Archive for January, 2016

Bill Creates Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products

hygieneMedication is exempt from sales tax in Virginia, and one other category could be included in that group if the legislature approves.  As Sandy Hausman reports, lawmakers are considering a bill to stop taxing feminine hygiene products.

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Virginians Want Changes to Juvenile Justice System

VCU JailVirginians are in strong favor of changes to the juvenile justice system, that’s according to a new poll from Virginia Commonwealth University.  As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, it’s good thing — because improving the system is on the agenda for lawmakers this legislative session.

 

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Can a Local Schoolboard Prohibit a Transgender Student from Using the Restroom of their Choice?

10213630306_a79ebed4f5_oA legal battle that began in a Gloucester, Virginia high school will be heard Wednesday in Richmond by a federal appeals court.In question: whether a local school board can prohibit a transgender student from using the restroom of their choice. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the answer could guide school systems nationwide.

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Attempts to Undo Gun Control Executive Order

Executive Order CCO Public Domain

CCO Public Domain

Opponents of new gun control laws have set their sights on two executive orders issued by the governor – vowing to undo Terry McAuliffe’s limits on those who want to carry concealed weapons in the Commonwealth.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

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GO VIRGINIA State Incentive Plan

GO VAVirginia has a new economic development proposal for regions within the state…it’s an effort to take some of the decision-making out of the hands of lawmakers and place it back into the hands of stakeholders.  But as Tommie McNeil reports, the concept called “Go Virginia” is also getting some mixed reviews.

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Lawmakers Are Considering Bill That Could Bring Part-Time Expertise to Schools

SchoolhouseVirginia’s schools don’t have enough qualified teachers for career and technical classes…so lawmakers in Richmond are considering a bill that would ease requirements on those jobs. Under proposed legislation, schools could hire part-time professionals who know the subject to teach, but don’t have a teaching license.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the details.

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VA Legislature Considering Bills That Would Require Search Warrant for Electronic Files

Computer SecurityCalifornia has approved a new set of laws to protect the privacy of data, and with half of all e-mails in this country passing through data centers in Virginia, this could be the next state to take action. The legislature is considering bills that would require police to get a search warrant if they want a look at your electronic files. Sandy Hausman reports.

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Lawmakers Consider Incentives to Help Homeowners Cut Energy Costs

Kilowatt Hours Creative Commons

Creative Commons

Lawmakers in Richmond are reviewing a bill that would help Virginians cut their energy costs, but critics say it could make power more expensive for customers.

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Surveying Private Property: Some Call it Trespassing

mvp_discussionPlans for three new natural gas pipelines in Virginia have been the source of contention between environmentalists and energy companies.
That debate landed in Richmond Monday, as environmental groups pushed for the repeal of a law that makes it easier for energy companies to survey private land. Mallory Noe-Payne has the details.

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VA’s Congressional Delegation Looks to the Year Ahead

capitol_dome__washington_dc_0Virginia lawmakers are laying down their legislative priorities for the new year, but Republicans doubt they can get much done with a Democrat in the White House. Matt Laslo reports from the capitol.

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Lawmakers Weigh New Regs for Restaurants

todd_howardFor seventeen years in a row, Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control board has had record-breaking sales and profits, with some revenue coming from fines it imposes on restaurants that serve too much liquor and too little food.  In a bid to keep Virginia free of bars, the state insists establishments that serve alcohol get at least 45% of their revenue from the sale of food.  Now, there’s a move to change the rule, allowing restaurants to make as little as 25% of their money from meals.  Sandy Hausman explains why lawmakers in Richmond are reviewing the rule.

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VaNews: State Reptile, School Fundraising

VPAPnewAfter a near miss in 2006, Virginia may soon have an official state reptile. And a bill now in the General Assembly would give local school districts a new way to raise revenue. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s VaNews link on vpap.org.

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Attorneys General Meet in DC to Discuss Curbing Gun Violence

Gun Club

Image: Creative Commons

While Virginia’s legislature got back to work this week, the state’s executive branch continues to try to tackle gun violence on its own.
In a first of its kind meeting, Attorneys General from Virginia, Maryland and D.C. met in Washington today to discuss how the regions can work together to reduce gun-related crime and deaths. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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The General Assembly Kicks off in Grand Fashion

Virginia_flag_mapAmid much pomp and circumstance, day one of the Virginia General Assembly kicked off today in Richmond. Mallory Noe-Payne reports on the pageantry.

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VA Lawmakers Waiting for Key Points in State of the Union

sotu2016_logo_banner_0Tonight, January 12, President Obama will deliver his last State of the Union address at the U-S Capitol. Matt Laslo will be there and he caught up with Virginia lawmakers about what they’re hoping to hear.

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Some Education Proposals Don’t Make the Grade with VA’s Teachers

 

Governor Terry McAuliffe has proposed a series of changes to public education aimed at preparing students to join the workforce, but Virginia’s  teachers may not like some of his ideas.  Sandy Hausman reports.

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VA Could Build Two New Prisons for Kids

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VA Dept of Juvenile Justice

On any given day, the state of Virginia is dealing with about 5,000 kids who’ve broken the law.  Some are on probation or parole.  Others are in community programs, but about 400 are locked up.  Eighty percent of them end up committing new crimes within three years of being released.  Now, lawmakers in Richmond will debate reforming the juvenile justice system by building two new detention centers. Sandy Hausman reports.

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General Assembly 2016 Predictions

va-capitol-2 - CopyVirginia’s legislature will begin its short session on Wednesday – hoping to consider about two thousand bills. Sandy Hausman spoke with long-time legislators and newcomers who predict plenty of fireworks before the General Assembly adjourns in about 45 days.

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VA Delegation on Gun Control

 

Gun Club

Image: Creative Commons

President Obama started the New Year off by refocusing Washington and the nation on gun control. Matt Laslo reports from Washington that he may have inadvertently broadened the gulf between him and Republicans who control Capitol Hill.

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VaNews: Help for Craft Breweries

VPAPnewA Virginia state senator wants to lend a legislative helping hand to craft breweries in the Commonwealth…and the town of Leesburg is giving some thought to separating from Loudon County and becoming a city. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s VaNews link at vpap.org. More now from Fred Echols.

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State Grant Money to Help Northern Neck Bring Tech Jobs Back to U.S.

Secretary Jones with the Northern Neck team.

Secretary Jones with the Northern Neck team.

Five economically distressed  regions of Virginia are receiving grants to stimulate job growth.  Maurice Jones, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce, traveled to the Northern Neck Friday to personally hand over a $70,000 check for a new center to help bring technology jobs back to the U.S. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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VaNews: Gun for Sale, Dangerous Bedbug Remedy

VPAPnewA new strategy for killing bedbugs has gotten the attention of the Richmond Fire Department. And, the Town of Amherst has a gun for sale. But if you’re interested, you should know it won’t be cheap. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s VaNews link on vpap.org.

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There’s More to a Good Deal than a Good Price

Present (2)

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This holiday season turned many consumers into bargain sleuths, trying to figure out the best deals, the best time to buy…. more decisions to make than ever before. But researchers say, it’s becoming clear that there’s also more to a great deal than price alone. Robbie Harris reports.

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Winter Botany at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

LewisGinter

Credit: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Recent record highs this winter may have you seeing green in your garden long before you should. Reporter Mallory Noe-Payne visited Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, to see what’s blooming.

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The Bottom Line vs. the Waistline

 

credit card and cash creative commons

Photo: Creative Commons

It’s the time of year when people may be feeling they are maxed out on their credit cards. So is it time to go ‘cash only?’  Researchers at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business warn, there’s a subtle catch to using cash. It may lead you to splurge even more.  Robbie Harris reports.

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Gov. McAuliffe Visits Cuba, Hoping to Bring Business to VA

Cuba Creative Commons

Creative Commons/Photographer Bud Ellison

Governor Terry McAuliffe is in the midst of a three-day trip to Cuba, hoping to drum up new business for Virginia, but as Sandy Hausman reports, his mission could benefit businesses nationwide.

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Maymont: Gilded Age on Display

Maymont 02

Photo Courtesy of Maymont, Dennis McWaters

Christmas may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean the festivities have ended everywhere. In Richmond, more than half a million people visit Maymont each year — a gilded age estate that’s still decorated for the holidays. Mallory Noe-Payne visited and files this report.

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