The fleecing of local taxpayers

The Virginian Pilot reports today on the new fines that will be imposed on drivers convicted of certain offenses. The Pilot's article discusses who will benefit the most from these higher fines: the law firms that act as collection agencies for the local Commonwealth's Attoneys offices. But the hefty penalties could be a bonanza for … Continue reading The fleecing of local taxpayers →

More on WM blogs

According to the Daily Press, a new site - The Society for the College of William & Mary - has been established to "heal divisions over university president Gene Nichol's decision late last year to remove a cross from permanent display in Wren Chapel." The new site is asking bloggers on both sides of the … Continue reading More on WM blogs →

VA NOW State Conference

The Virginia chapter of the National Organization for Women is holding its state conference this Saturday, June 23, in Charlottesville. Entitled "Understanding the F Word: Feminism Today," registration starts at 8:30am. The conference runs from 9am to 5pm at the Observatory Hill Forum at the University of Virginia. Guest speakers for the event include Mary … Continue reading VA NOW State Conference →

WM president subject of blogs

Gene R. Nichol, the president of The College of William and Mary, has come under fire for deciding to remove the cross at Wren Chapel last October. Now he is the subject of dueling blogs. One - Should W&M Renew Gene Nichol as President? - is against the embattled president and the other - WM … Continue reading WM president subject of blogs →

Blogs United update

In case you missed it, the updated schedule for Blogs United has been posted on the website. Also there is a list of the speakers: Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling Attorney General Bob McDonnell Del. Brian Moran, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus Shaun Kenney, Communications Director, Republican Party of Virginia Donald Luzzatto, Virginian-Pilot Kevin W. Grierson, Esq., … Continue reading Blogs United update →

Report: Norfolk candidates’ forum

I attended a candidates' forum earlier this evening hosted by the Norfolk division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Norfolk is represented in the General Assembly by two Senators - Yvonne B. Miller (D-5th) and Nick Rerras (R-6th) and six delegates - Kenny Alexander (D-89th), Paula Miller (D-87th), Algie Howell (D-90th), Johnny Joannou (D-79th), … Continue reading Report: Norfolk candidates’ forum →

Virginia FREE: Lewis & Moran rank high

Virginia FREE (The Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education, Inc.) released its annual business scorecard. The ranking given the members of the General Assembly were based on 16 bills voted on this past session. Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Jr. (D-100th) tied for second place with a pro-business score of 81%. Delegates Frank Hall (D-69th) and … Continue reading Virginia FREE: Lewis & Moran rank high →

Opinion, please: contributions to candidates running unopposed

Perusing the campaign finance reports got me to thinking about contributions to candidates running unopposed. In a world in which resources are unlimited, everybody would get campaign contributions. But we don't live in that world. And, given the fact that there is an election in Virginia every year, it would seem that limited resources would … Continue reading Opinion, please: contributions to candidates running unopposed →

Feeding at the public trough: Congressional families

Over at The Shad Plank, they came across this report from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) regarding the ability of some of our Congressional representatives to funnel money to their families. Among the 96 members of Congress -- 41 Democrats and 55 Republicans -- reviewed were some from Virginia, including Jo Ann … Continue reading Feeding at the public trough: Congressional families →

VA voter registration issues

Jim Patrick has an amazing post on the Virginia's attempt to upgrade its voter registration software. The software is assigning voters to the wrong precinct and even worse: eliminating registered voters! There was a problem a couple of weeks ago in Portsmouth regarding voters being assigned to the wrong precinct. (I don't seem to be … Continue reading VA voter registration issues →