Daily Bacon's | November 2, 2009

Today’s Topics

• Budget
• Energy
• Elections
• Education
• Business
• Environment
• Economy
• Legal
• Local

Budget

McDonnell and Deeds mostly mum on how to fund their ideas | The Washington Post

As Republican Robert F. McDonnell and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds make their final pushes for votes before Tuesday’s election for governor in Virginia, both candidates are campaigning largely on their ideas for spending, not budget cuts.

Schapiro: Spoils limited for victor in Virginia governor’s race | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s gubernatorial election — OK, so a lot of people have a pretty good idea who’s going to win — one thing is certain: The victor won’t have squat to spend.

Welcome to work, governor. It’s time to slash the budget. | The Virginia Pilot

The new governor elected Tuesday will be brimming with ideas on how to move Virginia forward, but one of his first jobs will likely be proposing deep cuts in state spending to deal with a budget shortfall of at least $1 billion.

Shortfalls to confront new leader | The Roanoke Times

The new governor elected Tuesday will be brimming with ideas on how to move Virginia forward, but one of his first jobs likely will be proposing deep cuts in state spending to deal with at least a $1 billion budget shortfall.

Energy

NOVEC gets grant for ‘smart grid’ | The Washington Post

The Manassas-based Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative has received $5 million in federal stimulus funds to deploy new technology that will improve the efficiency and reliability of its distribution system, company officials said.

Elections

Early Va. ballots top those of ’05 | The Washington Times

More voters had submitted early ballots in Virginia’s gubernatorial election before Saturday, the final day for in-person absentee voting, than had cast early ballots in the state’s 2005 contest, officials say.

Education

Richmond School Board to discuss building schools | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Will a new Huguenot High School be built by the end of 2013? That is the $81 million question facing the Richmond School Board.

Shipboard student’s action causes dilemma for U.Va. Honor Committee | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The University of Virginia’s Honor Committee is facing a dilemma: How should it treat students who have a sort of dual status in the university community?

UVa law school to debut public service program | The Daily Progress

A select group of students at the University of Virginia School of Law will have a chance to focus their attention more on public service this spring thanks to a new program.

Sources say Germanna placed dean on leave | The Freelance Star

Germanna Community College Dean of Arts and Sciences John W. Francis has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of improper conduct, sources said yesterday.

CCPS Administration Committee prepared to recommend policy changes | The Star Exponent

Following months of reviewing the use of facilities policies of nearby school divisions, the Culpeper County Public Schools Administration Committee is prepared to make policy recommendations and clarifications to the School Board regarding policy fees, profit, safety and the extended use of its school buildings.

Education notebook: Debunking rumors about widespread flu absences | The Daily Press

You’ve heard the rumors. We have, too. A high school is “one student away” from closing because of illness-related absences. Half the students at a middle school were absent. All but a handful of fourth-graders at a local elementary school have the flu, and the fifth-grade class isn’t looking too healthy, either.

Business

Va. Hispanic chamber founder believes in building bridges | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Helping others is a common thread in Michel Zajur’s life.

Environment

Congress: $50 million for Chesapeake Bay | The Daily Press

Congress has approved a record $50 million to restore the Chesapeake Bay, a sign that the troubled waterway is becoming a greater priority among federal lawmakers, environmentalists said.

Economy

Federal stimulus funds help create, retain Va jobs | TriCities.com

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Federal funding meant to stimulate the economy has helped Virginia agencies create or retain more than 5,900 jobs.

Governor visits Franklin | Tidewater News

FRANKLIN — FRANKLIN—Gov. Tim Kaine visited Franklin on Friday, meeting with local and state officials as well as employees at International Paper Co.’s soon-to-be-closed Franklin mill.

Legal

Wine Barred: ‘Farm wineries’ battle neighbors in DC suburbs | Virginia Lawyers Weekly

The emerging Virginia wine industry – bolstered by state legislation to encourage its development – is struggling to make peace with its neighbors in suburban Northern Virginia.

McLaughlin voted 2009 ‘Leader of the Year’ | Virginia Lawyers Weekly

Henry W. McLaughlin III thought he wanted to be a journalist, but his experience as a reporter for the Farmville bureau of the Richmond Times-Dispatch convinced him that he wasn’t cut out for the job.

Virginia law schools report bar pass rates | Virginia Lawyers Weekly

Most Virginia law schools handily beat the statewide percentage for graduates passing the Virginia bar exam on their first try this past July. The annual two-day testing session in Roanoke produced an overall passage rate of 75 percent. The number rose to better than 80 percent for first timers.

Supreme Court decides appeals by order | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog

The trial court erred in granting contributory negligence instructions for a Montgomery County farmer who allowed his Black Angus cow to stray onto Route 8 in the dark, the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled last week in an unpublished order.

Local

Public services at risk around Va., survey says | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Take $60 million out of Chesterfield County’s $1.2 billion budget, and these are some of the things that could disappear:

Arlington tax bill might grow heftier | The Washington Post

Arlington County residents and employees should prepare for significant changes in services and programs as well as a tax increase as the county tries to close a potential budget gap caused by the economy, officials say.

SPCA funding could boom | The Daily Progress

The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is on track to have a different financial fate than its fellow community agencies, if elected officials approve a new contract this week.

Back to the Top