Today’s Topics
- The McDonnell Administration
- The Kaine Administration
- Transportation
- Energy
- Business
- Legal
- Health
- Education
- Local
The McDonnell Administration
Now, the hard part | The Washington Post
With his overwhelming victory, Robert F. McDonnell is being extolled as a new model for Republican success: a traditionally conservative candidate who won a swing state by focusing almost exclusively on jobs, transportation and other kitchen table issues. The test now is whether he can build a similar model for governing by catering to the middle’s pragmatism without alienating the GOP activists who were crucial to his win.
A year after tipping Democratic for president for the first time since 1964, Virginia fell to Republicans in a dramatic statewide sweep that is a historic reminder of its enduring competitiveness — but may not be a model for a national GOP comeback.
Kaine pledges to work with McDonnell for “seamless” transition | The Virginia Pilot
Hours after his party suffered crushing losses to Republicans in all three statewide elections, Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this morning told reporters that he will work with governor-elect Bob McDonnell to produce a “seamless” transition for the new administration.
The Kaine Administration
Governor’s agenda flagging, but not ratings | The Washington Post
Faced with a record budget shortfall and uncooperative Republican lawmakers, Timothy M. Kaine’s legacy as Virginia governor has largely been built on his political gains: helping his party win a pair of U.S. Senate seats, taking control of the state Senate and delivering the Old Dominion for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in more than four decades.
Transportation
Policy Panel Established to Guide Columbia Pike Streetcar | The Sun Gazette
Funding, or more specifically the lack of it, continues to be the main hold-up, but the Arlington and Fairfax governments are moving forward in planning for a streetcar along the Columbia Pike corridor.
Route 7 will undergo many changes as Metro work continues | The Fairfax Times
Construction activities along Route 7 in Tysons Corner will intensify in coming weeks, and the work won’t let up until the new Metrorail stations are complete.
Virginia State Police crack down on N.Va. HOV violators | Inside Nova
ARLINGTON — Virginia State Police are stepping up enforcement of HOV rules, and they are catching a lot of violators.
VDOT closes county railroad bridge after damage discovered | The Daily Progress
Virginia Department of Transportation crews will shut down the Black Cat Road railroad bridge, between David Lee Road and Bunker Hill Road in Albemarle County, after inspection crews discovered a damaged support timber.
VRE backers win in Spotsy | The Freelance Star
The two pro-Virginia Railway Express incumbents won re-election to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors last night, ensuring the county’s membership to the commuter rail service.
Energy
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to expand ‘smart grid’ | The Fairfax Times
The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative will be able to accelerate its plans to expand its so-called “smart grid” technologies thanks to a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.
Business
Proposed regulations for car-title loans draw fire | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Payday lenders are complaining that proposed State Corporation Commission regulations on car-title loans will put an unfair crimp in their business.
National hospitality groups oppose Fort Lee hotel | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Tri-Cities area’s hospitality industry is receiving significant support in their campaign against an Army plan to build a 1,000-room hotel at Fort Lee.
Legal
Obama nominates 2 for 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
President Barrack Obama today nominated two more judges for the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, both to fill North Carolina seats.
Nasty, yes; obscene, no | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
We’re not sure what it takes to qualify as “obscene, vulgar, profane, lascivious, or indecent language” under Virginia Code Sec. 18.2-427, but we’re far too modest – our faces are still red – to repeat the words that the Virginia Court of Appeals says fall short of that standard in Lofgren v. Commonwealth.
Supreme Court to hear legal malpractice, legal notice cases | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
The Supreme Court will review two cases VLW reported on at the trial level – a grant of summary judgment to an allegation that McGuireWoods LLP committed legal malpractice in a blown appeal of an $8.3 million personal injury verdict and a ruling on the authority of newspapers to publish legal notice advertising.
Health
Swine flu deaths rise to 17 across Virginia | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia deaths from H1N1 swine flu have risen to 17, according to the state Health Department, as the demand for flu vaccine continues to outpace supply in many places.
Education
U.Va., Va. Tech plan research center with Rolls-Royce | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are seeking federal economic stimulus money to help build a manufacturing research center aimed at fostering growth in the state’s aerospace industry and related businesses.
Virginia Beach School Board to weigh grading-scale change | The Virginia Pilot
The debate continues. Should students who earn grades between 90 and 100 receive an A?
Local
City Council OKs boost in funding for SPCA services | The Daily Progress
The City Council has unanimously agreed that Charlottesville should boost its funding to the area SPCA for its pound services.
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- Should U.S. Consider Modern Monetary Theory to Improve Economy? - December 21, 2019