Category | Local Government

VA is for lovers who won’t stop calling; new law helps

March 14, 2012

By Carten Cordell | Virginia Statehouse News It may sound like a late-night commercial, but we’re serious. If you’ve ever been harassed by a repeat phone caller, the state of Virginia can stop annoying calls now.   They’ll put the guy in jail.   A recently enacted law, HB 39, allows judges to sentence a person [...]

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VA House bill to make school discipline stats public

February 27, 2012

  By Carten Cordell | Virginia Statehouse News   ALEXANDRIA — A bipartisan bill on its way to Gov. Bob McDonnell could provide parents with greater access to discipline data from public schools, but the move is drawing resistance from some school officials.

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Virginia progressives gear up to battle Republican dominance

January 11, 2012

By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News   RICHMOND — As Virginia Republicans grabbed the reins in the state Senate on Wednesday, a coalition of progressive interest groups geared up to fight against expected conservative policy shifts. "There is obviously a different makeup of the General Assembly this year, and I think everybody here recognizes [...]

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City land grab threat could boost anti-eminent domain amendment

October 21, 2011

Bill McMorris | Old Dominion Watchdog ALEXANDRIA — The City of Alexandria’s threat to seize a parking lot owned by a local boat club has led one state lawmaker to reconsider his position on eminent domain.

Better IT, auditing to help reduce Medicaid errors

October 13, 2011

By Amanda Iacone | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — State officials have launched initiatives to curb fraud, abuse and errors in the state’s most expensive social program, Medicaid.

Overworked caseworkers cause of Medicaid eligibility error rates

October 13, 2011

By Amanda Iacone | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — Overworked and under-trained social service employees are largely to blame for Virginia paying millions in Medicaid benefits to ineligible recipients, according to a state report.

Federal budget fights continue to hold up relief for Virginia communities

September 23, 2011

By Amanda Iacone | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — Waiting for federal disaster assistance was not an option for David Whitlock.

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Localities fret loss of FEMA money

August 30, 2011

By Amanda Iacone | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — As federal disaster relief runs dry, Virginia communities may not get the help they need any time soon, as they clean up from Hurricane Irene’s pummeling.

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Localities seek reprieve from state spending cuts

August 19, 2011

By Amanda Iacone Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — City and county officials statewide are disappointed that none of Virginia’s year-end cash balance will help pay for local services.

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Transportation study: Secondary roads need work, money

June 30, 2011

By Amanda Iacone Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — State and county governments have been in a tug-of-war match for several years over who should pay for the maintenance of local roads.

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