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Virginia Legislature

Thursday, January 24, 2013

McDonnell Urges Northern Virginia Business Leaders, Residents to Back Transportation Plan

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell tours state Thursday asking for support, says plan could jumpstart several projects in Northern Virginia.

Gov. Bob McDonnell spent Thursday traveling across the state to urge area business leaders and residents to support his “Virginia’s Road to the Future” transportation plan, saying his proposal could help jumpstart a number of projects in Northern Virginia that have seemed to stall. The plan has gotten mixed reviews from some state legislators so far this session, but a new poll from Christopher Newport University showed 63 percent of Virginia voters support McDonnell's plan, which hinges on doing away with the state’s 17.5 cents per gallon gas tax and increasing the state sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent. The poll, released Thursday, surveyed 1,015 people across the state on a number of issues, including the governor's plan. …

Amanda Andere

4:14 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013

This plan will shift hundreds of millions of dollars out of the general fund and into transportation over the next several years. Unlike other cuts, this is a permanent loss of funds for schools, public safety, social services, environmental protection, and healthcare. Read more here www.thecommonwealthinstitute.org/2013/01/24/running-on-empty/   more ›

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

5 things to know about the State Legislature Which Opens Today

Republicans are in control

The Virginia State legislature opens today in Richmond 1. Republicans control the governor's office, the House of Delegates and the State Senate for only the second time since the Civil War. The State legislature consists of 40 members in the Senate and 100 in the House. 2. Expect fireworks in the state Senate which has 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, presides over the Senate and therefore casts deciding votes on issues including committee assignments --- but not the state budget. 2. Also for the first time you can actually track bills, at least in the House  thanks to two local representatives -- Del. Mark Keam and Del. Jim LeMunyon. Keam represents a sliver of McLean. Previously, the only way …

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