Archive for 'Politics'

Bolling tackles hyper-partisanship during talk with Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

Bolling tackles hyper-partisanship during talk with Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

By Carten Cordell and Kathryn Watson │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau ALEXANDRIA—In what could either be seen as one in a series of victory laps, or curtain calls, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling touted the business successes of Gov. Bob McDonnell’sadministration [...]

Fiscal feuding over budget set-asides

Fiscal feuding over budget set-asides

By Melissa Quinn A public disagreement between city councilors over eliminating the set-aside for affordable housing has drawn headlines in recent days, but budget officials say the change does not actually cut dollars for the well-known [...]

Krupicka, Saslaw honored for focus on education

Krupicka, Saslaw honored for focus on education

The Virginia Education Association named Delegate Rob Krupicka (D-45) Rookie of the Year for his efforts to support public schools and teachers during his first General Assembly session. The former state Board of Education member and [...]

Lawmakers hope to prevent Richmond from intervening at Jefferson-Houston

Lawmakers hope to prevent Richmond from intervening at Jefferson-Houston

By Melissa Quinn Legislators rejected Gov. Bob McDonnell’s tweaks to a bill creating the Opportunity Educational Institution, which could lead to a state takeover of Jefferson-Houston, during the General Assembly’s veto session earlier this month. McDonnell’s [...]

McDonnell’s trade trip includes lunch with Steven Spielberg

McDonnell’s trade trip includes lunch with Steven Spielberg

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau Virginia taxpayers don’t know how many details Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office omitted from the public schedule of his upcoming 16-day trade trip to Asia and California. But there’s at least one [...]

Is Virginia getting serious about reforming tax breaks?

Is Virginia getting serious about reforming tax breaks?

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau ALEXANDRIA — Virginia gives tax breaks in amounts that are  just about equal to what it collects in tax revenue. In 2008, the state granted roughly $12.5 billion in [...]

Richmond poised to intervene in local schools

Richmond poised to intervene in local schools

By Melissa Quinn After weeks of anticipation — particularly in Alexandria — Gov. Bob McDonnell has amended his Opportunity Educational Institution proposal, putting the possibility of the state taking over failing schools one step closer to [...]

Lawsuits could linger despite revote on Alexandria waterfront redevelopment

Lawsuits could linger despite revote on Alexandria waterfront redevelopment

By Derrick Perkins Hoping to sidestep years of litigation, the city council overwhelmingly reapproved zoning and density changes along the Potomac shoreline Saturday, but critics say the 6-1 vote could lead to a new round of [...]

Conservatives weigh Cuccinelli’s silence on taxes

Conservatives weigh Cuccinelli’s silence on taxes

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau ALEXANDRIA—It’s time for Virginia’s attorney general-turned gubernatorial candidate to nail down his tax policy plans, a few state tea party leaders say. Hours before  Ken Cuccinelli took the coveted first-speaker slot at [...]

Where did that shortfall come from?

Where did that shortfall come from?

By Melissa Quinn While property owners still might be reeling from City Hall’s proposed 5.5-cent tax hike, officials hope the extra dollars — combined with increased fees — will cover a multimillion-dollar shortfall. Alexandria faces a [...]