Category: Virginia

Fairfax Schools complain about following FOIA law

By Mark Brooks Elizabeth Schultz just wanted to find out information about a school that had been going to be renovated. The same school turned up listed for closure later, to the surprise of almost everyone. Clifton Elementary, in the Fairfax Public Schools system, is the school in question. She was concerned about decisions being … Continue reading Fairfax Schools complain about following FOIA law →

Webb will NOT run for re-election

In a just-received press release, Virginia senior senator Jim Webb announced that he will not run for re-election. [A]fter much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012. I have to admit that I didn't … Continue reading Webb will NOT run for re-election →

Norfolk native Judge Hassell dies

Norfolk native and former Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Leroy R. Hassell Sr. has died. According to Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Justice Hassell had been in ailing health for about a year and a half. He was seriously ill with an infection in August 2009, missing several weeks of work. He returned to the … Continue reading Norfolk native Judge Hassell dies →

Governors – and voters – pushed aside

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot this morning.  The topic is one that has bothered me for a long time: the timing of the budget. Virginia clings to the outmoded single term governor and then further handicaps him by essentially allowing him to implement only one budget during his term. Writing when … Continue reading Governors – and voters – pushed aside →

Push to replace pension with 401(k)-like plans dies

According to The Virginian-Pilot, Del. Chris Jones will no longer pursue the replacement of Virginia's defined benefit retirement plan with a defined contribution plan, like a 401(k), for state workers. The Suffolk Republican had proposed phasing out the Virginia Retirement System's current pension model, which promises a specified payout amount at retirement, in favor of … Continue reading Push to replace pension with 401(k)-like plans dies →

Open democracy for $18, Alex

The answer: $18. The question: What does one day's video of the General Assembly cost? As per Waldo, Richmond Sunlight doesn't have any video of the 2010 General Assembly session. (Why the GA doesn't put the video on their site is another whole question.) And the all-volunteer Richmond Sunlight has no budget to buy them. … Continue reading Open democracy for $18, Alex →

58 cents a month

That is the additional cost per employee reported by JLARC for mandated health insurance coverage for autism treatment, according to this AP story. HB2467, introduced by Del. Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls), passed the House Commerce and Labor Committee Thursday and is headed to the floor. The bill would "compel companies that employ 50 or more … Continue reading 58 cents a month →

Rigell town hall Monday

Been meaning to mention this all week, since I saw it announced on his Facebook page. For whatever reason, I am not on his press list. Rep. Scott Rigell (R-2nd) will hold a town hall meeting this coming Monday, January 31. The event will be held at the Virginia Beach Central Library, located at 4100 … Continue reading Rigell town hall Monday →

Hands across the aisle

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in today's The Virginian-Pilot. As shown in the video in the post below, last night's State of the Union embraced a bit of this by having members of opposite parties sit together. But that was just for show. Despite all of the red meat that gets thrown to supporters, … Continue reading Hands across the aisle →