So some bars are getting around the ban by printing up playbills, encouraging customers to come in costume, and pronouncing them … Continue reading MN smoking ban: “All the world’s a stage”
Friday update (03/07): Verifiable voting
Weekly update of my legislative agenda issue. A couple of bills that were sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee last week not only emerged but actually have passed the General Assembly. SB62 (Howell), which deals with registration receipts, and SB536 (Barker), which deals with additional testing of voting machines, move us a little closer to … Continue reading Friday update (03/07): Verifiable voting
Tuesday update (on a Friday): Payday lending
Weekly update of my legislative agenda issue. OK, it's been a busy day and week so updating this legislative agenda issue got a little behind, though I did mention this earlier in the week. Thursday, the General Assembly passed legislation that will make some changes in payday lending. HB12 as amended includes: A change in … Continue reading Tuesday update (on a Friday): Payday lending
Moran blasts House GOP on education funding
An op-ed by House Democratic Caucus chair Brian Moran appeared* in this morning's Virginian Pilot. In it, Del. Moran explains how the House Republican budget shortchanges education. Embedded in its budget proposal is a formula change that alters the fundamental state commitment to provide public education to our children. This fine print has major impacts: … Continue reading Moran blasts House GOP on education funding
