Tag: state government
Community input sought on how to pay for transportation as state funding runs out
Fairfax County will be holding a series of community outreach meetings over the next couple of months to explore what the public thinks should be done about paying for transportation in light of diminished state funding.Various options are on the table, including a meals tax. The meeting for Mason District residents will be Oct. 1, … Continued
Virginia makes it difficult for ex-offenders to get their voting rights restored
If you or someone you know is a convicted felon who wants to vote in the upcoming presidential election, you’ll need to get started now to get your voting rights restored. It’s an arduous process, but well worth it. There are about 350,000 convicted felons in Virginia, and the state has one of the nation’s … Continued
Ballot question on eminent domain could increase redevelopment costs
If Virginia voters approve a constitutional amendment on eminent domain, efforts to revitalize Annandale would be more difficult and “significantly more expensive,” says state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37). “It will slow down the whole process.” The amendment, a priority of the Tea Party, as well as Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, both … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: McDonnell dropped the ball on transportation
For a state with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” the commonwealth of Virginia places a surprising level of budgetary discretion in the hands of its governor. After a grueling three-month campaign for sanity, waged primarily by the Senate Democrats, weeks later than expected, the General Assembly passed and sent a budget to Gov. McDonnell. The … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: the budget stalemate
By Del. Kaye Kory My friend, Sen. Creigh Deeds, shared with me his thoughts on some major budget issues. Since those issues are of as much concern to us in the 38th District as they are to Sen. Deeds’ constituents down in Bath County—and since the senator’s views are congruent with my own—I thought you … Continued
Sen. Marsden’s Richmond Diary: The 2012 state budget
In this edition of Sen. Dave Marsden’s periodic reports from Richmond, he explains why the Virginia General Assembly has so far failed to pass a budget. There has been much written this past week about Democrats voting down the Senate and House budgets. The Washington Post and other writers seem to think that this is … Continued
Sen. Marsden’s Richmond Diary
Here’s the third installment of Sen. Dave Marsden’s Richmond Diary, covering his work in the Virginia legislature. Monday, Jan. 23 The day started early, as I presented a bill to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee at 8:30 a.m. The bill failed on a 7 to 7 vote, but I have a good way to … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: This session will be a long one
By Kaye Kory The Virginia General Assembly convened the 2012 legislative session on Jan. 11. This year’s 60-day session is scheduled to conclude on March 10. I have three committee assignments, up from two in my first term. I will continue serving on the Science and Technology Committee and this year I have also been … Continued
Sen. Dave Marsden’s Richmond Diary
Here’s the second installment of Sen. Dave Marsden’s Richmond Diary, covering week 2 in the Virginia General Assembly. Marsden (D-Burke) represents most of Annandale in the Virginia Senate. Monday, Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day is always one of the busiest times in the General Assembly session. Constituent groups from across the political spectrum … Continued
Sen. Dave Marsden’s Richmond Diary
With this column, we’re introducing a new feature: a daily journal of the activities of Sen. Dave Marsden, who represents the 37th District, which includes portions of Annandale. We hope it will give a readers a better sense of how the state Senate operates, as well as provide an update on the issues Marsden is … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Major environmental issues on the agenda
By Del. Kaye Kory Next week the 2012 legislative assembly convenes in Richmond, and the governor will deliver his State of the Commonwealth Address. His themes will include the laudable economic performance of the commonwealth as compared to other states, as well as the responsible fiscal policy and pragmatic management accomplishments of his administration. Beauty … Continued
State senate candidates Marsden and Flanary clash in debate
Marsden State Sen. Dave Marsden (37th District) and his challenger Jason Flanary clashed over transportation, spending, education, immigration, and other issues at a debate Oct. 16 at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke. Flanary, a Republican, called for government to “be run a little more like a business” and said “we need more business leaders … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Keep Virginia involved in watershed efforts
An open letter to Gov. McDonnell: Don’t endanger our water supply Dear Governor: I urge you to cancel your short-sighted plans to withdraw Virginia from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). Virginia has benefitted greatly from its 70-year membership in this commission. I seriously doubt that our Commonwealth would have accomplished on … Continued
Candidates clash over roads, taxes, and environment
Saslaw Voters Fairfax County’s Braddock District got a close-up look at some of the candidates running for office in November at a forum Tuesday evening sponsored by the North Springfield Civic Association. Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, who has been in the Virginia legislature since 1976, reminded the audience of some of his accomplishments: bringing … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Should I-95 become a toll road?
By Del. Kaye Kory The good news is that Virginia may be one step closer to improving the traffic flow on Interstate 95. The Federal Highway Administration has granted Virginia preliminary authority to charge tolls on vehicles entering Virginia from North Carolina and presumably at other points along the route. The bad news is that … Continued