Legislators unveil bills to help Virginia’s businesses
RICHMOND The Virginia House of Delegates’ Business Development Caucus unveiled today a dozen bills aimed at helping the state’s entrepreneurs. Before the session’s start last week, the caucus’s founders held six regional meetings to talk to business owners, funneling their input into the legislative package announced today. The proposals include:
Va. House panel welcomes first openly gay judge
RICHMOND A Republican-ruled legislative panel that vets judicial candidates was deferential and even supportive of a reappointment bid by Virginia's first openly gay judge who was rejected by the full House a year ago.
Panel questions gay judge; support for approval builds
RICHMOND The perfunctory questioning of interim judicial appointees up for General Assembly approval came to an end when Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland strode to the podium Monday afternoon.
Support builds after panel questions gay judge
RICHMOND The perfunctory questioning of interim judicial appointees up for General Assembly approval came to an end when Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland strode to the podium Monday afternoon.
GOP walks gingerly around Va. abortion bills
RICHMOND Gov. Bob McDonnell didn't utter a syllable about abortion legislation in his 50-minute State of the Commonwealth speech Wednesday. House Speaker Bill Howell and other GOP House leaders didn't raise it in a press conference the next morning outlining a sober, mainstream policy agenda of jobs, schools and roads.
Months later, lawmakers’ views still mixed on gay judge
RICHMOND A gay judicial candidate who last year was rejected by the legislature for a Richmond General District Court seat, then appointed to the bench by Circuit Court judges, now faces a confirmation trial to remain in that post.
McCrory, rest of NC council installed in pageantry
RALEIGH, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory said Saturday at North Carolina's inauguration ceremony that his administration will help revitalize the state's economy and education system but that state government won't be an obstacle to unleashing the state's new South dynamism.
New Daun: Hester all ready for Richmond
RICHMOND Outside a bank of elevators in the General Assembly Building on Wednesday morning, House Minority Leader David Toscano stopped freshman Del. Daun Hester, placed his hand on her arm and leaned in conspiratorially. "Do you need any last-minute guidance?" he asked. "I think I'm OK," Hester replied, smiling.
Va. revenues grow in Dec., keep pace with forecast
RICHMOND Virginia general tax collections increased by nearly 5 percent in December over the same month the year before, keeping revenues on pace with official forecasts on which the state budget is based. The holiday season's healthy showing puts revenue growth halfway through the current fiscal year at 3.5 percent, close to the forecast of 3.6 percent.
NC elections board reviewing senator’s reports
RALEIGH, N.C. The North Carolina State Board of Elections wants more details from a veteran state senator about credit card payments made using campaign funds. Deputy state elections director Kim Strach confirmed Saturday her office is auditing the campaign committee of Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus.
Bill targets airborne ‘drones’ that spy on hunters
RICHMOND A Virginia state senator is pushing legislation that would take aim at unmanned "drone" aircraft that might prowl the skies over private lands snooping on hunters below.
Bill on impersonating law enforcement moves forward
RICHMOND A bill that makes impersonating a federal law enforcement officer illegal in Virginia passed a House subcommittee this morning.