Today’s Topics
- Environment
- Budget
- The McDonnell Administration
- Economy
- Transportation
- Health
- Education
- Legal
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Local
Environment
EPA proposes penalties in Chesapeake cleanup | The Washington Post
Trying to impose new accountability measures in the failing effort to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, the Obama administration is considering an odd-sounding threat.
Budget
Population, inflation fuel 10-year budget growth in Va. | The Washington Post
Virginia spent 74 percent more money overall in its most recent budget than it did 10 years earlier, the result of the economy, population growth and decisions by the General Assembly, according to the legislature’s watchdog agency.
The McDonnell Administration
McDonnell drops hints on direction of administration | The Washington Examiner
Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, in a round of post-victory television appearances, is signaling he will simultaneously chart a course heavily focused on the economy while risking partisan rancor over issues like abortion.
McDonnell disagrees with study on trimming tax breaks | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia officials looking for cash to balance the state budget should consider delaying or junking some tax breaks, according to an economic think tank whose study was knocked down by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell.
McDonnell election grounds gas tax hopes | The Washington Examiner
The election of Republican Bob McDonnell as Virginia governor puts another barrier in front of a gas tax increase, a proposal already unlikely to succeed in a deeply divided state legislature.
Local officials press for increase in gas tax | The Washington Examiner
Maryland is long overdue for an increase in the gas tax to help build new roads and ease congestion, Montgomery County Council President Phil Andrews said Monday.
Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49th) plans to introduce legislation that would provide protections for state government workers based on their sexual orientation.
Economy
ODU forecast: Falling retail sales, job losses to continue | The Virginia Pilot
Job losses, depressed retail sales and falling hotel-room revenue will continue in Hampton Roads through yearend, but a resurgent U.S. economy will slow the decline, an economic forecasting team at Old Dominion University predicted.
Virginia business startup Web site reaches milestone | The News and Advance
ROANOKE—A state-run Web site to help streamline the process of starting a business has reached a milestone.
Transportation
VDOT prepares for winter roads | The Daily Progress
Despite losing more than 600 jobs and closing 19 interstate highway rest areas this summer because of Virginia’s budget crisis, Virginia Department of Transportation officials say they have the manpower, materials and equipment to keep the roads clear of ice and snow this winter.
Health
Perriello defends vote for health bill | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, and supporters yesterday defended his vote in favor of the $1.2 trillion health-care overhaul, while an anti-tax group picketed his offices in Martinsville, Danville and Farmville.
Education
Art center teachers keep busy outside classrooms | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Keri Wormald directed “Well” at the Barksdale Theater at the same time she led her high school students in a production of “Pride and Prejudice.” Both plays opened within one week of each other in the spring.
Tech’s budget picture is grim | The Roanoke Times
BLACKSBURG — While some sectors of the economy are bouncing back from deep recession, in the short term Virginia Tech’s budget won’t, university officials told the board of visitors on Sunday.
UVa’s Cavalier Daily to trim number of publication days | The Daily Progress
The 119-year-old student newspaper at the University of Virginia announced Monday that it will not publish a print edition on certain days this academic year to cut costs amid the economic downturn.
Legal
Senate OKs Maryland’s Davis for 4th Circuit | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
The U.S. Senate voted this evening to confirm President Obama’s nomination of U.S. District Judge Andre M. Davis to a seat on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Raids uncover bomb makings | The News Leader
WAYNESBORO — Authorities seized bomb-making materials and combat-related items last week from two area properties associated with a man who made videos of himself exploding stuffed animals, according to search warrants filed in Augusta County Circuit Court.
Agriculture
Latest crop to crack top 20 in Virginia? Try a glass of it | The Daily Progress
Among the success stories in Virginia agriculture in 2008 was wine grapes, which became one of the state’s top 20 agricultural commodities, according to new data.
Energy
Arlington company buys ADMMicro | The Roanoke Times
On Monday afternoon, ADMMicro, a Roanoke-born and -based energy management technology company, announced its acquisition by GridPoint, an Arlington-based company that develops “Smart Grid” software for electric utility companies.
Local
Judge rejects request for injunction to block Gloucester payments | The Daily Press
GLOUCESTER — A visiting judge declined Monday to block a motion passed last week by the Board of Supervisors that calls for the county to pay $343,000 in legal fees for four Board members.
Second firm makes offer to buy regional trash authority | The Virginia Pilot
There are now two proposals to buy SPSA, the region’s struggling trash authority.
Slumlord to do time in Richmond rental home | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Convicted slumlord Oliver C. Lawrence will get to experience life in the Richmond City Jail and one of his own neglected rental properties.
ABC hearing into strip club charges continues today | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
A few hours in the Champagne Room didn’t come cheap for state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents investigating a strip club in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom.
Group details local benefits of federal stimulus spending | The News Leader
WAYNESBORO — More than $200,000 in federal stimulus funds have been awarded to local organizations and the money will save seven jobs and benefit more than 1,500 low-income area residents.
City fears deeper cuts | The News Leader
WAYNESBORO — The state has cut its budget and local tax revenue is lagging, so city officials are bracing for more cuts of their own.
- The Most Progressive Budget in Virginia’s History - December 21, 2019
- When is a Clean Water Act Permit Needed? - December 21, 2019
- Should U.S. Consider Modern Monetary Theory to Improve Economy? - December 21, 2019