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Anti-uranium legislators write to McDonnell
A sextet of Southside Virginia legislators have written Gov. Bob McDonnell asking him to resist uranium supporters who want him to move ahead with the development of new mining regulations despite the recent demise of legislation for that purpose.
Jindal, McDonnell tout education reforms
RICHMOND Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says education reforms that have produced results in his state can also work in Virginia. Jindal helped promote Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's education reform package at a news conference today in Richmond. That package includes bills to grade public schools on an A-to-F scale, and to allow the state to take over chronically failing schools.
Governor pitches legislation on school safety
RICHMOND Midway through the legislative session, Gov. Bob McDonnell has introduced eight school safety bills based on the work of a state task force appointed after December's mass school shooting in Connecticut. The package announced Friday covers a range of school and firearm-related issues. Among its components:
Pioneering black Norfolk lawmaker honored
A pioneering black lawmaker from Norfolk was fondly remembered by one of his colleagues Friday on the floor of the House of Delegates. One in a series of speeches commemorating Black History Month, Del. Ken Plum's remarks honored the late Del. William P. Robinson Sr., who in 1969 became Norfolk's first black legislator since Reconstruction.
Smoking with child in car won’t be outlawed in Va.
RICHMOND State Sen. Ralph Northam’s effort to outlaw smoking in a vehicle with a child present was decisively snuffed out today. The Norfolk Democrat, a pediatric neurologist, wanted to protect children from the dangers of second-hand smoke, which he said increases the risk of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.
Virginia General Assembly: The score at halftime
The dark clouds that hung over the General Assembly and threatened to rain on partisan compromise cleared as the session crossed its midway point this week. But that doesn't mean lawmakers are ready to sit in a circle and sing Kumbaya.
Virginia AG Cuccinelli’s book targets feds, Obama
RICHMOND If Virginia's ultra-conservative attorney general needs to appeal to moderate Republicans in his campaign for governor, his new book probably isn't going to help.
Va. workers’ part-time hours capped due to health law
RICHMOND Thousands of part-time state workers, including many in Hampton Roads, are being told they'll be allowed to work no more than 29 hours a week going forward. The reason: The federal Affordable Care Act requires that employees working 30 hours a week or more receive health care benefits - which would cost Virginia tens of millions of dollars a year.
Va. bill aims to help patients victimized by doctors
RICHMOND A bill on its way to passing the General Assembly would bench for a longer period physicians who engage in inappropriate sexual conduct with their patients.
All eyes on Va. Senate as it weighs budget, Medicaid
RICHMOND Democrats delivered an ominous sign about the prospects of passing a Senate budget this week when the party’s five senators on the Finance Committee voted against the bill Sunday. Their stated beef was the Medicaid expansion amendment in SB 800 that Democrats saw as foot-dragging rather than forward-looking to move Virginia toward implementing a key component of Obamacare.
Virginia’s Medicaid expansion plan moves forward
RICHMOND The most significant development Thursday at the State Capitol wasn't that both General Assembly chambers passed plans to tailor Virginia's $86 billion two-year budget. It was the near serenity in the Senate.
Bills to reduce Virginia menhaden catch progressing
RICHMOND Bills to reduce the number of menhaden fish that may be caught each year are progressing in the House of Delegates. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources this afternoon unanimously approved HB2254, which would reduce the annual menhaden catch by 20 percent and gives the Virginia Marine Resources Commission some authority to manage the oily bait fish.
