Virginia Public Radio

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.

Graphic: Women’s Monument Commission

A monument to honor the achievements of Virginia’s women will be erected on Capitol Square once the funds are raised from private sources.  The monument is said to be the first of its kind in the nation… and will join the legendary statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other historic icons on the grounds of the State Capitol.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, a design that pays tribute to specific individuals AND women from all walks of life has been selected.

When the Department of Justice told Virginia that it must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in caring for the intellectually and developmentally disabled, the state reached a compromise. The plan was to close four of its institutions and provide thousands of waiver slots through Medicaid for community-based housing. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the major stakeholders have met to evaluate the plan’s progress.

A remembrance ceremony on the grounds of Capitol Square today [Tuesday] marked the 6th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings.  State officials joined family members of students who were killed and a survivor of the shootings to honor the 32 victims who lost their lives that day.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, they also had other horrific tragedies on their minds.

The question of which candidates have qualified to be on the June 11^th primary ballot is now settled.  Four candidates are running in the statewide Democratic primary for the offices of Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, but voters may be surprised to learn that a number of Democratic and Republican candidates for the House of Delegates and local offices will also be on the ballot.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more details.

Voters can find all primary candidates in their districts on the State Board of Elections website.  The last day to register to vote for the June primary is May 20^th.

Steve Helber/AP

Although they won’t take effect until an executive branch review and the final adoption period, new abortion regulations that hold clinics to the same health and safety standards as hospitals have been sanctioned by the State Board of Health. And now, those who are against them say the Board ignored the concerns of people it represents by not granting exceptions to existing clinics—and instead choosing to be pawns of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil explains.

Image Credit: The Commonwealth Institute

While Virginians wait for the dust to settle and lawmakers breathe a sigh of relief that the transportation funding battle is over, the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis has combed through the rubble to examine its effects.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the think-tank’s report suggests that in their attempt to fix one problem, lawmakers may have actually created others.

A large contingent of Virginians says it will pressure congressional representatives to vote against  a proposal by the Obama administration that cuts into Social Security benefits. The AARP is part of the group that says the “Chained CPI” proposal breaks the promise made to millions of Americans.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the members expect all of their benefits to be available when it’s their time to collect. 

Governor McDonnell heads out West this week … before flying to the Far East on a trade mission to China and Japan.  A team of state economic development officials and cabinet secretaries will travel with the Governor on a 16-day job creation and marketing mission that begins in Los Angeles and San Francisco.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, he plans to “sell Virginia” in both Asia AND California.

A new state school division to manage some under-performing schools is not the only change to public education to be approved this year by state lawmakers.  An array of new laws to revise some programs and expand others will soon take effect.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, they will have an impact on students, teachers, and school administrations statewide.

The State Board of Elections has learned that there could be thousands of Virginia voters who are registered to vote in other states—and the number could rise once more data is collected. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil explains that as a result, the voting integrity of some of those residents who have lived in other states could be called into question.

The House has shot down one of Governor McDonnell’s budget amendments during the General Assembly’s Reconvened Session.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it will effectively scale back one of his priorities—an education reform initiative.

In the last 20 years, Virginia’s manufacturing sector has declined by 46 percent.  Given the fierce competition worldwide to attract businesses, state lawmakers are examining whether it makes sense to restructure the Commonwealth’s state and local tax system to remove financial hurdles to doing business here.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, that could include getting rid of some taxes, while imposing new ones.