Daily Bacon's | November 20, 2009

Today’s Topics

• Budget
• Transportation
• Economy
• Education
• Legal
• Politics
• Healthcare
• Local

Budget

Va. faces $3.5 billion hole in next two-year budget | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

PORTSMOUTH — Local governments aren’t likely to escape the pain when the General Assembly attempts to eliminate an estimated $3.5 billion hole in the next two-year budget.

Transportation

Computer model: First, expand Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, widen I-64 | The Daily Press

The first test of a computer model designed to rank regional transportation projects put an expanded Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in the top slot, validating the howls of Peninsula lawmakers and commuters who have long argued for upgrades at the region’s worst choke point.

VRE could end youth fare discount today | The News & Messenger

Despite an overwhelming majority who oppose the plan, the Virginia Railway Express operations board is expected to vote Friday on a measure that would effectively end a policy of discounting youth fares.

Economy

Virginia tax collections reflect struggling economy | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginians are taking home less pay, spending less in stores and still are getting hit on their investments, new state tax-collection statistics show.

Mortgage delinquency rate rises in Va. | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on residential properties in Virginia stood at 7.7 percent at the end of the third quarter, up from 6.9 percent in the previous quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

AOL plans to cut a third of workforce | The Washington Post

AOL said Thursday that it plans to reduce its workforce by a third over the next several months.

Education

Va Tech reports record graduate school enrollment | The Daily Progress

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia Tech is reporting record enrollment in its Graduate School.

Virginia Highlands professor wins professor-of-the-year honor | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

ABINGDON — An assistant biology professor at Virginia Highlands Community College has been named Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Legal

Ruling: Member of ‘Norfolk Four’ can be retried | The Virginian Pilot

Prosecutors can retry an ex-sailor who received a conditional pardon from Virginia’s governor after spending 11 years in prison for the rape and murder of a fellow sailor’s wife, a federal judge has ruled.

Restaurant owners prepare for Va. smoking ban | The Washington Examiner

Virginia health officials are crisscrossing the state to ensure that restaurants and bars are ready to go smoke-free Dec. 1.

Politics

Governor’s Cabinet choices could change balance in Va. Senate | The Loudoun Times-Mirror

This is a critical time in Richmond, as considerable political jockeying shapes up for control of the state Senate, which Democrats control by a razor-thin 21-19 margin over the GOP. Republicans firmly control the House of Delegates.

Healthcare

Warner: More cost containment needed in Senate health-care bill | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Sen. Mark Warner said he wants to see more cost containment in the Senate’s health care bill before he can support it.

Local

Park Service sees Fort Monroe as a major tourist attraction for the area | The Daily Press

HAMPTON — Congress will be asked to create a national park covering historic parts of Fort Monroe following a landmark vote by the body investigating the base’s use after the Army moves out in 2011.

Henrico ZIP code changes cause revenue losses for Richmond | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Richmond’s budget woes extend beyond the national recession and are being compounded by permanent revenue losses from Henrico County’s decision to change some ZIP code addresses from Richmond to Henrico, the city’s top finance official said.

A month later, mall is eerily devoid of teens and their money | The Virginian Pilot

At 5:05 Wednesday evening, 17-year-old Tiffani Walker stood outside MacArthur Center waiting for her mother to pick her up.