Del. Spruill calls $90,000 salary “no big money”

Nice to see Democrat Del. Lionel Spruill is so in touch with his constituents, as he downplays his $90,000 salary working for fellow Del. Brian Moran.
“That’s no big money I’m getting,” Spruill said. “Anyone could have matched it.” (Virginian-Pilot)
I bet a whole lot of Virginians Spruill represents think $90,000 is very big money. Nice […]

Were Del. Spruill’s votes on Del. Moran’s bills a conflict of interest?

House Rule 69 reads “no member who has an immediate and personal interest in the result of the question shall either vote or be counted upon it.” Members abstain when their employment has an interest in the outcome.
VPAP reports that Del. Brian Moran made payments to Del. Lionel Spruill throughout the year, including during […]

Obenshain unloads on Kaine, Wagner

Update (Jun. 22): More from Garren Shipley
—–
If what might be the first direct shot at Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner before her soon-to-be-announced bid for Lt. Gov., Sen. Mark Obenshain, a Republican, levels Gov. Kaine and Wagner in his latest report to constituents, continuing on the theme started this weekend by Sen. Ralph Smith.
I […]

State Senator Ralph Smith issues (another) budget warning to Gov. Kaine

State Senator Ralph Smith delivered an on-point memorandum last evening detailing the failed revenue forecasts of state finance officials that Gov. Tim Kaine inexcusably relied on when ramming through his latest budget. Because of these shortfalls, Smith is now calling on Kaine to cut spending and reduce government waste.

addthis_url […]

Editorialists blast Republicans over transportation session

Mainstream media still doesn’t get it.
In three editorials today from the Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Virginian-Pilot, the writers woefully lament how House Republicans “rejected any real attempt at raising revenue statewide”.
Damn right. And when the MSM is angry about what Republicans have done on principle, that’s usually a good sign.

addthis_url […]

McDonnell’s chances improve with House actions on transportation

While Democrats Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds voted in favor of massive tax increases to fund transportation and Gov. Tim Kaine’s transportation bill failed to muster even a single vote, it would appear that Republicans have solid ground in 2009 to demonstrate why they are the party of ideas and Democrats are mired […]

Episode 31. Virginia Politics On-Demand. July 10, 2008.

In this week’s show, Shaun Kenney and Brian Kirwin join J.R. to talk the latest in politics in Virginia. This week’s show includes:

Special guest D.J. McGuire and a discussion of why last night’s transportation effort by House Republicans was both politically and policy-wise a great move

Brian gives the back-story as to how Del. Oder’s […]

 
icon for podpress  Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (77)

It’s over…thank God the Virginia special transportation session is over!

More than two weeks and several thousands of wasted taxpayer dollars later, the General Assembly has adjourned, accomplshing…nothing!
Governor Kaine’s transportation bill was twice introduced to the floor of the House, and twice, not only did it fail, but members of his own party defected. The plan the House Democratic caucus did support contained massive […]

Sen. Yvonne Miller’s backwards priorities

When is a trip to a legislative conference more important than your actual job in the legislature?
When you’re Sen. Yvonne Miller, of course! Miller left the General Assembly session early so she could “prepare” for a trip to a legislative conference. As a result of her supreme slackatude, a list of judges agreed […]

Virginia House of Delegates passes offshore drilling bill; Colgan sends vote to Senate floor!

As expected, Del. Chris Saxman’s bill to direct potential future tax revenues gained from possible offshore resources (should the federal moratorium on gaining oil and natural gas be lifted) easily passed the House tonight 56-39. The bill was then immediately referred to the Senate’s finance committee, where Sen. Chuck Colgan (D), chairman of the […]

Hamilton wonders if Dems are serious about transportation

HB 3202 passed. It was signed into law by the governor. It was found unconstitutional. The only thing unconstitutional about it was how regional taxes and fees were imposed.
Enter HB 6055. Del. Dave Albo and Del. Phil Hamilton of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads respectively crafted this bill to ensure that […]

Tertium Quids: Podcast with RPV Chair Del. Jeff Frederick

The folks at TQ had a chance to catch up with Del. Jeff Frederick this past weekend and talk politics, transportation, and more.

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fbearingdrift.com%2F2008%2F07%2F07%2Ftertium-quids-podcast-with-rpv-chair-del-jeff-frederick%2F’;
addthis_title = ‘Tertium+Quids%3A+Podcast+with+RPV+Chair+Del.+Jeff+Frederick’;
addthis_pub = ”;

Offshore drilling bill to be voted on Wednesday

Del. Chris Saxman’s bill to encourage the exploration for natural resources in U.S. waters off the coast of Virginia, and then dedicate future revenues and royalties from offshore drilling to Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund appears well on its way to passage.
Sailing through the rules committee in a bi-partisan manner (12-3), the vote on HB 6006 […]

We ain’t Pennsylvania, and thank God!

It would be fun for bloggers, but my quick trip to Philadelphia on our nation’s birthday involved reading the newspaper, and seeing two stories side-by-side that would turn the Virginia blogosphere insane, but got nary a whimper in ol’ PA.

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fbearingdrift.com%2F2008%2F07%2F06%2Fwe-aint-pennsylvania-and-thank-god%2F’;
addthis_title = ‘We+ain%26%238217%3Bt+Pennsylvania%2C+and+thank+God%21′;
addthis_pub […]

Transportation session? I’m off to Paris!

So, despite a never-ending special session that appears to be lasting until at least next Wednesday…and is sure to see HB 6055 fail (as well as Saslaw’s Senate bill), the Majority Leader in the Senate, Dick Saslaw, has decided to take a trip to Paris, assuring that the session will continue until he gets back.
So, […]

keep looking »