Bill highlight: O’Bannon’s HB602

I hope the assessors are paying attention to HB602, proposed by Del. John O'Bannon (R-73). Provides that when any assessment of real property is 20% greater than the previous assessment, in any appeal of the assessment to a board of equalization or circuit court, the burden of proof is on the commissioner of revenue or … Continue reading Bill highlight: O’Bannon’s HB602

Are you ready for some ODU football?

Old Dominion University will host Chowan University in its opening game on September 5, 2009. According to The Virginian Pilot, this will be the first ODU football game in nearly 70 years. The team will sign its first recruiting class on February 6 and already has nine committments, the latest being Maryland offensive lineman AJ … Continue reading Are you ready for some ODU football?

3rd Thursday means Norfolk Drinking Liberally

Join the folks gathered upstairs at The New Belmont from 5pm to 7pm tonight for the Norfolk chapter of Drinking Liberally. As always, drinking is optional. And bring a friend. I'm going to try to make it but this might be my last one for a while. Tax season, ya know 😦

Thursday update (01/17): Real estate tax relief

Weekly update of my legislative agenda issue. If there is a topic that has generated more bills than real estate taxes, I haven't seen it. (OK, maybe immigration 😉 ) In any event, I have limited my list of bills to those that provide real estate tax relief. There are others not on my list. … Continue reading Thursday update (01/17): Real estate tax relief

Black Caucus releases its legislative agenda

According to the Virginian Pilot, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus held a press conference this morning in which they announced their 2007 legislative agenda. The No. 1 budget priority for the group this year, she said, is continuing to fund a proton beam cancer center at Hampton University. The $200 million project, which focuses on … Continue reading Black Caucus releases its legislative agenda

Bill highlight: Saxman’s HB328

Del. Chris Saxman (R-20) has proposed that all local elections - mayors, councils, school boards - be held in November. The law currently allows these elections to be held in May, although a change a couple of years ago allowed localities to move the elections to November if they desired. Locally, Virginia Beach elected to … Continue reading Bill highlight: Saxman’s HB328

Norfolk budget shortfall minimum $18.6 million

The Virginian Pilot reported today that the budget deficit for Norfolk for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 is expected to be a minimum of $18.6 million. Based on economic forecasts, if the city does not give employees raises, start new programs or fund new projects, it will need to find another $18.6 million … Continue reading Norfolk budget shortfall minimum $18.6 million

Wednesday update (01/16): restoration of voting rights

Weekly update of my legislative agenda issue. I was planning to do these updates in the same order that I released the list; however, the Senate Privileges and Elections committee's actions on Tuesday forced me to move it up. There are only two bills on this issue (so far) this session: Senator Yvonne Miller's SJ7 … Continue reading Wednesday update (01/16): restoration of voting rights

It’s back!

American Idol, that is. My winter entertainment. This season's opening show is halfway over as I write this. The first stop on the Idol audition tour is Philadelphia. They have picked up a couple of really good singers. And suffered through some pretty horrible ones. Of course, these early shows are more about the latter … Continue reading It’s back!

So who’s going to win the Super Bowl?

Well, I'll make that pick next week 🙂 In the meantime, let's take a look at this weekend's matchups. On the AFC side, we have the New England Patriots playing at home against the San Diego Chargers. I really had hopes that the Colts were going to be playing in this game, since I think … Continue reading So who’s going to win the Super Bowl?