Tag Archive | "McDonnell"

VA gov’s pension payout includes $600M deferred

February 01, 2012

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By Carten Cordell | Virginia Statehouse News

ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposed $2.2 billion payment into the state pension fund still falls $600 million short of what state retirement officials say is needed to address a multi-billion hole. 
 
The Virginia Retirement System, or VRS, estimated that the system needs $2.8 billion during the next two years to cover the retirement costs of the state's 600,000 workers and retirees, $600 million more than McDonnell's pledge.

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VA gay adoption: Discrimination or religious freedom?

January 31, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — Delegate Joe Morrissey, D-Henrico County, called a Republican adoption policy proposal “highly discriminatory, mean and cruel.”

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VA GOP campaigned on jobs, pushes social issues, Dems say

January 30, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — Ask Virginia House Minority Leader David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, what to expect from the state’s conservative leaders, and he’ll say: “Not only a slew of misplaced priorities, but a classic bait and switch.”

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Annual reviews a sour apple for teachers in VA

January 24, 2012

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By Carten Cordell | Old Dominion Watchdog

ALEXANDRIA — Stephen Murmer has been on the wrong side of the chopping block in Virginia's public school system.

The Chesterfield County School District fired him, rather than following the standard grievance process Gov. Bob McDonnell will try to streamline this year.

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VA liberals and conservatives unite against tax breaks

January 19, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — Progressives and conservatives agree on few things in Virginia politics, but both have placed ending the tax credits, which cost the commonwealth billions of dollars in lost revenue, high on their agenda for 2012.

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VA school choice advocates push tax credits for corporate scholarships

January 18, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — Parents of children who are struggling in some of Virginia’s most troubled public schools could get more choices, if Republicans win tax breaks for companies that make donations for low-income students to attend private institutions.

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Virginia Democrats say help for crumbling roads should come from higher gas taxes

January 17, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — As Virginia lawmakers seek a long-term funding fix to the state's crumbling road system, former Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety Delegate Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, on Tuesday tried to steer them toward an increase to the gas tax.

Watts has proposed raising the 17.5 percent gas tax by 5 percent to fund statewide maintenance needs, a move that would cost a Virginia family with two cars, on average, an estimated $200 annually, she said. The gas tax in Virginia, including local, state and federal levies, is 38.2 cents per gallon. The proposed increase would boost the tax to 40.11 cents per gallon over the course of four years, less than all Virginia's neighbors except for Tennessee, whose tax is 39.8 cents.

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Lawmaker seeks to cut concealed carry ‘red tape’ in Virginia

January 13, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — The Republican-controlled General Assembly may make it legal to carry concealed weapons without a permit, even though gun owners support the current law.

 

Virginia law requires a permit for concealed carry, but a measure proposed by State Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, would eliminate the permit requirement, making it legal for all gun owners to carry a concealed weapon.

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VA GOP establishment backs Romney; McDonnell still mum

January 12, 2012

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By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — The Virginia GOP establishment Thursday bestowed two more endorsements on Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, but popular Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has expressed interest in a nod for vice president, stayed on the sidelines.

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McDonnell gets warm response in VA House gallery

January 11, 2012

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Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News

RICHMOND — The third State of the Commonwealth address from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday received enthusiastic whoops and applause from the state House gallery. 

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