As I have in prior years, I attended the OLD Alumni Association General Assembly reception last night. Typically this event is a little earlier in the session but this year's timing allowed an opportunity to talk to our elected representatives about bills that have either passed or failed, as opposed to lobbying them on behalf … Continue reading ODU Alumni GA reception: talking to the legislators
Category: Virginia
Want to go to Denver? Important dates
The process of determining who the delegates from Virginia will be to the Democratic National Convention is underway. Locally, the 2nd district convention will be held May 17. The 3rd district convention will be May 10 in Newport News. The DPVA has released this guide (doc) to explain the delegate selection process and help guide … Continue reading Want to go to Denver? Important dates
Media bias
Sunday's Virginian Pilot had an article by relatively new public editor Joyce Hoffman regarding the news coverage by the Pilot of Barack Obama. In it, she says that the paper has been biased in favor of the junior Senator from Illinois. ...on the national scene the press in general has made Obama a media darling. … Continue reading Media bias
Payroll tax in lieu of real estate tax?
From a letter to the editor in Monday morning's Virginian Pilot: There is a solution to eliminating the rising property tax. Initiate a payroll tax (it worked for several cities in Michigan) 1 percent if you live and work in Virginia Beach and 0.5 percent if you live here but work in another city. Ah, … Continue reading Payroll tax in lieu of real estate tax?
Senate kills homestead exemption
The only bills left to provide tax relief for homeowners was killed today by the Senate. In a 21-19 vote, Senate Republicans, joined by Democrats Chuck Colgan and Phil Puckett, sent HJ4 and HB11 back to the Senate P&E committee. From the Senate Democratic Caucus press release: House Joint Resolution 4 passed the House by … Continue reading Senate kills homestead exemption
Judicial selection
Much discussion was had last year about the selection of judges in Virginia, particularly surrounding the selection in Norfolk. This year, the conversation has been a little under the radar but continues nonetheless. Judges are selected by the General Assembly and as this article points out, the process is far from being non-political. Sunday's Parade … Continue reading Judicial selection
OTR 02/24: Payday lending, EVMS
This Sunday's On the Record will feature representatives both for and against the proposed legislation on payday lending. Joining host Joel Rubin will be Jamie Fulmer from payday lender Advance America and Ward Scull of Virginians Against Payday Loans. In the other segment, the topic will be the issue of construction funding at EVMS, as … Continue reading OTR 02/24: Payday lending, EVMS
Budget update: money restored for commissioners’, treasurers’ offices
I understand that the funding for the commissioners of the revenue and treasurers' offices (amendment numbers 72 #4H (Commissioners) and 75 #4H (treasurers)) has been restored. Originally, these amendments would have removed $4 million in funding from these offices.
Thursday update (02/21): Real estate tax relief
Weekly update of my legislative agenda issue. Only a few bills on real estate tax relief survived crossover. The Virginian Pilot this morning had a blurb about Ralph Northam's SB496, which would have laid out how the homestead exemption was to be implemented. So while we are likely to get to vote on the homestead … Continue reading Thursday update (02/21): Real estate tax relief
ALERT: Whipple’s SB51
When I see bills like SB51, I am reminded once again why I so dislike the Dillon Rule. In this case, we have self-insured localities who want to be able to extend health insurance benefits to whomever the locality and the policyholder agree. Instead of simply being able to do so - after all, there … Continue reading ALERT: Whipple’s SB51
