Virginia Public Radio

A special cyber-security panel of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science has voted to move forward with crafting state legislation to enable many deployed military voters to cast their absentee ballots on-line.  The panel decided that the pilot program should focus on active-duty military personnel based outside of the continental U.S.–instead of also including spouses and other employees. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, some expressed concern about security challenges and ensuring the integrity of those ballots.

College students have just as much at stake in the upcoming November elections as any other Virginian, and what the next Governor does may significantly impact the choices students make.  It’s why a panel of university student leaders grilled both Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli during a Google “Hangout for Higher Ed.”  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, both gubernatorial candidates say tackling the costs of college and initiating economic development to help graduates are top priorities.

Chef Todd Schneider/FILE

The criminal trial of a former Executive Mansion chef accused of embezzlement will proceed as planned.  Richmond Circuit Court Judge Margaret Spencer had considered a motion by the defense to dismiss the case against Todd Schneider.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, she ruled late today Friday that there is no reason to do so.

On the heels of the recent Supreme Court decision striking down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Human Rights Campaign and other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations are throwing their support behind the three Democrats running for statewide office. The candidates pledge that upon being elected to office they’ll act to reverse certain restrictions on the LGBT community. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, other officials say they will also champion the cause regardless of the election’s outcome.

Virginians will soon be able to register to vote on-line thanks to a new state system that will “go live” on Wednesday. Residents will still have the option of using standard paper applications … and can still register at the DMV or other agencies.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, state officials believe the digital forms can prevent the mistakes that sometimes accompany the paper versions.

Chef Todd Scheider/File

The judge presiding over the case of a former Executive Mansion chef accused of embezzlement says that she will make a decision by the end of the week on whether to dismiss the charges.  Richmond Circuit Court Judge Margaret Spencer also heard oral arguments by defense attorney Steven Benjamin–who asked for dismissal of the charges against Todd Schneider–and the special prosecutor, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Gregory Underwood, who argued against dropping the charges.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more details from the courthouse in Richmond.

More bills that have become state law as of July 1st include a series of changes in education policies that were key parts of the Governor’s legislative agenda during this year’s General Assembly session. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that while the reforms were initially met with mixed reviews, many past and present education leaders on both sides of the political aisle now say that without them, some students could fall behind.

Nearly two dozen new or “tweaked” public safety laws are now in effect as of Monday.  Many, such as a two-year moratorium on the use of drones in the Commonwealth, may go unnoticed.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports in Part 4 of our series, lawmakers say that if they improve the quality of life for just one person, they’re well worth the debate, financial commitment, and paper they’re printed on.

Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to suspend part of the Voting Rights Act, Virginia’s General Assembly had already passed some revisions to state election law.  Although the Commonwealth IS one of the states that the Act had mandated for Justice Department pre-clearance, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli believes at least some of the bills passed earlier this year are necessary.  In Part 5 of our series on the new state laws that just took effect, Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that lawmakers passed them with a goal of ensuring the integrity of elections.

Texting-while-driving was already against the law, but now police have a new tool that will enable them to hand out more citations.  Supporters of the revised Virginia law hope that steep fines will deter drivers from taking their eyes off the road to read and send text messages.  But in part 2 of our series on new state laws that took effect this week, Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports that texting is not the only activity that’s targeted. 

Among the new state laws that take effect today is the marquis legislation of this year’s General Assembly session:  the long-term transportation-funding plan.  With road maintenance eating away at construction dollars and the gas tax losing ground as an adequate funding source, lawmakers decided that a wholesale revision of the transportation funding formula was necessary.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the changes will impact not only drivers but all consumers who make purchases.

A Virginia contingent including the group Environment Virginia is reacting to President Obama’s new EPA regulations and the crackdown on CO2-producing power plants.  The members are speaking out about how they believe Virginia is being affected by gas emissions …and note that the Commonwealth broke several heat, snow, and rainfall records last year.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, they also say that the rise over the years of a debilitating tick-born disease is just as disturbing.

Before Democrats, including Vice President Joe Biden, converge on Richmond this weekend for their Jefferson-Jackson dinner, another caucus will take place. The members say that as the Latino presence expands in Virginia, it’s imperative for them to be politically involved—especially as lawmakers make decisions specific to their communities with or without their input.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, that’s also why the Commonwealth’s Democratic Latino Organization has called its members to meet in Richmond this Saturday.

There is mixed reaction in Virginia regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of federal recognition of all legal marriages. In a statement, the Attorney General’s office says it will defend the Virginia Constitution, which defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, that position is pitted against another legal juggernaut, the ACLU, which is applauding the decision and says it will fight to pave the way for same-sex marriages within the state.

An amendment proposed by U.S. Senator Mark Warner to the immigration-reform bill is languishing in the Senate even as the legislation moves closer to passage.  The amendment would enable more highly skilled, foreign-born college graduates and entrepreneurs in science and technology to start businesses in the U.S.   Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports that as China, India, and other nations make gains to close their economic gaps with the U.S., Warner believes his plan is more imperative than ever.

Chris Chmura,
Chmura Economics & Analytics

A well-known economist is relaxing her predictions somewhat about the effects of federal sequestration on Virginia and now sees a reason for some optimism. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Chris Chmura says although the impact of the cuts will still hurt the Commonwealth more than most states, she expects there will be some modest job growth.

A panel of experts whose responsibility is preparing Virginia for more uniform laws throughout the 50 states is NOT ready to sign off on proposed human trafficking legislation. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, while one Commissioner for Promotion of Uniformity of Legislation believes the concept is great, he also says some tweaking is needed before the Commonwealth joins the other states that are ready right now.

Planned Parenthood and abortion-rights advocates may have lost the battle over the implementation of new Regulations for Licensure of Abortion Facilities, but now the organization is targeting the gubernatorial campaign of the man they say is responsible for those new laws.  Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is now the recipient of Planned Parenthood Virginia PAC’s “Gynotician of the Year Award.”
Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that in addition to the stethoscope and certificate dropped off at his office, the group hopes its efforts will result in handing him a defeat in November.

Photo Credit: Every Child Matters Campaign

Child advocates are calling out statewide candidates and demanding they take a stand on children’s issues and make them a major part of their campaigns.  The  “Strong Kids, Strong Virginia” initiative was launched after a recent Mason-Dixon survey found that the gubernatorial candidates’ views on the matter are murkier than those of current and former governors. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the coalition aims to raise awareness of these issues so that candidates and elected officials will take notice. 

A panel of state lawmakers has begun a serious review of Virginia’s tax credits, exemptions, deductions, and similar “preferences.”
The evaluation comes after the Joint Audit and Legislative Review Commission found that the tax breaks did not always perform as intended, were often inefficient, and cost the state billions of dollars in revenues.
But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the members of the Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate Tax Preferences say that overhauling the tax code will not be easy.

The General Assembly panel tasked with deciding whether Virginia should expand its Medicaid program or not held its first meeting–in a room packed with expansion opponents, many representing groups such as Americans for Prosperity.

The Senators and Delegates wasted no time getting up to speed on the complex facts about how the program currently operates. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the need for more flexible administration and control of skyrocketing costs emerged as two of the major themes.

Photo Credit: Virginia Organizing

A comprehensive immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate that survived an effort to expand its border-security requirements still has a long way to go before its passage.  Meanwhile, a House bill with tougher enforcement provisions is being advanced by Republicans-led by 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a state coalition says the Commonwealth’s residents prefer the Senate version … and it’s urging the Congressional delegation to support it.

Several organizations are still advocating for Virginia lawmakers to expand Medicaid within the Commonwealth. Opponents have argued that it is already too costly, is the largest single item in the state budget, and is in need of many reforms. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the Department of Medical Assistance Services says it is addressing one major expense-by simplifying the process for providing care to those who receive both Medicaid and Medicare.

Painting themselves as the “mainstream ticket,” the Democratic nominees for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General say Virginians have a clear contrast between them and the Republican nominees, which the Democrats have dubbed “the Tea Party ticket.” And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, as a show of solidarity, the defeated primary candidates announced that they’re now committing themselves to getting their former opponents elected.

Not all minds learn the same way.  However, when it comes to education, millions of children across the U.S. are swept into the same system of state and federal mandates—with expectations of positive academic results AND developing a sense of individuality. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, parents at Patrick Henry Elementary school in Richmond, the Commonwealth’s only elementary charter school, are telling lawmakers that the state needs more charter schools and it’s time to get rid of the associated stigma.