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Here's to a bright 2016. Open the doors and windows. Let the sun in.
From Red Oak to Greenville, Bluefield to Orange, and Goldvein to Silver Beach, VaNews delivers headlines from every corner of Virginia that would be hard to find on your own. This free, nonprofit resource relies entirely on voluntary contributions from readers like you. Please donate now! |
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Virginia to stop honoring some out-of-state concealed handgun permits
Beginning Feb. 1, Virginia will no longer honor the out-of-state concealed handgun carry permits of gun owners from more than two dozen of the states with which the commonwealth currently has reciprocal privileges. The move, expected to be announced today by Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, follows an audit conducted by the attorney general’s office and the Virginia State Police pursuant to the state criminal code, which requires both agencies to determine whether reciprocating states “meet the requirements and qualifications” for recognition of their concealed handgun permits.
McAuliffe wants 8 percent solar electricity at Virginia government agencies
Virginia has a new goal for solar energy use by state agencies: In the next three years, 8 percent of their electricity will come from solar, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Monday. The state will work with Dominion Virginia Power and other, yet-to-be-disclosed solar companies, McAuliffe said. Costs will be paid by the state.
McAuliffe sets solar energy goal for Va. government
Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that Virginia must use solar energy to help power state government. As a way to jump start the solar industry in the commonwealth, McAuliffe said state office buildings will derive 8 percent of their energy from solar sources in the next three years.
As climate panel weighs in, McAuliffe stakes out solar goal
Gov. Terry McAuliffe released the recommendations of a state commission on climate change Monday and set a three-year target for state government to draw 8 percent of its electricity from solar power.
McAuliffe sets 8% solar power goal for state government
Virginia’s slow march into solar energy gained pace Monday with Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s announcement that the state government will work to derive at least 8 percent of its electricity from solar power within the next three years. The target for solar energy translates to about 110 megawatts, or enough to power about 27,000 homes or more than the entire community college system uses annually.
Clemency granted in 2003 Crozet double-murder
Robert Paul Davis, who was convicted of two murders he said he did not commit, was granted clemency from Gov. Terry McAuliffe and was released Monday night from the Coffeewood Correctional Center, where he was serving a 23-year sentence. Davis was charged in the killing of a mother and her toddler son in Crozet nearly 13 years ago when he was 18. Two others also were convicted in connection with the case.
Virginia to end concealed carry reciprocity with other states
Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) plans to announce Tuesday that Virginia will no longer recognize concealed carry handgun permits from 25 states that have reciprocity agreements with the commonwealth. The move also means Virginians with a history of stalking, drug dealing or inpatient mental-health treatment cannot obtain a permit in a state with comparatively lax laws and carry a handgun legally at home.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Three Va. lawmakers propose changes in pre-approval of hospital expansions
Three Republican members of Virginia’s House of Delegates on Monday called for a repeal of Virginia health-care laws that they say curb competition and stifle innovation. The move reflects a national push to eliminate regulations that require state pre-approval of hospital expansions, surgery centers and certain medical services. Some hospitals say that the regulations, known as “certificate of public need” laws, prevent providers from artificially increasing prices and protect facilities that care for indigent patients.
First shots fired in Virginia General Assembly's health care battle
A Virginia law that some say protects hospitals from cutting vital services and others believe shields hospitals from competition will be a prime target in this year's General Assembly. Three senior members of the House of Delegates' Republican caucus said they plan to file a slew of bills to do away with much of Virginia's Certificate of Public Necessity (COPN) law.
Trio of House of Delegates Republicans plan to push hospital deregulation
Saying a study group’s recommendations for reforming Virginia’s rules for approving new hospitals and expensive medical equipment don’t go far enough, three Republican delegates say they plan to introduce legislation to begin dismantling the controversial certificate of public need system. Dels. John M. O’Bannon III of Henrico County, Kathy J. Byron of Bedford County and Christopher K. Peace of Hanover County announced their proposed changes to the state certificate of public need program, known as COPN, during a telephone conference call Monday.
House Republicans to push for competition in Virginia health care
Republicans in the House of Delegates said Monday they’ll push a legislative package next year designed to enhance competition in Virginia health care. In a conference call with reporters, Republicans said a series of bills, if passed, would phase out most state laws requiring what’s called a “certificate of public need” for hospitals, surgery centers and medical-imaging services.
Virginia lawmakers seek to ease 'student debt crisis'
Two Democratic members of the Virginia General Assembly say they plan to sponsor legislation to address what they described as a “student debt crisis.” Del. Marcus Simon and Sen. Janet Howell, both of Northern Virginia, said the state needs new laws to regulate student debt and let students refinance their loans under certain circumstances.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS
GOP pledge in primary could cause heartburn for pollworkers
The large number of candidates vying in Virginia’s March 1 presidential primaries is not causing Arlington election officials anxiety. But a decision by state Republican leaders is. Thirteen Republicans and three Democrats have qualified to be on the ballot in their respective primaries. The two primary elections will be held together at regular polling places across Virginia.
STATE GOVERNMENT
DMV offers license to smile
It is now OK to smile at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Whether you want to, of course, is an entirely different matter.
Fort Monroe Authority begins a new vision quest
he Fort Monroe Authority Board of Trustees is preparing to tackle how Fort Monroe moves into the future, after a presentation at Friday's meeting teed up a discussion about the direction of Fort Monroe's economic development efforts. David Shiver, a consultant with BAE Urban Economics, gave an overview of an economic model developed in 2013 to help the Fort Monroe Authority achieve financial sustainability for the former military base, which was handed over to the state-supported authority after the Army base closed in 2011.
CONGRESS
Rep. Brat: 2016 spending bill a disaster
U.S. Congress avoided another government shutdown Friday when it overwhelmingly approved an enormous tax and spending package promptly signed by President Barack Obama. Rep. Dave Brat, R-Richmond, was among the minority voting against the $1.1 trillion spending bill and $680 million tax package that he called a disaster.
TRANSPORTATION
Metro’s nine-hour fare machine problem has been solved, agency says
Metro’s fare payment machines were beset by issues throughout the day Monday, but the problem was resolved in time for the evening commute, the transit agency said. At first, the agency said its fare payment machines were unable to process “some” credit card transactions, but by afternoon the problem grew to encompass all credit and debit card transactions systemwide.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Virginia Retirement System backs off retirement changes for universities
The Virginia Retirement System is backing off planned changes to the retirement accounts held by about 13,000 past and present professors, instructors and other staffers at many of the state's colleges and universities. That followed an outcry from university faculties across the state — including at Christopher Newport University and the College of William and Mary — about changes that would have created new accounts for future investments and could possibly have shifted some current holdings.
Renewal of federal loan program impacts Mary Baldwin
Congress voted last week to renew for two years the Federal Perkins Loan Program, a program that affects at least 130 Mary Baldwin College students, and nearly 8,000 college and university students across Virginia. The program offers loans to students with low family income and can include an award of up to $5,000, said Lois Williams, vice president for student enrollment management at Mary Baldwin.
LOCAL
As Norfolk rezoning vote is delayed, councilman alleges a political ploy
The City Council did plenty of business at its last meeting. It voted to rezone land in Lamberts Point, to buy a $10 million parking garage downtown and to sell a vacant school so it could be redeveloped, among other actions. But the most intriguing vote of the Dec. 15 meeting could have been the one that never happened.
Embezzler clerk allowed to move, must pay restitution
A former Onancock town clerk convicted of embezzling more than $9,000 from the town will be allowed to relocate to Texas and will be required to pay at least $100 a month until total restitution is made. Colleen Reiber, 49, of Pungoteague, still owes $5,598.95 in restitution.
Today's Sponsor:
The Philip A. Shucet Company
Here's to a bright 2016. Open the doors and windows. Let the sun in.
EDITORIALS
Parade an exercise in free speech
A Roanoke organization tried to do the right thing in allowing a Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter to join the city Christmas parade with its own float. The plan drew complaints from the Roanoke NAACP, but Downtown Roanoke Inc. defended the organization’s First Amendment right to expression.
New Day For City GOP?
Finally, what city Republicans considered their long internecine nightmare — it may be over. Meeting Thursday night, committee members accepted the resignation of erstwhile Chairman Beau Correll and named former Winchester Councilor Dick Helm as interim chair. Both moves should be viewed positively.
A tale of two budgets
Virginia and federal budget proposals emerged last week and, gee, both of them are rather large. Which, in the context of Virginia political history, is just about all it takes to inspire howls of opposition from partisans. Return with us to yesterday, for instance — April 2, 1997 — and a fundraising letter sent out to potential donors by then-Attorney General Jim Gilmore.
Budget bill is a 'gift' for region's economy
Among the things federal workers in the Fredericksburg area and the businesses that serve them have to be thankful for this holiday season is that they won’t live under the threat of a government shutdown. Before leaving Washington on Friday for its Christmas break, Congress approved a $1.1 trillion budget bill that is paired with nearly $700 billion in tax breaks. President Obama promptly signed the Omnibus Appropriations Act to keep the government functioning through fiscal 2016, which ends Sept. 30.
Richmond's Soap Opera Digest
Miss an episode of your favorite soap? Never fear! Catch up with The Times-Dispatch’s helpful recap digest. THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
COLUMNISTS
Chesley: Two states, two parties, same cynicism on redistricting
It's great when Republicans and Democrats agree on issues facing the republic. Except when it’s not. I bring this up because both major political parties tend to act just as cravenly when it comes to redistricting, depending on the state and which party controls the process. Legislators don’t want to turn over the line-drawing to an independent body, fearing their party-mates would lose if voters had a legitimate choice on Election Day. How high-minded of them.
PolitFact: McAuliffe's claim that he inherited $2.4 billion deficit.
It’s a set part of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s spiel to talk about how he "inherited a $2.4 billion deficit" when he took office in January 2014 and managed, with the bipartisan help of legislators, to balance the state budget. In a recent PolitiFact, we checked McAuliffe’s claim that the shortfall was left behind by his predecessor, Republican Bob McDonnell. We noted that McDonnell proposed a balanced budget before leaving office and records show that the brunt of the economic slowdown that caused the shortfall, although not McAuliffe’s fault, occurred during his watch. We rated that claim Mostly False.
OP-ED
Habr: The risks oil lobbyists don't want you to know
As the Obama Administration nears a final decision about opening the Virginia coast to offshore drilling, outsider oil and gas industry representatives have ramped up their campaign to drill. But these oil lobbyists do not represent the many Virginians that stand firmly opposed to the proposal to open our coasts to offshore drilling — business owners, community members, fishermen, and families along the coast. After all, we're the ones whose jobs would be put at risk if offshore drilling begins off our coast.
Thompson-Stacy: A Commonwealth In Need
On Dec. 17, Gov. McAuliffe presented a state budget proposal to the General Assembly, which includes $25 million for workforce training programs at community colleges. The goal: credential more Virginians in high-demand fields. We need more skilled welders, machinists, and HVAC techs in our community. In Northern Virginia, a certified electrician is one of the hardest jobs to fill. Also in demand are commercial truck drivers, cyber-security and IT analysts, and skilled technicians in health care, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Cowles: Funding Public Education: Virginia can do more - and better
Governor McAuliffe’s top budget priority is public education, and he proposes greater funding. This is great news. Unfortunately, his approach is flawed. It perpetuates, even aggravates, funding inequities that burden high-poverty school districts — like Richmond.