Today’s Topics
Budget
The Pain Has Only Begun | Bacon’s Rebellion Blog
Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds would think twice about wanting to win the race for governor if they’d read the latest edition of TheVirginia Newsletter, written by public finance expert Jim Regimbald. The headline of his essay says it all: “Virginia’s State Budget—A Train Wreck About to Happen.”
Kaine forecasts ‘austere’ state budget ahead | The News & Advance
Once again looking at state revenues that fell below expectations in September, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Tuesday that “austere” is the word to describe the two-year budget he will prepare for his successor.
Legal
Medical marijuana is legal in Virginia | Waldo Jaquith
Fun fact: medical marijuana is now legal in Virginia.
Chief justice blasts Va. drunk-driving ruling | The Washington Post
A Virginia Supreme Court decision that overturned a conviction for drunken driving could result in the commonwealth’s intoxicated drivers being given “one free swerve” before being pulled over, with potentially disastrous consequences, U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote Tuesday.
Man arrested for being naked in his own kitchen | WTKR
A Northern Virginia man is charged with indecent exposure after a passerby spotted him naked in his own kitchen.
Husband owes on wife’s college loans | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
Although a wife didn’t earn income on her college degree until after the parties separated, she used her college loans for living expenses, and the Court of Appeals agrees husband must pay $11,000 of her college loan debt.
Transparency
Poll: Most Virginians want public ethical misconduct inquiries | The Virginia Pilot
When a state legislator is being investigated for possible ethical misconduct, most Virginians want the inquiry made public, according to a new poll.
News Leader objects to closed meeting | The News Leader
STAUNTON — On Tuesday The News Leader submitted a written objection to the offices of the Staunton City School Board and Staunton City Council for a planned joint meeting, arguing that the meeting can’t be conducted in closed session as planned because the subject matter isn’t covered by exemptions to the state open-meeting law.
Military
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown has emerged as one of three finalists — whittled from an original pool of 35 bases — for consolidation of several Marine Corps anti-terrorism units.
Northrop Grumman gets $12M for USS Ronald Reagan work | The Daily Press
Newport News – Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding this week received a $12.1 million contract for repairs and modernization work on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
Elections
Suspected voter registration fraud saw big jump in 2008 | GoDanRiver.com
In the months leading up to the 2008 presidential election, voter registration applications soared both in Danville and around the country.
Transportation
Dulles Toll Road rate hike likely to advance | The Washington Post
A plan to boost rates on the Dulles Toll Road is expected to move forward Wednesday despite widespread opposition from commuters.
Less pretty, more functional please | Greater Greater Washington
Don’t let the pretty bricks fool you. This crosswalk in downtown Vienna is no fun if you have to walk on it. Wide curb radii make it much more difficult to cross because a) they lengthen the walking distance, and b) motorists are encouraged to take turns without stopping or looking for pedestrians.
Education
College tuition rises sharply in Virginia | The Roanoke Times
WASHINGTON — Tuition and fees for public four-year colleges are now $7,020 on average and for private colleges $26,273, the College Board reported Tuesday, with prices rising faster in the public sector.
Woman to share family’s diploma success stories | The Daily Progress
Pam Graves knew that if she wanted to make a better life for her daughter it meant getting her GED.
Plans for magnet schools debated | The Virginia Pilot
Are the Beach’s two magnet schools too big or too small? Do they need to be in separate buildings at all?
Local
Loudoun uses education reserves to help fill shortfall | The Washington Post
Loudoun County budget officers dipped into public school reserves to help fill a $28 million revenue shortfall this week, surprising the School Board, which was saving money for the lean years expected ahead.
Slave Trail Commission unveils detailed Shockoe Bottom plans | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Richmond Slave Trail Commission yesterday released its vision to develop a $100 million to $150 million heritage site in Shockoe Bottom, including a slavery museum, an African-American genealogical center and a glass-enclosed Lumpkin’s Jail archeological site.
Lobbyist confirmed for Loudoun health post | The Washington Post
Despite an aggressive campaign to get her kicked off Loudoun’s chief advisory health board, a lobbyist who worked against autism legislation last year in Richmond was confirmed Tuesday to a third term.
Governor gets his flu shot during tour of Lynchburg | The News & Advance
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine put his bare arm into the public health campaign for flu prevention Tuesday in Lynchburg, getting his shot for seasonal flu during a clinic at Linkhorne Middle School.
Graduation rate declines in Fairfax County | The Washington Examiner
The graduation rate for Hispanic students in Northern Virginia remained far below that of other students, despite pockets of improvement, according to numbers released Tuesday by the state’s department of education.
Richmond stages an artistic comeback | The Washington Post
The parking valet was just trying to be friendly. “So, are you here for the race?” he asked as my mother and I stepped out of her SUV at a Richmond hotel. “No,” we replied, smiling, and wondered: Did we, a pair of Ann Taylor-wearing 50- and 30-something women really look like NASCAR fans?
Supervisors: Loudoun County budget picture ‘bad’ | The Washington Post
Loudoun County’s budget outlook is getting worse, prompting officials to warn of looming employee layoffs and deep cuts to services.
County organizations see a growing call for help | The Fairfax Times
In the past year, the number of women and men seeking assistance from Fairfax County regarding domestic violence has risen, according to officials with local organizations.
Shenandoah supervisors OK financing | NV Daily
WOODSTOCK — The Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to finance the courthouse and Safeway building projects through the Virginia Resources Authority.
A spokesman for the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts said frustrated callers should keep trying to make appointments for their school-aged children to receive free vaccinations Thursday against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
Business Hall of Fame announces laureates | The Star City Harbinger
Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia has named two new laureates for the 19th Annual Southwest Virginia Business Hall of Fame – Spencer Frantz of Graham White Manufacturing and Claudia Whitworth, publisher of The Roanoke Tribune.
Va. may fill its own hills with Rocky Mountain elk | The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. — More than 150 years after Virginia’s last native elk was killed, game officials may try to populate the state’s southwest corner with its bigger, buff-colored cousin — the Rocky Mountain elk.
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