Each year, the Virginia General Assembly wrestles with a number of issues that make headlines.  But lawmakers often complain that the news media disregard some of the topics that should have gotten more attention.  So this year, Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil asked several state leaders and a political analyst what they think will drive the 46-day session now underway.

Virginia’s small farmers are applauding proposed legislation that would guarantee their right to market byproducts related to the crops and other food they’re cultivating.  The Right to Farm Act was introduced in response to enforcement actions by Fauquier County against a local farmer, who was fined for allegedly violating zoning ordinances.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the bill’s advocates say many family farms will not survive if the state law is not clarified.

Virginia would set up strict regulations to oversee uranium mining and milling under legislation recommended by the General Assembly’s Coal and Energy Commission.  The multi-agency rules would regulate operations only in Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County and would not automatically lift a ban on mining uranium in other parts of the state.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, opponents vowed to prevent the bill from passing both houses of the General Assembly.

The nation may have avoided the fiscal cliff for now, but a prominent economist tells the Virginia Association of Bankers and state business leaders that Congress only delayed across-the-board cuts or sequestration for a couple of months. 

She says if the U.S. House and Senate don’t find a solution by March 1, it will take effect and Virginia would take the biggest hit.

Economist Chris Chmura says in the previous year, Virginia won more federal contract awards than any other state. She says without sequestration, Virginia should expect to see point nine percent economic growth.  But if the next round of sequestration takes effect, it could send the state into a recession and result in the loss of 156-thousand jobs, mostly in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads:

“When we look at all of the spending that goes out—here I’m just looking at D.O.D. contracts, about 50-percent of it is professional business services. And if we go to Northern Virginia, a lot more than 50-percent of all those contracts in Northern Virginia are going to professional business services firms. If we look at Hampton Roads, almost 50-percent is in manufacturing for D.O.D. contracts and of course, that’s because of the ship building sector down there.”

Even if an alternative is found, Chmura says Virginia will still grow slower than the nation this year, which is rare.  She also warns that by the end of March, another government shutdown is looming if the Senate and Congress don’t approve funding.  Chmura spoke in Richmond at the Second Annual Financial Forecast Event.

-by Tommie McNeil

Governor McDonnell says the first phase of his education plan rolled out last month placed a lot of emphasis on teaching and administrative reforms to increase accountability.  In the second phase announced Thursday, his latest proposals would also hold school systems more accountable.

The Governor has dubbed the complete package the “All Students” plan.  McDonnell says within the U.S., the quality of Virginia’s education ranks very high, but compared to other nations, U.S. education rankings are dismal.  McDonnell says good quality teachers make the difference, but attracting them can be challenging—so he supports bringing the Teach for America Act to Virginia.

“And so what we hope to do with Teach for America is be able to recruit and train and retain top college graduates from across the country to accept full time teaching assignments in either under performing or hard to staff schools in Virginia.”

The Governor proposes allowing school divisions to request waivers from the state from some mandates.  He also says parents tend to be more responsive when they know how a school performs, and he wants the current, complicated school ratings system to be updated to use the A through F grading scale.  And McDonnell proposes more funds for programs that promote early literacy, algebra, and reading, kindergarten readiness, and a discipline system to reduce classroom disruptions.

–Tommie McNeil

When lawmakers convene next week for the 2013 General Assembly session, one of the issues they will deliberate is increasing the penalties for cigarette trafficking, which has the support of the bipartisan State Crime Commission.   As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the panel’s recommendations include lengthening the prison time for convictions and reclassifying the types of offenses.

Governor McDonnell has already started rolling out initiatives for his final General Assembly session.  Since 2013 will be his last year in office, he says he has two major priorities in addition to his usual focus on jobs and economic development.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, while the Governor is still keeping some of the details close to the vest—he’s made it clear that the status quo is unacceptable.

Governor McDonnell has been in the national spotlight for much of 2012, as a surrogate for former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, as Chair of the Republican Governor’s Association, and as a supporter of some of the more controversial bills that came out of the General Assembly session.  In part 3 of our year-in-review series, Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that the Governor hopes to build on recent achievements for his final year in office.

There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what lies ahead for Lt. Governor Bill Bolling now that he has decided not to run for Governor as a Republican next year, but he says as the state’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer, his responsibility in the final year of his term will continue to be boosting the state’s economy. But in part two of our year-end review Bolling not only reflects on the past three years in the McDonnell administration, but how he will address issues differently during the 2013 General Assembly session.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says while he’s looking forward to next year’s Governor’s race , there are several projects he started in 2012 that he must wrap up in 2013 before he can truly focus on what lies beyond the A-G’s office. In this first part of our year-end series, we look at those projects that will carry over into the new year and have an impact on the Commonwealth.

Fiscal cliff aside, the holidays do make it possible for politicians to forget about their differences and roll up their sleeves to help benefit their most needy constituents.  A Republican Governor, a Democratic Congressman, and the GOP House Majority Leader recently did just that to help feed those who are most in need during the holiday season.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

Less than three weeks before the start of the 2012 General Assembly Session, House Democrats have revealed what they believe will be one of the most pressing issues:  the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, one goal is for the Commonwealth to transition from an exchange run by the federal government to a state exchange that allows many residents to shop for their own insurance policies.

Legislation to allow government advisory panels to expand the use of electronic meetings for official business is on its way to the General Assembly.

The Freedom of Information Advisory Council has recommended a revision to Virginia’s open-government laws that could potentially allow greater participation statewide and enhance efficiency.  The distant meetings could only be held in plain view of the public, who would also be invited to attend.

While remote members of government bodies often take part by phone, the panel can’t act without a physical quorum in one place.  The proposal allows STATE subcommittee or advisory panel members who are distant to help make a quorum and vote.  Supporters say the panels would be more efficient, benefit from talented people who can’t travel, and provide local public events.  But Craig Merritt said the Virginia Press Association prefers only a pilot program.

“Is the quality of interaction between the public and a public body the same—if there is no quorum or core group that is physically assembled for the public to see how people interact with each other, what their body language is, what their response is?”

Council Chair and Senator Richard Stuart countered that the change would not apply to full committees.

“A lot of these meetings will give you the ability to get up and speak and interact with the entire committee.  We’re just talking about subcommittees that, in essence, would make a recommendation for us to then have a full debate on the issue.”

To allay VPA concerns, the bill would require audio-visual communication and expire in a year unless renewed.

-by Anne Marie Morgan

Governor McDonnell has announced his proposed adjustments to the two-year state budget … and has revised his revenue forecast downward for a more cautious spending approach as the federal fiscal cliff impasse continues.   The Governor made some modest cuts and spending increases, and said he especially wants to focus on education and transportation during the upcoming General Assembly session.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, not everyone agrees with those plans.

While Governor McDonnell was making an announcement about the first phase of an education reform package, a Task Force for Local Government Mandate Review was finalizing recommendations that could be part of the Governor’s next phase of reforms.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

As part of a series of efforts to empower educators and reform schools in Virginia, Governor McDonnell is proposing that teachers and support staff receive a two percent pay increase—for the first time in five years. The Governor also would like to revise state policies to help recruit, retain, and reward excellent teachers.

The pay raises would become effective July 1 of next year—contingent on General Assembly approval of changes in the teacher contract and evaluation process.  McDonnell also proposed strategic compensation grants for teachers, incentives for teachers in STEM-H subjects, and a potential revision in medical benefits.

“I’ve directed the Department of Human Resource Management to also evaluate the efficacy and the actuarial soundness of putting teachers into the state health plan,” said Governor McDonnell.

The Governor also introduced what he calls the “Educator Fairness Act,” which extends teacher probation from three to five years.  It would define “incompetence” to include one or more unsatisfactory performance evaluations, and define the relationship between the evaluation and the contract.  It also streamlines educator grievance procedures.  In addition, the initiative includes creation of a Virginia Teacher Cabinet comprised of teachers who would provide input to the Governor, Secretary of Education, and State Board of Education.

–Tommie McNeil

Virginia has been installing dry fire hydrants throughout the Commonwealth since 1988, but these devices which are vital to fire fighting efforts outside of urban areas, are still rather scarce, primarily because of limited state funds. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports because state agencies and those who represent them are limited in how they appeal to the public for money, it may be up to residents of private developments in rural communities to secure additional funding for them.

The General Assembly’s watchdog agency has been analyzing the costs and benefits of providing state incentives that could help local governments collaborate.  The regional partners could share staff, tackle construction projects, or jointly deliver services-and perhaps even alleviate some fiscal stress. Regional cooperation in several existing programs points the way to how it could work in others.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that regional jails exemplify successful collaboration.  The state reimburses half of a locality’s costs to operate a regional jail.  That’s twice the reimbursement for a local jail-and costs localities about $23 less per inmate each day.  Project Leader Tracey Smith said of 13 potential collaborative opportunities, six can benefit localities and produce state savings or advance state policy goals.  She said one example is special ed-in cases where schools have needed private providers.

“Services in privately-run programs for students on the autism spectrum cost about $13,000 per year more than regional programs.  We also looked at data on service costs for students with disorders falling under the emotional disturbance disability category.  These services are about $6500 per year more expensive when provided by a private program versus a regional program, said Smith.

Other opportunities are career education, foster care, public safety communications, and pretrial services.  The report recommended prioritizing state incentives for those programs.

–Anne Marie Morgan

For many years, Northern Virginia school divisions have received extra funds from the state to supplement the salaries of their teachers and other school personnel.  This “Cost of Competing Adjustment” was a source of contention during the last budget negotiations—in light of the state’s cautious fiscal policies since the nation’s economic downturn.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is now examining whether that adjustment formula may be outdated.

A rite of passage for young adults is securing and maintaining their first job.  It helps develop drive, independence, social skills, and a work ethic.  But what happens when a young person continually has the door slammed in his face, even years after submitting his first application?  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it’s happening more often right now in the Commonwealth and nationwide.

The annual “AP Day at the Capitol” allows many of the stakeholders at the center of the most hotly debated state government topics to discuss very candidly where and why they stand on some issues—and do so before a large group of reporters.   The subject of uranium mining kicked off  events.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the panel included an environmentalist, a delegate who represents the proposed mining area, a uranium mining spokesman, and the National Academy of Sciences Chair.

Virginia Democrat Jim Moran is pushing a new proposal to modernize U-S elections, but the effort faces steep hurdles.   Here’s more from Matt Laslo.

When state lawmakers convene for the upcoming General Assembly session, the issue of cracking down on texting while driving will be on the table. This after the Virginia Crime Commission  recommended new language in state law that toughens the penalty for doing so.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the practical matter of how to define and classify “texting while driving” will also be deliberated.

Members of Virginia’s Unemployment Compensation Commission are weighing whether to endorse creation of a “shared work” program that could potentially benefit both businesses and employees during an economic slowdown.   As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the program would allow companies to reduce the work hours of their employees in lieu of layoffs, while allowing the affected employees to receive partial compensation for lost wages.

Federal mandates to emphasize student growth when teachers are evaluated will not be met through Virginia’s current Standards of Learning testing program.  That’s the verdict of a Salem City Schools superintendent who has implemented a new professional evaluation system known as “strategic compensation.”  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Commission on Youth found that the system’s goals are to improve both instruction and student learning.

Before this year’s presidential election, pundits knew that the political dynamic in Virginia had changed.  But it wasn’t until the recent chain of events in the gubernatorial campaign that it became evident that the statewide races in the Commonwealth could be more contentious than usual.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, they also have the potential to shake up partisan bases in the coming months.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling says his decision to step aside and allow Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to be the lone Republican officeholder running for Governor is not the decision he wanted to make—but one that was needed.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that as Bolling spoke to members of the media, he left a few unanswered questions about his political future.

In a few months, the General Assembly will once again consider the question of lifting a statewide uranium mining ban, this time with the help of a multi-agency panel which has been delving into the issues that must be addressed if mining is allowed.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the speakers at the final public meeting of the Governor’s Work Group on Uranium Mining didn’t seem to change many minds.

A state Senator’s initiative to raise more revenue for transportation has picked up support from the Mayors and Chairs of Virginia’s Urban Crescent and many other local leaders.  The bill was also prompted by proposed new highway tolls and concerns that the Commonwealth may lose its economic competiveness if transportation funding deficits are not solved.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, it’s a complex, multi-pronged approach that would raise more than 730 million dollars per year.

The buzz on Capitol Square is growing louder with discussions about whether the upcoming General Assembly session might be the one where significant new transportation funding legislation is approved.   One of the key participants in the discussion is Governor McDonnell, who has revealed that he’s working on his own transportation proposal.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, many state officials are now saying time is running out to find a solution.

The Thanksgiving tradition of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes paying tribute to Virginia’s governor is now in its 335th year.  Although it is the oldest government-to-government public ceremony in this nation’s history, some things are noticeably different, and some wonder whether or not this tradition will last for many more generations.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the State Capitol.

A legislative panel has been examining issues of concern to smaller companies in Virginia—with a goal of recommending policies that will help them expand and promote hiring.

One focus of the Small Business Commission has been on the small-, women-, and minority-owned firms that are awarded contracts to work for the state.  While the number of SWAM companies has grown, most are quite small—and the program may still need some fine-tuning.

Thanks to ambitious outreach efforts, nearly 21,000 small-, women-, and minority-owned businesses are now state-certified.  Department of Minority Business Enterprise Director Ida McPherson told the Commission that the number of companies owned by women and minorities that conduct business with the state has significantly increased.  However, companies defined as “small” businesses with up to 250 employees still win many contracts—although firms with 16 or fewer employees actually create more jobs.

“So when you’re trying to create new jobs, you’ve got to get the money where those businesses are—because if they take on a new project of a $100,000, they immediately go out and hire someone.  If you take a firm that is at 250 employees and they’re making $50 billion, if they bid on something—a $250,000 project—they don’t need to hire anybody else.  They just squeeze it within what they currently have.”

McPherson said one option may be to target more contracts toward the subset of companies with fewer employees.

-by Anne Marie Morgan

Virginia officials are proceeding with caution as they prepare to adjust the state budget for the upcoming General Assembly session.  That’s after the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates convened to discuss the condition of the Commonwealth’s economy for the near future.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the uncertainty about tax and spending issues in Washington is causing some pessimism about the state budget. 

A discussion about controlling the costs of healthcare can’t be concluded without considering the needs of the state’s prison population, especially geriatric inmates.  State lawmakers are examining how to balance those costs—because while the Department of Corrections budget has been reduced, medical costs continue to rise disproportionately.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

A new Quinnipiac University Poll provides a little more insight on how Virginians feel about the state’s political makeup and who could be running it in the near future.   As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it all hinges on what U.S. Senator Mark Warner decides to do in the coming weeks-regardless of potential opponents.

Virginia’s incentive grants to assist businesses with locating, investing, or expanding in the Commonwealth do result in greater state revenues and more job creation. That’s the conclusion of a study by the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which also found that some grant programs have a more positive impact than others.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, given the fierce competition among states to attract business, lawmakers were more interested in how to fine-tune the grants than in eliminating them.

A coalition of Virginia advocacy organizations and labor unions is calling on U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb to let the Bush-era tax cuts expire for those making more than $250,000.00.   The members sent a letter asking for action during the lame-duck session before the new Congress is sworn in and scheduled sequestration cuts take effect.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Mare Morgan reports, the group believes the tax hikes would help prevent cuts to services that include Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson, preceded the First Amendment of the Constitution.
And while the country and its leaders sometimes fight over the application of the First Amendment, Virginia leaders say they’re providing a way for citizens and noncitizens alike to embrace its true meaning—in the very spot where Jefferson’s statute passed.
Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports on the groundbreaking for the First Freedom Center in Richmond, which will be a monument to Jefferson’s work and a lot more.

Public opinion polls still show deadlocked electoral contests in most of the battleground states, and Virginia is no exception.  The polls have used different turnout assumptions, including whether Democrats and Republicans will vote in the same proportions as they did four years ago.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the trends suggest that election night could be a very long one for the candidates.

Whether it was blocked roads, heavy floods, or registrars without power, Hurricane Sandy made in-person absentee voting much more difficult—or impossible—this week.  And as concerns grow about its potential impact on close elections, state officials are intervening.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports,  localities, state agencies, and power companies are working overtime to make sure voters will be able to get to the polls when they need to.

In the latest public discussion on regulating the ownership of dangerous, exotic animals in Virginia, it seems snakes top the list of what people don’t want in their neighborhoods.  But Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports that many members of the state work group studying this measure side with the snakes, and say the Commonwealth may need less regulation and more education.

Occasionally there are reports of a food recall as a result of a salmonella, listeria, or e-coli outbreak, and the agencies and policies that regulate food in the U.S. help to contain the spread of such problems.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a growing number of rogue businesses are becoming more elusive and making it harder for regulators to do their job—and it could result in more contaminated food recalls than we’ve seen in recent years.

On November 6th, Virginia’s election ballot will feature two proposed amendments to the state Constitution.   The first ballot question involves much-debated limits on eminent domain—and  we have several reports  coming up  on that  issue in the coming days, leading up to the election.

The second ballot question is one that did not generate any controversy during the two General Assembly sessions when it was approved.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, its objective is to respect the ‘free exercise of religion’ during the lawmaking process.