This year, average health insurance premiums grew three times faster than last year, with group coverage for families rising 9% and individual premiums up 8%.  But at one Virginia university, something surprising happened. Insurance rates actually went down. Sandy Hausman explains how Washington & Lee University was able to defy the national trend.

Now that he has confirmed that he is running for Governor in 2013, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says he will have a full agenda next year. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports in this conclusion of a series on the state’s top three offices, the A-G believes that there’s much work from 2011 that must be completed in that role before he can switch into campaign mode.

As Lt. Governor Bill Bolling wraps up his second year in his second term in that position, in part two of our retrospective series on the state’s leaders, he reflects on how 2011 was slightly different than the previous year. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it was the latter part of 2011 that began shaping how 2012 and the rest of Bolling’s political future will unfold. As Lt. Governor Bill Bolling wraps up his second year in his second term in that position, in part two of our retrospective series on the state’s leaders, he reflects on how 2011 was slightly different than the previous year. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it was the latter part of 2011 that began shaping how 2012 and the rest of Bolling’s political future will unfold.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell says 2011 was indeed an interesting and challenging year for the Commonwealth, but there are many issues on his legislative agenda that he believes will help Virginia rise above the economic challenges it faces in 2012, but as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it’s his appointment this year as head of the Republican Governor’s Association, that may put an additional spotlight on what happens here.

Bills to allow absentee balloting for any reason and to provide more voting options for deployed military personnel and are just some of the measures that have already been filed for next month’s General Assembly session.  State Board of Elections Secretary Donald Palmer says lawmakers have several reasons–in addition to passing any needed reforms–to work expeditiously.

“2012 is going to have a number of elections–the Presidential preference primary including the primary for Congressional seats. Obviously, redistricting we’ll be facing again–it appears with the Congressional seats. And then the 2012 General election. And so, 2012 General election will be a test. It always is—it really tests the system because we have a larger turnout than normal and part of what we do is just prepare for that,” said Palmer.

Analysts believe Virginia could again play a pivotal role as a swing state in deciding who’s in the White House. Palmer says that’s even more incentive to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and that voters are educated about candidates, polling places, and alternatives—especially if turnout is close to 2008’s record-breaking numbers.

–Tommie McNeil

‘Assisted living’ was a relatively new concept 25 years ago but is now the most preferred long-term care option for the growing population of seniors.  However, costs and restrictions often limit access to many.

Assisted living communities provide 24-hour supervision and limited health care to thousands of seniors and disabled Virginians.  To live there, many residents must use federal benefits and Medicaid, and some also receive a small state auxiliary grant.  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s Walt Smiley told lawmakers that if community groups or families want to help financially, that could jeopardize eligibility for benefits.

“Payments from third parties cannot be used for food or shelter. These are the federal rules. And to use money from third parties for a private room or to provide better food, for example, would likely disqualify the individual from continuing to receive those benefits and maybe from Medicaid as well,” said Smiley.

But he said third-party payments for services such as medicines, eyeglasses, or dental care, would not hurt eligibility and could be helpful.

“The recipients have a significant problem paying for dental services.  Many Auxiliary Grant residents get their teeth pulled instead of fixed because it’s all they can afford,” he said.

JLARC’s report proposed state legislation to clarify that third-party funds can be used—but not for room and board.

–Anne Marie Morgan

Governor McDonnell has unveiled a proposed $85-billion state budget for the 2013-2014 biennium.  As promised, it plows an additional $100-million per year into higher education and $2.2-billion into the Virginia Retirement System.

To prepare for federal budget cuts and preserve the state’s high credit rating, the Governor adds dollars to a new contingency fund.  His plan also requires school divisions to report how much money is spent in the classroom.

“This budget includes $438 million in total new state spending for public education during the biennium,” said Gov. McDonnell.

That total includes state pension funds.  He also invests more in economic development and job creation, which Democratic Senator Janet Howell supports along with the higher ed and pension funding–but Democrats oppose the Governor’s phasing in a larger share of the sales tax for transportation maintenance.

“We do not and will not support transferring General Fund monies to transportation. And, I would point out that the Lieutenant Governor is not allowed to vote on the budget,” said Howell.

McDonnell increases funds for Medicaid, which now consumes one-fifth of the General Fund, but does not fund the inflation rate for providers. The plan calls for some higher DMV fees but has no tax increases.

— Anne Marie Morgan

In the age of blogs, Twitter and Facebook, Americans seemingly have endless options to express their views. But that doesn’t mean those opinions are welcomed. the burning of Richmond Free Press newspapers this fall didn’t just damage private property— it also infringed on the paper’s rights to free expression.

Publisher Ray Boone says efforts to stifle the paper’s progressive views have occurred for 20 years. His newspaper boxes have been run over and papers shredded. Businesses have refused to allow his boxes outside their doors. No single person or group appears to be responsible. But Boone says historically, black papers have been banned and the community has been deprived of access to information, and that battle is still not won.

“ A major test of a nation’s freedom is the degree of liberty that the people have to speak, write and publish. Based on that premise Richmond does miserably and the national generally flunks,” said Boone.

No one has been charged with burning the papers. The Virginia ACLU’s Rebecca Glenberg said regardless of the motive, the vandal limited the paper’s voice and prevented readers from hearing those views and information.

–Amanda Iacone

Cutting retirement benefits or requiring state employees to make larger pension contributions could jeopardize Virginia’s ability to recruit and retain a skilled workforce.

That’s one conclusion of a Joint Legislative and Audit and Review Commission study, which evaluated the state’s retirement programs and related options.  The watchdog agency also found the state will need to step up to the plate to maintain the long-term health of its pension fund.

Due to declining investment returns, the Virginia Retirement System Board has called for higher contribution rates.

To assess the feasibility of requiring a larger employee share, JLARC compared the value of state salaries and benefits to those of other employers who compete for the same workforce. JLARC Project Leader Tracey Smith said salaries were not competitive.

“The benefits package provided to employees IS competitive.  And its value is higher than the median provided by other employers.  The value of the state’s benefits package helps the state remain marginally competitive despite the low relative salaries.”

The report also found that the state has underfunded its share.

“The report concludes that requiring greater employee contributions before the state has made progress toward paying its portion of the benefits’ costs would be viewed by employees as unreasonable.  And it would have the greatest negative impacts on the state’s recruitment and retention objectives.”  But Smith said some changes, such as lower cost-of-living adjustments, could save money.  However, providing alternatives such as an optional 401-K-type plan may not, since only a small number of workers would choose that option.

–Anne Marie Morgan

A Richmond Circuit Court heard arguments today in a lawsuit filed by State Senate Democrats, who say the GOP Lieutenant Governor does NOT have the right to cast a tie-breaking vote on organizational matters when the General Assembly convenes next month.  The Senate will be evenly divided between the two major parties, and Democrats are asking the court to step in before the decisive legislative votes are cast.

Since Senate Democrats lost two seats in last month’s elections, Republicans have said the Lieutenant Governor’s power to cast tie-breaking votes also applies to rules that include who serves on specific committees. During the hearing, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling’s attorneys argued that he has sovereign immunity and is an officer of the Senate.  They also said Democrats can’t seek an injunction prior to a tie vote that needs Bolling’s intervention. Democratic Senator Donald McEachin, says his caucus and voters are right to be concerned.

“The rules are likely to be written in such a way, so that is takes a super majority to undo them, and we won’t be able to undo the rules after session. Moreover, there would be legislation that would pass a majority Republican committee that might pass an evenly divided committee and those things are going to effect—the Attorney General’s office is suggesting that the best way to undo that is to have individual litigants start suing  after it happens. That’s a colossal waste of judicial resources,” said McEachin.

Judge Beverly Snukals is expected to rule next week.

–Tommie McNeil