As the statewide and local campaigns heat up and we move closer to a Democratic Primary, the State Board of Elections wants to remind citizens of a number of rules to remember regarding voter and candidate ethics.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the Board takes seriously state code violations which could result in fines or other penalties.

Tens of thousands of state employees will likely see an increase in the cost of their health insurance plans beginning July 1st.   They also face a deadline this week,  as the Commonwealth begins to implement significant changes in its health insurance plans.  Open enrollment for revising health benefits, investing in flexible spending accounts, adding family members, and other options ends this Friday.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, reductions in premiums could await those who enroll in a new Wellness Engine called “MyActiveHealth.”

State revenues improved a little last month following a dismal drop of 6.1%  in March.  The news reassured members of the House Appropriations Committee, who worry that federal sequestration cuts could have a negative impact on both Virginia’s economy and the state’s coffers.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Finance confirmed that they have good reason for concern.

More than 13,000 GOP convention delegates have converged on Richmond from all over the state to confirm Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as the party’s gubernatorial nominee—and to nominate their candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General on Saturday.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil talked with some of them to find out why they’re delegates, what they expect to hear Saturday, and who they’re supporting.

Liberty University is once again rolling the dice by asking a three-judge panel appointed by Presidents Clinton and Obama to side with the Christian-based college against some of the mandates in the Affordable Care Act.  The 4^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel  pointed out that Liberty’s case is broader than other, similar suits.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that some judges questioned whether it’s premature since all regulations have not yet gone into effect.

A new Quinnipiac poll gauges where Virginia voters stand on Governor Bob McDonnell in light of the relationship between McDonnell and Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, who paid for wedding catering for the Governor’s daughter.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the poll suggests that the Governor has taken a popularity hit—but not enough right now to threaten his political career.

A Richmond judge has set a trial date for the felony embezzlement case of former Executive Mansion chef Todd Schneider, who is accused of stealing food from the residence.  Schneider also catered the wedding of Governor McDonnell’s daughter, and his descriptions of the relationships between Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, the McDonnell family, and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have prompted new investigations but no new charges.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more details from the courthouse in Richmond.

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Gregory Underwood will now handle the state embezzlement case of a former Executive Mansion chef.  That’s because a Richmond circuit court judge has agreed to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s request to withdraw from the case.  But  it’s not certain yet whether the chef who believes he’s a whistleblower will have to go to trial.

Todd Schneider’s lawyers argued that because the Attorney General knew of alleged improprieties between the Governor’s office and the CEO of nutritional supplements-maker Star Scientific, the Attorney General’s office should not have filed the charges against Schneider to begin with, and the case should be dismissed.

Judge Margaret Spencer delayed ruling on that until the new prosecutor can review the case.  Schneider claims that Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams broke ethics laws by paying the catering bill for the wedding of McDonnell’s daughter.

The AG had asked to recuse himself, in part, because his office would face a conflict with state employees who may be called as witnesses.  The next hearing has been set for May 14.

While other states with a high military presence brace for the effects of sequestration, Virginia leaders are preparing for a double whammy with the possibility of another Base Realignment and Closure of key facilities.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, unlike the last round of closures where the Commonwealth had little input, a gubernatorial commission is devising a strategy to make potential cuts less harmful.

The State Board of Education is moving forward with proposed “cut” or passing scores for Standards of Learning. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the new cut scores are to help implement more rigorous standards to promote college and career readiness.

No action has been taken yet, but next month when the Virginia State Board of Education meets, it will discuss establishing new licensing requirements for educators who teach only online courses. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it reflects a concern that while online courses may be an effective cost-cutting measure, the reduced level of student-teacher interaction could decrease the effectiveness of instruction.

A study by the George Mason University Mercatus  Center ranks Virginia 8th among the 50 states in overall freedom.  Analysts examined a wide range of public policies and categories to create an index that measures both personal and economic freedoms.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Commonwealth’s approach to fiscal and regulatory policies fared better than some other measures.