California 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.
Archive for January, 2016
Bill Creates Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 28, 2016
Medication 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.
Virginians Want Changes to Juvenile Justice System
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 28, 2016
Virginians 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.
Can a Local Schoolboard Prohibit a Transgender Student from Using the Restroom of their Choice?
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 26, 2016
A 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.
Attempts to Undo Gun Control Executive Order
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates, VaNews from VPAP, Virginia's News on January 26, 2016

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.
GO VIRGINIA State Incentive Plan
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 24, 2016
Virginia 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.
Lawmakers Are Considering Bill That Could Bring Part-Time Expertise to Schools
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 21, 2016
Virginia’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.
VA Legislature Considering Bills That Would Require Search Warrant for Electronic Files
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 21, 2016
Lawmakers Consider Incentives to Help Homeowners Cut Energy Costs
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 20, 2016

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.
Surveying Private Property: Some Call it Trespassing
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 20, 2016
Plans 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.
VA’s Congressional Delegation Looks to the Year Ahead
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 20, 2016
Virginia 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.
Lawmakers Weigh New Regs for Restaurants
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia's News on January 20, 2016
For 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.
VaNews: State Reptile, School Fundraising
Posted by kelseap6 in VaNews from VPAP on January 20, 2016
After 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.
Attorneys General Meet in DC to Discuss Curbing Gun Violence
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 15, 2016

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.
The General Assembly Kicks off in Grand Fashion
Posted by kelseap6 in Virginia, Virginia's News on January 13, 2016
Amid much pomp and circumstance, day one of the Virginia General Assembly kicked off today in Richmond. Mallory Noe-Payne reports on the pageantry.
VA Lawmakers Waiting for Key Points in State of the Union
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 12, 2016
Tonight, 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.
Some Education Proposals Don’t Make the Grade with VA’s Teachers
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 12, 2016

Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
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.
VA Could Build Two New Prisons for Kids
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates on January 12, 2016

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.
General Assembly 2016 Predictions
Posted by kelseap6 in Assembly Conversations, Virginia, Virginia's News on January 11, 2016
Virginia’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.
VA Delegation on Gun Control
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Virginia's News on January 11, 2016

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.
VaNews: Help for Craft Breweries
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in VaNews from VPAP on January 11, 2016
A 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.
State Grant Money to Help Northern Neck Bring Tech Jobs Back to U.S.
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Virginia's News on January 10, 2016

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.
VaNews: Gun for Sale, Dangerous Bedbug Remedy
Posted by kelseap6 in VaNews from VPAP, Virginia's News on January 8, 2016
A 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.
There’s More to a Good Deal than a Good Price
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Virginia's News on January 8, 2016

Creative Commons
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.
Winter Botany at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Virginia's News on January 8, 2016

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.
The Bottom Line vs. the Waistline
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Virginia's News on January 8, 2016

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.
Gov. McAuliffe Visits Cuba, Hoping to Bring Business to VA
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates, Virginia's News on January 4, 2016

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.
Maymont: Gilded Age on Display
Posted by Virginia Public Radio in Daily Capitol News Updates, Virginia's News on January 3, 2016

Photo Courtesy of Maymont, Dennis McWaters