Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, faces competition in the 68th District on Tuesday from an independent turned Democrat making his fourth try for the office and from a strip-club owner running as an independent. Loupassi, an attorney whose district includes portions of the city of Richmond and Chesterfield and Henrico counties, has held the seat since 2008.
As he runs for re-election for the fourth time, Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, faces competition in the 68th District from a strip club owner running as an independent and an independent turned Democrat making his fourth try for the office. Loupassi, an attorney whose district includes portions of the city of Richmond and Chesterfield and Henrico counties, has held the seat since 2008.
The City of Richmond officially has one year to install as many bike lanes as possible. What’s behind the potential alternative-transit bonanza? An obscure change in the state’s local transportation funding formula that applies only to Richmond.
During the 2014 General Assembly session, I have again proposed equalizing the membership of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, aka RMA, among the three localities: the city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield. The bill also provides that the governing body of each of the three localities has the ability to veto any newly proposed project by the authority, or the issuance of new bonds. Additionally, the name of the RMA will be changed to the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Running as an independent with socially liberal views against Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, the Republican incumbent in the 68th House District, William K. “Bill” Grogan says he wants to fight for fair play in the workplace and elections, protect the environment and preserve individual freedoms —including the right of gays and lesbians to marry and allowing women to make their own health choices.
The son of immigrants from Greece, Republican G. Manoli Loupassi was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2007. Loupassi cites his experience as a small-business owner “who appreciates the struggles of the average person” as a credential to serve the people of the 68th District.
By a 65-32 vote, the House of Delegates on Wednesday passed legislation that would provide equal representation on the Richmond Metropolitan Authority. House Bill 1732, introduced by Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, a former City Council president, would give three seats each on a 10-member board to Richmond and to Chesterfield and Henrico counties, and one to a representative of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
An attempt to eliminate the monthly fee on E-ZPass transponders was referred today for further study in the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability, which will look at the idea later this year. After lengthy debate in the House Transportation Committee, the bill sponsored by Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, was sent for further discussion, meaning the proposal lives for another day, but the issue is dead for this session.
A constitutional amendment to put a ceiling on state debt, proposed by Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, moved forward Monday but with a provision requiring it to be rewritten. A Privileges and Elections subcommittee combined Cline’s measure with a slightly different proposal from Del. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, intended to use the constitution to limit spending.
Del. G. Manoli Loupassi’s attempt to eliminate the monthly fee on E-ZPass transponders advanced through a House subcommittee this morning over the concerns of road operators and the Virginia Department of Transportation. VDOT began charging a monthly fee of 50 cents on regular transponders and $1 for the Flex transponder for new customers as of July 9, 2012. The agency says the fee will help to cover the cost of administering the program, which allows drivers to use open air tolling gantries as opposed to stopping at a booth to toss change. The bill moves to the full House Transportation Committee, where it could face rough going.