Tag: state government
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
Democratic leaders vow to hang on to VA Senate and retake the House
Del. David Bulova, Sen. Jim Webb, and House of Delegates candidate Jack Dobbyn (42nd District) Sen. Jim Webb, Sen. Mark Warner, former Gov. Tim Kaine, Rep. Gerry Connolly, and just about every elected leader and candidate in the Annandale area—and some from other parts of Fairfax County—made an appearance at the Mason District Democratic Committee’s … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Student discipline reforms needed
By Kaye Kory This past Monday, the Washington Post’s editorial page weighed in on the topic of Miranda rights for children in schools. The editorial addressed the recent Supreme Court decision that requires police officers questioning students about potential criminal violations in a school setting to advise them that they do not have to answer … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Green jobs essential to Virginia’s prosperity
By Del. Kaye Kory As the Aug. 23 primary nears, campaign signs are cropping up across Northern Virginia, candidates are knocking on doors, and shiny direct mail pieces are showing up in mailboxes. Please check to see if there are contested races in your districts and remember to vote. Though national and international economic events … Continued
VA Senate to vote on bill requiring parent notification of school discipline violations
The Virginia Senate plans to vote on a bill introduced by Del. Kaye Kory to require the school principal to notify the parents of a student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when the violation is likely to result in the student’s suspension or the filing of a court petition. … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: Progress possible but it’s all about gamesmanship
By Del. Kaye Kory Three weeks into the “short session” of the legislature, there are some indications of potential progress on challenges facing the Commonwealth—like transportation, higher education, and mental health funding. It helps that Virginia is relatively well positioned fiscally as a result of the painful cuts and “creative” budgetary accounting we indulged in … Continued