Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

Born in Staunton, Virginia, August 2, 1948; educated at James Madison University (B.S.M.E.); commercial real estate; married Sharon Hanger; member: Church of the Brethren; former Commissioner of the Revenue for Augusta County. Member of House of Delegates: 1983-1992; Member of Senate: 1996-.

Contact Information:

Mailing:

P.O. Box 2
Mount Solon, VA 22843

Phone: (540) 885-6898
Fax: (540) 885-6777

E-Mail: district24@senate.virginia.gov

Website:

Visit His Website

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Area Legislators Focusing on Jobs – Staunton News Leader – Despite the need to cut billions from the state's budget, local legislators and Gov. Bob McDonnell say they are committed to investing funds to spur job creation.

• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Job Creation – Augusta Free Press – The first full week of the 2010 General Assembly here in Richmond has now concluded. The week began with the Gov. McDonnell’s first State of the Commonwealth address and the ended with committees getting fully underway in reviewing and taking action on individual legislation. In addition, because of the recent special elections of two new senators, Senate committee assignments were completed. My committee assignments have not changed, and I will continue to serve on the Courts of Justice committee, the General Laws committee, and the Rehabilitation and Social Services committees.
  • Governor Bob McDonnell unveils jobs & opportunities agenda – The Mind of Mike Blog – This is going to be a tough first year for Bob McDonnell. The budget is a complete disaster. Many hard decisions will have to be made, but it's good that jobs and economic development will be the first priority.  It is also good to see that greater emphasis will be placed on Southside Virginia economic development. Great comments by Danny Marshall and Robert Hurt starting at (18:55).

• Senator Steve Newman
  • Closing a Deadly Loophole – OneNewsNow.com – Virginia lawmakers are working on proposals to close a loophole in current law that purportedly let a mother get away with killing her newborn child.

• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Voter ID bill (Obenshain) voted down by state Senate Democrats – SWAC Girl Blog – A simple Voter Identification Bill (SB 134) proposed by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) was voted down in committee by the Democrats.
  • Proposal would privatize state liquor stores – RichmondBizSense.com – It could be last call for Virginia’s state-owned liquor stores if a bill proposed by Sen. Mark Obenshain passes.
  • New VA Gov eyes retail spirits privatization, as NC tackles ABC problems – tradenewsonline.com – New Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is backing a proposal by state Senator Mark Obenshain that would curtail the state’s retail monopoly on spirits. Under Obenshain’s plan, Virginia would auction off licenses to sell spirits to grocery stores and other independent retailers and limit the role of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department to regulation and enforcement of the beverage alcohol trade.

• Senator Fred Quayle
  • OLF Bill Tabled – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Legislation that would require the Navy to get General Assembly approval before it acquires property for a outlying landing field was grounded Tuesday by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee.

• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Power Measure Dies in Committee – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star – A Senate committee has killed Sen. Richard Stuart's bill to limit the profits power companies can make on energy conservation measures.
  • Sen. Stuart Stands Up for American Patriots – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star – Sen. Stuart stands up for American patriots.  Hurrah for state Sen. Richard Stuart ["Bill may help flag fliers," Jan. 15].  (LTE)

• Senator William Wampler
  • Wampler, Kilgore Hold Telephone Town Hall – Bristol Herald Courier – Jobs, electric rates and a $4.5 million state budget shortfall were among the issues addressed in a telephone town hall meeting held by two Southwest Virginia legislators Tuesday.
  • BVU Bills Before General Assembly – Bristol Herald Courier – Virtually identical bills designed to establish a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority are moving through the General Assembly, as a lawsuit seeks to invalidate the plan.
  • McDonnell Plans to Shift Cash to Jobs Incentives – Washington Times – Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has written some of the job-creation plans he unveiled in a speech a week ago into legislation that a Republican, a Democrat and an independent will sponsor.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Steve Martin, Fred Quayle, and Jill Vogel
  • GOP Senators Target Health Care – pharmcistselink.com - State Senate Republicans fired their first shot against a federal health care overhaul Monday, getting a key committee's support for legislation declaring that Virginia residents cannot be forced to buy health insurance.

• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Seat Belt Bills Passed by Senate – The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - The passionate advocacy of Chesapeake Republican Sen. Harry Blevins helped propel out of the Senate on Wednesday his bill to make non-use of seat belts a primary offense.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • CCCA’s future uncertain – Staunton News Leader - It's déjà vu for the scores of employees, patients and mental health advocates waiting to learn the fate of the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.

• Senator Robert Hurt
  • NAACP head to meet with officials on inmate transfer issue – Danville Register Bee - The head of the Pittsylvania County branch of the NAACP will meet with officials from the Virginia Department of Corrections in Chatham next week to discuss the transfer of 1,000 prisoners from Pennsylvania to Green Rock Correctional Center outside Chatham.

• Senator Steve Newman
  • Newman Takes New Step to Block Soering Transfer – The Lynchburg News & Advance ­- Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, is asking the General Assembly to pass a resolution opposing the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
  • Committees Certify Bedford Judge – The Lynchburg News & Advance - After some consultation with Del. Lacey Putney and Sen. Steve Newman, two General Assembly committees certified Louis Harrison on Wednesday to be judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Bedford.
  • Panel Hears Testimony on Speed Limit Bill – The Roanoke Times - One small piece of Gov. Bob McDonnell's legislative program is advancing through the General Assembly -- one that will appeal to motorists in a hurry.

• Senator Tommy Norment
  • VA Senate passes bill strengthening seat-belt law – Washington Post “Get There” Blog - The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to allow police to pull over and ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt.

• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate Committee Vote Kills Obenshain’s Voter ID Bill – whsv.com - On Wednesday, Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) questioned the partisan effort of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to act to ensure the continued integrity of the electoral process in Virginia.

• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Virginia may not want OLF, either – This Old State Blog - It's beginning to look as though legislators in the Commonwealth of Virginia may also take action to oppose the Navy's plans to put a practice jet landing field (the much-maligned Outlying Landing Field that many North Carolinians fought so hard in recent years) in the tidewater area of Virginia.
  • Va. Senate backs tougher seat belt law – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Senators also passed a key piece of legislation that could offer an alternative to localities desperate to raise additional revenues amid reduced funding from the state budget.

• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Sheriffs: Restore Cuts in Budget – The Free Lance-Star - Fewer sheriff's deputies in jails and courts, slower emergency response times, elimination of school drug programs, and limited response to traffic accidents could all be a reality under state budget cuts to law enforcement, sheriffs and police chiefs said yesterday.

• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. officials upset by report that feds will delay sale of offshore oil leases – The Virginian-Pilot - Some Virginia politicians reacted with dismay Wednesday to reports that the federal Department of the Interior plans to delay drilling off the commonwealth’s coastline for at least a year.

• Senator William Wampler
  • APCo Hit on Rates – Martinsville Bulletin - Some state legislators told the president of Appalachian Power Co. on Wednesday that if the company doesn’t voluntarily reduce the economic hardships caused by its rate increases, “we have no choice but to act,” according to Del. Ward Armstrong, the House minority leader.
  • Delegate Joe Johnson Says BVU Legislation “On Track” – Bristol Herald Courier - Legislation to create an independent Bristol Virginia Utilities authority is “on track” in the General Assembly, Delegate Joe Johnson said Wednesday.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Members
  • Students go on the “Road to Richmond” – William & Mary News - The day began in the cold, wee hours of a January morning outside the Sadler Center.
  • Chamber of Commerce members support business-friendly proposals – WHSV-TV – The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce made its presence known in Richmond Wednesday at the annual Virginia Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Day at the Capitol.”
  • Education secretary discusses charter schools, pre-k – Virginian-Pilot & Ledger-Star – Virginia's new secretary of education, Gerard Robinson, fielded questions from lawmakers Wednesday on pre-kindergarten programs, charter schools, and lengthening the school year, among other topics.
  • Lawmakers look to keep APCo rates in check – Lynchburg News & Advance - State lawmakers are looking into ways to keep Appalachian Power Co. rates in check.
  • Senate clears way for easier absentee voting – WY Daily – It would be easier to vote absentee in Virginia under a bill approved by the Senate.
• Sen. Harry Blevins
  • Seatbelt bill “clicks” with Senate – Gainesville Times – The Senate has passed a bill making failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Virginia.
• Sen. Emmett Hanger
  • Senate tax bill targets short-term rentals – Harrisonburg Daily News Record – A bill designed to allow counties to levy a transient occupancy tax on single-family homeowners who rent their homes or rooms for short periods of time passed the Senate on Thursday. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, introduced the bill, which now goes to the House of Delegates.
• Sen. Robert Hurt
  • Hurt co-sponsors legislation to prevent U.S. government from interfering in state issues – Franklin News-Post - State Sen. Robert Hurt has co-sponsored two bills in the General Assembly that incorporate Tenth Amendment issues and are supported by Tea Party activists in Virginia.
  • Senator Robert Hurt’s weekly update – Martinsville Chronicle - The first full week of the 2010 General Assembly here in Richmond has now concluded.  The week began with the Governor McDonnell’s first State of the Commonwealth address and the ended with committees getting fully underway in reviewing and taking action on individual legislation.  In addition, because of the recent special elections of two new senators, Senate committee assignments were completed. 
• Sen. Ryan McDougle
  • Buckle up for new zero tolerance, zero discretion – Newport News Daily Press – Barry Fletcher had just purchased a '93 Chevy van and was on his way to get it inspected when he hit a routine traffic stop in Saluda in Middlesex County, just up the road from the courthouse.
• Sen. Steve Newman
  • Newman’s speed limit bill again ok’d by committee – Lynchburg News & Advance - Even a second trip through a Senate committee wasn’t enough to slow down a 70 mph speed-limit bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg.
  • Measure would oppose Soering transfer to Germany – Roanoke Times – The Virginia Senate could soon join Gov. Bob McDonnell in formally opposing the transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
• Sen. Tommy Norment
  • Students try luck at lobbying – The Flat Hat – While most of the campus slumbered early Tuesday morning, a group of College of William and Mary students braved the cold and headed to Richmond to lobby Virginian politicians.
• Sen. Mark Obenshain
  • VA Conservative Caucus details agenda – Richmond Times-Dispatch – They call themselves the Virginia Conservative Caucus -- they're essentially Republicans in Republican clothing.
  • Conservative Caucus announces 2010 agenda – Rockbridge Weekly & Alleghany Journal – The Virginia Conservative Caucus, a group comprised of conservative legislators from the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, held a press conference this afternoon to announce their legislative agenda for the 2010 General Assembly session.  The Conservative Caucus, co-chaired by Delegate Ben Cline and Senator Mark Obenshain, approved an agenda Tuesday morning that outlines their position on priority legislation introduced this session.
  • Faith and Freedom: “In God We Trust” License Plates – Family Foundation Blog – Last year, pro-life Virginians won a tremendous victory when the General Assembly passed legislation creating “Choose Life” license plates. This year, there is opportunity to create  an “In God We Trust” license plate.
  • Budget rhetoric intensifies – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – On the subject of Virginia's recession-racked budget, any bipartisan pretense has officially vanished.  Sen. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania, was the latest legislator to jump into the fray Thursday with a blistering speech on the Senate floor targeting Gov. Bob McDonnell's approach to reducing state spending.
• Sen. Fred Quayle
  • Hampton Roads lawmakers oppose tolls on 2 bridge-tunnels – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Most Hampton Roads lawmakers didn't take too kindly to the proposal from a Northern Virginia colleague to put tolls on two Hampton Roads bridge-tunnels.
  • Richmond’s detour over health care – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - Congress is clearly capable of mucking up efforts to reform the country's health care system without assistance from state legislators in Virginia.
  • Put all options on the menu – Roanoke Times – Under a bill that passed the Virginia Senate this week, counties would be permitted to levy a meals tax in an amount local leaders think appropriate.
• Sen. Frank Ruff
  • Farmers ask legislators to support property rights, oppose estate tax – Mechanicsville Local – More than 100 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders asked their representatives to oppose reinstating Virginia’s estate tax, to oppose any legislation that would limit property rights and to support animal care that is science-based and allows production agriculture to remain in business.
• Sen. Ralph Smith
  • Smith calls for 72-hour budget review – Bearing Drift Blog – State Senator Ralph Smith (R-Botetourt) has introduced legislation (SB5) that would require the budget to be posted online for 72 hours before a vote could be taken.
• Sen. Jill Vogel
  • Republicans defend health care freedom bill – NBC 29 News - The state Senate could vote as early as Friday to make federally-mandated health insurance illegal. 
  • Bills on guns, seat belts, schools – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – A bill that would allow school divisions to start classes before the Labor Day holiday squeaked through a Senate committee Thursday on an 8-7 vote.
  • The Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing . . . – Loudoun Times-Mirror – OK, let’s get a couple of things straight about Frank Wolf. The GOP Congressman from the 10th Congressional District is a veritable legend. In a time where politics is viewed as a fulcrum for inaction and sclerosis - Wolf delivers, and does so with magnanimity, dignity and respect. Perhaps, the best Virginia Congressman in our lifetime.
• Sen. John Watkins
  • Report: Big job growth needed to reverse recession – Norfolk Virginian-Pilot – Virginia must add nearly 12,800 jobs per month for the next two years to return to pre-recession employment levels, a Richmond think tank projected in a report released Thursday.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.   

• Senators Tommy Norment, Jr., Mark Obenshain, and Ralph Smith
  • UPDATE:  The Sordid Tale of SB504, Courts of Justice, Ed And Health And Re-Referal – The Family Foundation Blog - Clerical error or not, Senate pro-abortion advocates had their way with SB 504, Senator Ralph Smith’s (R-22, Roanoke) coerced abortion bill in the full Senate Courts of Justice Committee committee this afternoon. Despite a valiant effort by committee member Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26, Harrisonburg) to hear the bill in the full Senate Courts committee, the ultimate result was a 9-6 vote to re-refer SB504 to Senate Education and Health and essentially assure its demise. Also noteworthy, were Senators Tommy Norment (R-3, Williamsburg) and Roscoe Reynolds (D-20, Martinsville) for their vocal support of SB 504.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Law Would Mandate Seat Belts – EmporiaNews.com - Failing to wear a seat belt would be a primary offense in Virginia under a bill being sponsored by Delegate William K. Barlow, D-Smithfield.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Land of Opportunity? – The Daily News Record - A bill by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, to make it easier to establish farm-related tourist businesses on farmland is expected to gain final Senate approval today. The amended bill would establish a task force to develop recommendations by Nov. 1 on the best way to allow these businesses to operate on property zoned for agricultural use.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Newman: Using generic drugs under Medicaid could save Va. $20 million – The News and Advance - One of the less obvious practices many state legislators employ in most years is the budget amendment, which is Virginia’s equivalent of earmarking government funds for special projects such as local museums and the like.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Obenshain Road Funding Bill Dies – wsvaonline.com - Not much has happened in the General Assembly in the past couple days, but Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain is lamenting the death of one of his bills.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Funding sought to fight online sexual predators – Gainesville Times - In 2002, 13-year-old Alicia Kozakiewicz was kidnapped by a man she met online. He locked her in a cage in his Virginia townhouse, raped and tortured her, and even webcast images of his captive before police rescued her.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • Virginia Farm Bureau leaders take ag story to legislators – Southeast Farm Press - More than 100 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders asked their representatives to oppose reinstating Virginia’s estate tax, to oppose any legislation that would limit property rights and to support animal care that is science-based and allows production agriculture to remain in business.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • No Health Coverage For Autism In Virginia – Cleveland Health Insurance - Health insurance companies in Virginia are not required by law to cover medical care for children with autism. Virginia families have fought hard for a state bill which would require the children to be covered, but recently the bill was killed in the state Senate.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Committee backs bill that would require Internet retailers to collect Va. sales tax – Richmond Times Dispatch - Legislation forcing Internet retailers — including such giants as Amazon—to collect Virginia sales taxes is headed to the state Senate.
  • Va. panel OKs bill to collect tax for online sales – Associated Press - A bill that would force online retailers to pay the same Virginia sales taxes as traditional stores advanced Wednesday from a Senate committee.
• Senator Steve Martin
  • Proposal for bipartisan redistricting panel advances – The Virginian Pilot - Bills that would establish a bipartisan commission to draw boundaries during next year's redistricting and relax the rules for military members voting by absentee ballot advanced out of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee Tuesday.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Bill would keep a physician on duty at CVTC – The News & Advance - A bill that would require a physician to be on duty at all times at Central Virginia Training Center won approval in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.  Sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, the bill meets a concern expressed by parents of residents at the training center, along with some staff members, who were worried that state spending cuts could eliminate a full-time doctor.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Look Ma, no hands – The Publishers Notebook Blog - …on the cell phone anyway, if the Virginia Senate gets its way.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Plans to sell state liquor stores pulled – Virginia Business - A bill to privatize ABC stores was dropped Tuesday by its sponor, Sen. Mark Obenshain of Harrisonburg.
  • Bill to sell ABC stores is withdrawn – fredericksburg.com - One of Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature campaign promises, the privatization of the state-owned liquor stores, appears dead for this session.  Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, was carrying a bill to privatize the ABC stores, but told the Senate Finance committee yesterday that he didn't expect them to pass it.
  • General Assembly notebook: Privatized liquor? Not this time – The Roanoke Times - Legislation that would privatize Virginia's state-run liquor stores won't pass during this General Assembly session, but the bill's sponsor and Gov. Bob McDonnell remain committed to a concept that is critical to the new governor's transportation funding strategy.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Quayle champions children’s safety – Suffolk News-Herald - With summer rapidly approaching, it comes to mind that many children once again will be spending those long, hot days with their families out on the Nansemond or the James rivers, or on any one of Suffolk’s treasured lakes.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Va. Senate favors accepting stimulus jobless funds – Richmond Times Dispatch - Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates will have a second chance to grab the $125 million in federal stimulus funds for unemployment insurance they left on the table last year.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple
  • Democrats in Va. Senate vote down two budget-related bills backed by governor – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Senate Democrats are directly challenging Gov. Bob McDonnell over the budget, denying him a bigger say in spending and rejecting as "fantasy" the prospect of reaping cash for roads from offshore drilling.
  • Va. Senate committee approves concealed-guns legislation – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's drinking establishments soon may be open for business to a new clientele -- people carrying concealed guns.
  • Lawmakers Green Light Gun Law Bills – NBC29.com - State lawmakers have given the green light for several controversial firearm measures. They are measures that were vetoed in years past. But with a new governor, there is a good chance they will become law.
  • Key Senate committee passes bills to allow concealed guns in Va. Bars – Canadian Business - Gun owners could take concealed guns into more places, including bars, and renew their permits by mail under bills that passed a key Senate committee on Wednesday.
  • State Senate defeats bills on offshore drilling, changing budget timeline – Richmond Times-Dispatch - There were two major setbacks today in the Virginia Senate for Gov. Bob McDonnell, with the Democratic majority defeating legislation endorsing offshore drilling for oil and gas and changing the budget timetable to give McDonnell a freer hand in spending.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • State senate passes bill that would require online retailers to charge 5 percent sales tax – wtkr.com - Some Virginia lawmakers want you to pay taxes when you buy online.  They say they want to level the playing field for businesses in Virginia.  With a vote of 14 to 1 the State Senate Finance Committee passed a bill that would require certain online retailers to collect the sales tax on purchases made in the commonwealth.
  • Va. Senate panel OKs move to tax online shopping – The Virginian-Pilot - A Virginia Senate panel clicked "send" on legislation that would require Internet retailers to collect sales tax on in-state transactions by affiliated online merchants.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Hurt Sponsors Jobs Bills – ResistNet.com - Vowing to work with Gov. Bob McDonnell and state legislators to promote economic development in Southside Virginia and across the state, State Sen. Robert Hurt has sponsored a major business facility job tax credit bill that is part of McDonnell's legislative package.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • Milestone for McWaters – PilotOnline.com - Freshman Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, got a small thrill and a round of applause Wednesday when he watched fellow senators pass his first bill out of the chamber.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Newman sponsors McDonnell education bills – News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell announced legislation Wednesday that would create charter schools and two other new ways to educate children, with Sen. Steve Newman sponsoring them in the Senate.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Bill banning cell phones while driving goes to Virginia House – 7Bends - Every day, you look around and see people driving vehicles while on their cell phones, not paying attention. It’s not just a few drivers here or there, but the rule rather than the exception.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Virginia looking at Obenshain’s proposal to privatize liquor stores – 7Bends - Last year, Virginia celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of its state-run liquor stores, called “ABC stores.”  This week, a bill (SB 443) introduced by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) designed to privatize Virginia’s ABC stores was passed by indefinitely by the Senate Finance Committee to provide more time to work with the Governor to refine the proposal.
  • The slow slog toward school choice – Tertium Quids - Gov. McDonnell and a host of notables gathered yesterday to introduce his package of education reforms. They center on making it somewhat easier to create charter schools in the commonwealth, a remedy for the current, counter-productive, charter law.
  • Bill to Give Voter Rolls to Comm. of Revenue Advances – wsvaonline - A bill introduced by Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain that gives commissioners of the revenue access to voter rolls for determining residency for personal property tax purposes has passed the Senate and will move on to the House of Delegates.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • From the Desk of state Sen. Frank Ruff – The News & Record - As the 2009 session began the news media reported that Chesterfield County Schools would have to layoff about 500 employees if the state didn't give them more money.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Bill to raise fees for suits advances – The Free Lance-Star - The Senate Finance Committee has approved Sen. Richard Stuart's bill to increase court fees to raise revenue for sheriff's departments and commonwealth's attorneys.
  • Wood waste bill dies in Senate – Biofuelswatch.com - On a vote of ten to four, the Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources committee of the Senate has declined the bill which was suggested for putting a cap on the total number of wood chips & similar lumber waste which power companies were allowed to burn as fuel and add towards their renewable portfolio standard.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Virginia Senate kills bill on offshore-drilling profits – The Virginian-Pilot - The Democratic majority in Virginia's Senate killed for the year legislation from Virginia Beach Republican Sen. Frank Wagner that would dedicate future offshore drilling royalties to the state general fund, a coastal energy research consortium and to localities for transportation fixes.
  • Senate Dems kill Va. gov's proposal to divert offshore drilling royalties to state services – The Washington Examiner - The Virginia Senate on Wednesday killed Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal to allocate royalties from possible offshore oil and gas drilling to pay for Virginia's government services, calling it a "fantasy."
  • Va. Senate Kills “Royalties for Roads” Legislation – Bearing Drift - Yesterday, there was a heated debate in the Virginia State Senate about legislation that would decide how the Commonwealth would spend the royalties from drilling offshore for oil. SB 601, patroned by Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), was killed by the Senate in a party line vote and was referred back to committee until next year.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Bills would ban discounts on noncovered dental work – The Virginian-Pilot - If you're at the dentist and your insurance won't cover a procedure, you might not get a discount, either.
  • Creative Budgeteer Boosts Va Spaceflight – Spaceports blog - Virginia State Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. (R-Bristol) has offered a state budget amendment to dedicate prospective sales and or corporate income tax revenues that may result from the sale of human spaceflights or commercial spaceflight training in the state to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) for operations and educational space flight simulation activities.
  • Bill advances to curb forced dental discounts – The Roanoke Times - Legislation prohibiting dental insurance companies from demanding discounts for procedures not covered by a patient's policy passed in the General Assembly on Wednesday with broad support.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Virginia moves a step closer to imposing sales taxes on online purchases – internetretailer.com - A proposal to tax sales of goods purchased from out-of-state online retailers moved a step closer to approval in Virginia this week, though prospects for passage remain uncertain.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • General Assembly Honors Radford for 100 Years of Service – The Roanoke Times - Radford University was recognized for 100 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia during consecutive “center-aisle” presentations held on the floor of the General Assembly in Richmond on Feb. 11.  The ceremonies were held in collaboration with the university’s annual “Advocacy Day” at the state capitol.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Stuart's tax-cut bill dead for now – fredericksburg.com -  A Senate committee has shot down Sen. Richard Stuart's bill that would have halved the corporate income tax for businesses locating or expanding in non-congested areas.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger, Jr., and Stephen Martin
  • Virginia Greenlights Tax Credits For Environmental Jobs – ipolitics.com - The Virginia Senate just passed Senate Bill 623, providing a $500 tax credit to businesses that create green jobs. Businesses will be eligible to claim the credit for the next 5 years for up to 350 new green jobs.
  • Virginia Senate OKs tax credit to create green jobs – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia senators unanimously approved a bill yesterday that would provide a tax credit to businesses that create green jobs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Online sales in Virginia could face sales tax – Daily Press - The state Senate Finance Committee agreed that the state should get a piece of the online shopping pie.
  • Concealed Weapons Bill Jumps Major Hurdle – WTVR.com - Gun rights advocates have long fought for the right to carry concealed weapons into bars and restaurants. Governor Kaine single-handedly stuffed the measure in the past, rejecting the bill twice.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • The states go marching in – Pesky Emotional Republican - While health reform switches to the slow track in Washington, states are moving full-steam ahead on the issue, with more than half of them seeking to pre-empt any proposed federal health reform mandates, such as requiring residents to purchase health insurance.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Legislation seeks to help students succeed – Gainesville Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia’s public school students – especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.
  • Measure opposing Soering transfer moves ahead – GoDanRiver.com - A resolution urging the federal government to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison instead of transferring him to Germany was approved by a Senate committee Friday, but only after two new items of information were disclosed.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • O! Say Can You See? – The General Assembly Grapevine - “The most transparent administration in our nation’s history” says it is about to engage in “unprecedented” televised negotiations over health care reform.  Remember how candidate Obama promised C-SPAN would be there for it all? Well, how brightly is the sun shining in Richmond on state government these days?
  • Gloucester '40' stood up for citizen's rights, honored as Daily Press Citizens of the Year – Daily Press - A constitutional right is the muscle of democracy — stronger, healthier for being exercised.
  • OUR VIEW: Cell phone ban: Now hear this – SWVAToday.com - Talk is cheap and possibly dangerous – at least so say some Virginia senators who passed a bill on Monday that would keep motorists from using their cell phones unless they had a “hands-free” device.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate panel defeats death penalty expansion – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Senate Courts of Justice Committee this morning voted down a bill that sought to expand eligibility for the death penalty.
  • Privatization in VA: Not as easy as ABC – The Business Art - As I wrote back in November at the Objective Standard’s blog (my colleague Ivan Osorio also wrote about the topic here), Virginia’s new governor Bob McDonnell showed a very promising inclination toward free markets and privatization, though his rhetoric on the subject may have left something to be desired. Specifically, he floated the idea of privatizing the 300+ state-run liquor stores in order to pay for his transportation plan.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Legislators, advocates rally for child safety online –The Commonwealth Times - Legislators and child safety advocates rallied at the Capitol Wednesday seeking funding for programs that protect children from online predators.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • Senate committee OKs recognition of tribes – fredericksburg.com - A Senate committee yesterday passed three resolutions granting state recognition to Indian tribes, despite protests from members of the Virginia Council on Indians, which said the state was undermining the very process for which it established the council.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Bill to help Roanoke Co. Police with Regional Jail killed in State Senate – WSLS - A State Senate committee killed a bill sponsored by Roanoke County State Senator Ralph Smith (R-22nd) on Friday, that would have allowed jail officers with the same training as sheriff deputies to perform some of the same legal functions.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • OBAMACARE NULLIFICATION: VIRGINIA HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT – The PPJ Gazette - The Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Wins in Both Houses. Twenty-four hundred citizen grassroots activists made their voices heard at the state capitol bell tower on January 18th and the Virginia legislature listened.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Deficit-driven budget battle continues in Richmond – Times News - Legislation that would adversely impact the coal surface mining industry will likely get stripped of any traction in the Virginia General Assembly, utilities may soon have to pay consumers back all of their interim rate increases, and the deficit-driven budget battle continues in Richmond, state Delegate Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, reported on Friday.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Bills would shift fee collection to retailers – The Free Lance-Star - If you use prepaid cell phones, you may soon see a change in the fee charged for E-911 services.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger, Jr. and Steve Martin
  • Va. Senate OKs sales tax bill for online retailers – Associated Press - A bill that would require global online shopping giants such as Amazon to start collecting and paying Virginia sales taxes won easy Senate passage Tuesday.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Senate OKs 'Amazon' Sales Tax Bill – The Associated Press - Virginia's Senate has approved a bill that would require global online shopping giants such as Amazon to start collecting state sales taxes.
  •  ‘Amazon’ sales tax collection bill clears Senate – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Legislation requiring online retailers to collect Virginia's 4.5 percent sales tax -- the so-called "Amazon Bill" -- easily cleared the Virginia Senate this morning and is headed to the House of Delegates, where opponents hope it falls prey to that chamber's hostility to taxes.
  • Virginia lawmakers aim to loosen firearm restrictions – The Washington Post - A little more than a year ago, Virginia gun owners joined millions of Americans who began stockpiling weapons for fear that Barack Obama would win the White House and push for new gun controls.
  • Save the CCCA - for the kids – Augusta Free Press - God forbid, next winter I slip on the ice, bang my head, and sustain major injury. Our rescue squad right away gets me to Stonewall Jackson Hospital which provides immediate initial care. But the damage is too great for SJH to handle.
• Senator Jeffrey McWaters
  • Bills would move military on HOV lanes – WVEC.com - State lawmakers are considering a bill to let active duty military use the HOV lanes to and from the bases, no matter how many people are in their vehicles.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Bill to prosecute mothers in infant deaths advances – The Lynchburg News & Advance - The House of Delegates gave second-reading approval Monday to a bill, sponsored by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, that would allow prosecution if someone kills an infant while its umbilical cord and placenta are still attached to the mother.
  • Talk of Charter Schools Raises Questions, Criticism – ABC 13 - Governor Bob McDonnell's proposal to bring more charter schools to Virginia is drawing criticism from area educators.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • VIRGINIA SENATE CONSIDERS “HISTORICAL RACING” BILL – Virginia Thoroughbred Blog - The Virginia Senate will consider a bill to allow historical racing, or Instant Racing as it is known at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.
  • Death penalty expansion had momentum but now lost in limbo... – The Shad Plank - For years Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was the only one standing between the General Assembly and a broader death penalty for Virginia criminals.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate panel votes against repealing ‘triggerman rule’ – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday defeated a bill it had approved in previous years that would expand eligibility for the death penalty.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Watered-down ethics bill heads to Va. House – The Washington Examiner - A significantly watered-down bill to prevent companies from filling campaign coffers while seeking major state contracts passed unanimously in Virginia's Senate on Monday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Court fee bill to help funding for sheriffs – fredericksburg.com - The Senate yesterday passed a bill that significantly raises civil court filing fees, an effort to mitigate the effect of state budget cuts on sheriff's departments.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Editorial: Time for Civil Redistricting – McLean Connection - The U.S. Census is underway, an every-10-year process that attempts to count every single person in the United States at their home address. From the results of the count come a nearly infinite number of critical decisions.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr. 
  • VA Lawmakers and Residents Speak Out Against Anti-Coal Legislation – Federation for American Coal Energy and Security - Virginia lawmakers and residents vocally opposed the so-called Stream Saver Bill (Virginia SB564) at a committee hearing in Richmond.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger, Jr. and Jill Vogel
  • Bills Pass to Ease Restrictions on Concealed Weapons – The Pocomoke Public Eye - Two bills that would allow handgun owners to lock weapons in their cars and permit those with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into restaurants were approved in Virginia's Senate on Tuesday.
• Senators Ryan McDougle and Walter Stosch
  • IT authority for governor approved – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The state Senate is falling in line behind a measure giving the governor a direct say in the state's computer bureaucracy and its stormy relationship with contractor Northrop Grumman.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • State legislation changes houses – fredericksburg.com - The legislative session marked its halfway point yesterday, with legislators holding floor sessions for hours to handle hundreds of bills before a midnight "crossover" deadline by which each house was to finish its own bills.
  • Virginia Senate approves collecting taxes on online sales – The Virginian-Pilot - A bill that would require global online shopping giants such as Amazon to start collecting and paying Virginia sales taxes won easy Senate passage Tuesday.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Legislation seeks to help students succeed – The Daily Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia's public school students -- especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Valley Legislators Applaud Rest Area's Re-Opening – WHSV.com - Dels. Matt Lohr (R-Broadway), Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), Steve Landes (R-Weyers Cave), Dickie Bell (R-Staunton), Ben Cline (R-Rockbridge) and Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) all joined in commending Gov. Bob McDonnell for keeping his promise to re-open rest areas throughout the Commonwealth.
  • High Stakes For Higher Ed – Daily News-Record - As a tuition-paying parent of a James Madison University student, state Sen. Mark Obenshain said he's worried that money raised through student fees could soon be deposited into the state's general fund.
  • Planned Parenthood license plates bill clears Va. Senate – The Washington Post - The Virginia Senate, controlled by Democrats, has passed a measure that would create a specialty state license plate with the message "Trust Women/Respect Choice."
  • Most Virginia death penalty expansion bills rejected – The Virginian-Pilot - With a governor supportive of expanding capital punishment finally in office, this was going to be the year a perennial effort to repeal the state’s so-called  triggerman  law finally found success.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Autism Bill Passes Senate – Leesburg Today - News some Loudoun families have been waiting for came today. A bill that would mandate insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder passed the Senate by a 27-13 vote. Both of Loudoun's representatives, Sen. Mark Herring (D-33) and Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27), voted in favor of the bill.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Governors to come together over wind energy – The Virginian-Pilot - Gov. Bob McDonnell and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar don't have much in common when it comes to offshore drilling, but wind energy may be another story.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • In private, Virginia governor pushes deep budget cuts – The Washington Post - Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) has privately recommended cutting $730 million from K-12 education and $300 million from health programs, as well as changing the state retirement system and requiring 10 days of furloughs for state employees, all to help offset a $2.2 billion budget shortfall over two years, according to sources familiar with the plan.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Senate votes for speed limit, handgun bills – The Virginian-Pilot - Bills that would boost speed limits on some Virginia highways, allow handgun owners to lock weapons in their cars and permit those with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into restaurants each gained approval in Virginia's Senate on Tuesday.
• Senators Ryan McDougle and Senator Stephen Martin
  • Panel delays anti-gang bill – Star-Tribune - of a bill to increase the penalty for the use of e-mail, text messages or other electronic transmissions by criminal street gangs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • More school cuts loom – NewsVirginian.com - Area schools superintendents were digesting news Wednesday of Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s proposed $731 million in additional cuts to K-12 education for the next two years, but said the news from McDonnell can’t be positive.
  • ‘Amazon’ bill headed to the House – Richmond BizSense - Amazon has a history of avoiding state sales taxes, and Virginia’s online
    sales tax bill is something they’ve seen before.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Senate OK’s bill against infanticide – Gainesville Times - In December, a Campbell County woman ended the life of her newborn baby by suffocation. Because the baby’s umbilical cord had not yet been cut or the placenta detached, the woman has not faced any criminal charges or other legal consequences.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Dealing with Guns and Drugs – Richmond.com - This year’s General Assembly session, convened on Jan. 13, is a budget year session. Meaning that, according to schedule, it will run two months. A total of 2,640 bills have been presented for consideration this year.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Lawmakers divided on furlough proposal for state workers – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Lawmakers are divided over Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal to save state jobs by forcing those who have them to take 10 days of unpaid vacation over the next two years.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Road money eyed in bill – fredericksburg.com - Faced with dwindling money for transportation, state senators again are trying a plan to boost revenues by applying an indexing formula to the per-gallon gas tax.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Senate backs bill to index Va. gas tax – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate this morning approved a bill that would index the state's per-gallon tax on gasoline with federal fuel efficiency standards. Senators voted 31-9 for Senate Bill 343. It now heads to the House of Delegates.
  • Virginia Senate weighs indexing gas tax to fuel efficiency – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell may oppose any tax increase to balance Virginia's struggling two-year budget, but the idea of implementing an adjusted increase in the gas tax to keep from losing existing transportation revenue is gaining bipartisan traction in the Virginia Senate.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Jobs bill approved by Senate – The Franklin News Post - State Sen. Robert Hurt's major business tax credit jobs bill has been incorporated into another bill and passed by the Virginia Senate by a 40-0 vote.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • 70 mph speed limit still on fast track – News & Advance - The 70 mph speed limit for selected highways cruised through another legislative committee Thursday.
  • Letters shed light on opposition to Soering transfer – News & Advance - Richard Haysom said this of the brutal 1985 slayings of his parents, Nancy and Derek Haysom: “That ignominious day was for our family, our ‘Sept. 11’ — it never goes away.”
  • Virtual School Programs get Governor’s Approval – Appomattox News - Governor Bob McDonnell met with students of the Virginia Virtual Academy Thursday afternoon at the Executive Mansion.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va Senate OKs betting on old horse races – The Associated Press - The Senate has again passed a measure to allow pari-mutuel style betting on past horse races with some of the proceeds dedicated to transportation.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Virginia seafood processors face $600 fee for annual license – The Daily Press - Attention seafood processors: If you want to stay in business, grab your checkbook.
• Senator John Watkins
  • 2 tobacco giants in Va. clash over excise tax – Richmond Times-Dispatch - It's one of the most old-fashioned taxes of all, but the question of what you measure to levy it is emerging as the latest skirmish in the never-ending battle for space on stores' tobacco shelves.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Senate backs gas-tax, gambling measures – Richmond Times-Dispatch – Two Republican measures pumping horsepower into the road-building fund are galloping out of the Virginia Senate.
  • Schools may start before Labor Day – Suffolk News-Herald - Momentum is building in the General Assembly to let school districts start classes before Labor Day.
  • Senate Democrats overcome divisions on budget, but Republicans are wary – The Washington Post - With about 48 hours to go before the House and Senate release their proposed budgets, we now hear that Senate Democrats have perhaps patched up some of their divisions.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Seat belt law not ‘clicking’ with House – Gainesville Times - A House subcommittee has killed a bill to make failing to wear a seat belt a primary offense in Virginia.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Commonwealth Center again saved from budgetary cuts – The News Virginian - Lawmakers decided Sunday to keep open Staunton’s Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.
  • Equalize Internet sales with tax – The News Leader - The time has come to level the playing field between Internet retailers and those who invest in the bricks and mortar to comprise Main Streets all across Virginia.
  • Legislators likely to restore CCCA funding – The News Leader - For the second consecutive year, it appears lawmakers will be able to restore funding to keep the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents open.
  • House, Senate easing gun control laws – The News Leader - Almost as fast as an AK-47 can spit bullets, gun bills are hurtling through the Virginia General Assembly, including one introduced by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, that will allow gun owners to bring concealed handguns into restaurants that serve alcohol.
  • Senate OKs Hanger Gas-Tax Legislation – The Daily News Record - A bill introduced by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, to peg Virginia's gas tax would rise based on increases in federal fuel efficiency standards under a bill that has passed the Senate.
  • Gas-tax indexing bill clears Virginia Senate – The Free Lance-Star - The state Senate yesterday passed a bill that would eventually raise the gas tax by indexing the tax to a federal fuel-efficiency standard.
  • General Assembly takes on gas tax, tax credits – The Roanoke Times - The House of Delegates on Friday approved a series of tax credits touted as job-creating incentives by Gov. Bob McDonnell, while the Senate passed a proposed change to the state's gas tax that the governor opposes.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va. legislators struggle on how to slash budget – The News Virginian - Virginia’s House and Senate budget-writers are laying out competing hard-times spending plans that slash health care for the poor and increase class sizes but don’t raise taxes.
  • House, Senate budget plans compete for approval – News & Advance - Virginia’s House and Senate budget-writers are laying out competing hard-times spending plans that slash health care for the poor and increase class sizes but don’t raise taxes.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Indian tribes gain favor of General Assembly – Tidewater News - The General Assembly passed legislation this week officially recognizing one Indian tribe in Virginia and advanced similar bills extending recognition to two Southampton County tribes.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Budget for schools, health would be hit by legislators, too – The Virginian Pilot - The General Assembly's budget-writing committees set the stage Sunday for battles over funding of public schools and health care safety- net programs, producing competing plans for addressing a two-year, $4.2 billion state revenue shortfall.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Jett makes case for all sheriffs – fredericksburg.com - These days, Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett is almost as likely to be roaming the halls of the General Assembly in a suit as he is to be in Stafford in his uniform.
  • Power bills killed before crossover – fredericksburg.com - Last week the General Assembly hit its midway point, a deadline called "crossover" by which most bills have to be passed or killed by the house in which they originated.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Assembly Opposes Health Insurance Mandate – The Virginia Gazette - Weighing in on the debate over federal health care reform, state lawmakers have passed legislation declaring that no one can force Virginians to buy health insurance.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Virginia Weighs Indexing Gas Tax To Fuel Efficiency – Downstream Today - Gov. Bob McDonnell may oppose any tax increase to balance Virginia's struggling two-year budget, but the idea of implementing an adjusted increase in the gas tax to keep from losing existing transportation revenue is gaining bipartisan traction in the Virginia Senate.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Virginia on Speed – NBC Washington - A measure to raise speed limits is gaining momentum
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Legislators applaud the Gloucester 40 – The Daily Press - contingent of Gloucester citizens who were among 40 people who filed petitions seeking the removal from office of four county supervisors received standing ovations Monday from the General Assembly for fighting for their First Amendment rights to petition government for a redress of grievances.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Is Va. at risk of phony jurors? Lawmaker says yes – The Virginian-Pilot - Jury tampering made for a John Grisham page-turner and a Hollywood thriller, but could it happen in real life?
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Legislators target K-12 schools in budget cuts – Collegiate Times - Virginia’s proposed budget has met resistance from supporters of K-12 education and health care as state legislators have laid out competing plans that would slash funding.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • What’s the Big Deal About Tax Conformity? – CPA Café - Virginia has employed retroactive fixed date tax conformity for many years now. While not the ideal model due to a part-time legislature that meets from January to March, it has worked out okay for the past few years at least with conformity legislation being among the first few bills to be passed and signed into law.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Budget dance begins – Apria Healthcare - The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate money committees yesterday unveiled competing budget proposals that both restore $950 million in annual car-tax payments to localities and cut Medicaid funding but differ on how much to trim from K-12 education.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. Senate OKs bill on using offshore-drilling cash for roads – Richmond Times-Dispatch - A proposal to pay for roads with cash from offshore drilling is headed to Gov. Bob McDonnell, though it may prove a financial dry hole.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Retailers want sales tax collected on Internet – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - Bricks-and-mortar retailers are stepping up their push for legislation that would force their Internet competitors to collect Virginia’s 5 percent sales tax.
  • Retailers support sales tax bill – Tidewater News - When Robert Mackan took his office supply business from Main Street to the Information Superhighway, he didn’t imagine many roadblocks.
  • Honoring The 29^th – DNRonline.com - Much as on D-Day itself, when comrades and friends during the greatest invasion known to man looked after each other on Normandy’s beaches, a resolution in the General Assembly honoring their deeds was a team effort, involving public servants up and down the Shenadoah Valley.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Compromise reached on charter schools – The Times Dispatch - The McDonnell administration and state education groups have fashioned a compromise on charter school legislation that would leave final approval with local school boards and give one of the governor’s marquee initiatives a better shot at passage.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Bill to give schools more course control advances – The Virginian-Pilot - With expected budget cuts, a bill that would delay some accreditation standards, but not graduation, is heading for approval.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Retirement funds may aid budget – fredericksburg.com - As lawmakers prepare to cut $4 billion from the next two-year budget without raising taxes, they're looking to borrow from state employees' retirement to cover part of it.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Internet sales tax bill dies in subcommittee – The News & Advance - Virginia won’t start this year to collect tax on purchases people make on the Internet, a House of Delegates subcommittee decided Wednesday.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Virginia Tax Measure for Space Not in Budget – Spaceports - Virginia state legislators are having the toughest legislative session in decades with the state budget cuts amounting to over $4-billion over the next two years and creating at atmosphere that lead to the defeat of measures in the Senate and House of budget amendments to divert sales taxes and/or state income tax earnings from human spaceflight to the operational budget of the state's commercial spaceport.
  • Budget conferees are a veteran group – Richmond Times-Dispatch - When it comes to fashioning a compromise budget with the House, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince William, is keeping his friends close and his enemies closer.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Senators
  • House, Senate approve budgets, now comes hard part – GoDanRiver.com - The House of Delegates and Virginia Senate easily approved budget bills yesterday, but the hard part, trying to reach agreement on widely different bills, lies ahead.
  • Each house passes its own budget – fredericksburg.com - The House of Delegates and Senate yesterday approved their respective budget proposals, making few changes to plans that reduce spending on education and health services to help make $4 billion in budget cuts.
  • Virginia House, Senate now must reconcile budget bills – Associated Press - The House of Delegates and Virginia Senate easily approved budget bills yesterday, but the hard part, trying to reach agreement on widely different bills, lies ahead.
  • Virginia House, Senate now must reconcile budget bills – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The House of Delegates and Virginia Senate easily approved budget bills yesterday, but the hard part, trying to reach agreement on widely different bills, lies ahead.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Va. House Panel Kills Bill Indexing Gas Tax – The Free Lance-Star - A House subcommittee has killed a bill to index the gas tax, but delegates said they believe it's a good idea and they hope for a special transportation session this year to work on it.
  • Virginia Amazon Tax Dies, Supporters Promise Another Try (Right Now, It Turns Out) – The Tax Foundation - The effort to impose an "Amazon tax" in Virginia died this week in a House of Delegates subcommittee, after SB 660 had passed the Senate earlier this month.
  • Retailers rally for online tax bill – Richmond BizSense - Packed into Senate Room 2 were brick-and-mortar retailers wearing campaign style buttons with slogans like, “Stop Internet Tax Evasion;” absent was Amazon, or any other major target of the bill, which according to Nancy Thomas, president and CEO of the Retail Merchants Association, is precisely the reason for the bill’s necessity.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Gov. signs APCo legislation – The Franklin News-Post - Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed emergency legislation that calls for Appalachian Power Co. (APCo) to suspend an interim rate increase that took effect in December.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • House, Senate pass budgets, talks heat up – The News Leader - The House and Senate on Thursday gave final approval to their own versions of an austere state budget.
  • Va. House, Senate OK competing budget plans – The Virginian-Pilot - The House and Senate approved versions of a two-year state budget Thursday that carve money out of core government services to address a $4.2 billion shortfall.
  • Panel OKs delays to accreditation rules – The Virginian-Pilot - With expected budget cuts, a bill that would delay some accreditation standards but not graduation is heading for approval.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Retiring judge might not be replaced – Suffolk News-Herald - State budget woes could leave Virginia’s Fifth Judicial Circuit a judge short later this year.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • $500,000 Grant A Boost To Growers – The Gazette-Virginian - A portion of a half million dollars in Specialty Crop Grants is headed to the Southside in an effort to keep farming profitable for local producers.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Virginia Employment Commission chief warns extended jobless benefits could end soon – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The hardship of being out of work in Virginia could get a lot worse in March if the federal government does not provide additional money to pay for an extension of unemployment benefits.
  • VEC, Watkins warn about ebbing jobless benefits – GoDanRiver.com - The hardship of being out of work in Virginia could get a lot worse in March if the federal government does not provide additional funds to pay for an extension of unemployment benefits.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Senators
  • Politics vs. principle on unemployment aid – The Virginian-Pilot - Last year, Republican lawmakers were excoriated for rejecting $125 million in federal aid for jobless workers in Virginia.
• Senator Harry Blevins
  • Motorist-safety measures falter in House panel – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Two bills aimed at improving motorist safety were run off the legislative road this week in a House of Delegates subcommittee, but two other measures seem on their way to eventual passage in the General Assembly.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • House 'Amazon bill' dies in committee – fredericksburg.com - A House subcommittee this week killed a bill to force big online retailers to collect and remit Virginia sales tax to the state.
  • Gun backers push to peel back limits – Associated Press - Gun control advocates think, if not pray, they can win by losing when the Supreme Court decides whether the constitutional right to possess guns serves as a check on state and local regulation of firearms.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Panel blocks bid to ease flooded-car restrictions – The Virginian-Pilot - Consumer advocates have succeeded, at least for this year, in derailing an attempt to raise the threshold for reporting water damage to cars from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Senator Frank Quayle
  • Legislation to block OLF is grounded – Tidewater News - Legislation that could have stopped the Navy from locating an Outlying Landing Field in Western Tidewater has been refused permission for takeoff this year. But OLF opponents aren’t giving up.
  • State officials warn of indefinite closures to shellfish harvesting – The Daily Press - Upper creek beds and other polluted waterways may be closed indefinitely to shellfish harvesting due to a proposed budget cut, a state Health Department official warned on Friday.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • The cost of filing a lawsuit in Va. could increase – wtop.com - The state of Virginia may have found a solution to close its $4 billion budget gap.
  • Bill proposes raising fees for filing lawsuits – Associated Press - Virginia lawmakers are considering imposing the highest lawsuit-filing fees in the country as one way of plugging a $4 billion state budget gap.
  •  Assembly extends menhaden limits – fredericksburg.com - Bills that keep oversight of menhaden in legislative hands are wending their way through the General Assembly process.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Senators
  • Despite Senate maneuvers, gun bills head to McDonnell – The Roanoke Times - Bills that would ease restrictions on guns in bars and in cars are headed to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell, even as a Senate subcommittee seeks to bottle up similar measures.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • House panel carries over bill to index gas tax – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The House Finance Committee voted today to carry over until next year a bill to increase the gas tax as cars become more fuel-efficient.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • McDougle rounds out GOP Senate leadership – Bearing Drift - State Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) was unanimously selected by his peers to serve as the Republican Caucus Pro Tempore today, completing the caucus’ leadership team.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Senate Democrats set up panel to quash gun bills – Richmond Times-Dispatch - A number of House of Delegates bills that would make it easier to purchase, carry and use guns have been routed to a newly created Senate subcommittee loaded with legislators opposed to expanding gun rights.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Schools, health would be hit by legislators, too – The Virginian-Pilot - The General Assembly's budget-writing committees set the stage Sunday for battles over funding of public schools and health care safety- net programs, producing competing plans for addressing a two- year, $4.2 billion state revenue shortfall.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • GOP officials push Obama for health care reset – The Roanoke Times - Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and two Republican state legislators said Monday that President Obama should go back to the drawing board in crafting a health care reform plan and include ideas advanced by GOP lawmakers.
  • Bolling, legislators urge Obama, Congress to start over on health-care reform – The Washington Post - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/03/post_615.html

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Senators
  • Va. Senate panel rejects two-tier veterans memorial – The Virginian-Pilot - In a late turn of events Wednesday, a Senate committee balked at a plan to create a two-tier system for honoring Virginia's war dead.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Concealed Carrying and Drinking- Who Will Enforce New Law? – wtvr.com - A new bill allowing concealed permit holders to carry in bars and restaurants has one big stipulation- no drinking.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • McDonnell’s reforms advance to Senate – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Lots of education-related news coming out of the state Capitol today. 
  • Va. Senate panel approves charter, lab, virtual school bills – The Virginian-Pilot - A Senate education committee gave Gov. Bob McDonnell's education reform package a major victory this morning.
  • Erik Estrada urges lawmakers to fund Internet crimes force – Lynchburg News & Advance - Erik Estrada, who used to play a cop on TV, had a Capitol press corps silent and sober Wednesday as he talked about tracking down Internet child-porn dealers with the Bedford County sheriff’s department.
  • Senate committee approves education bills – Lynchburg News & Advance - A charter-schools bill and two other education measures proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell and sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, were approved today in the Senate Education and Health Committee.
  • Judgeships aren’t funded in House budget – Lynchburg News & Advance - Vacant judgeships, including one on Lynchburg’s Circuit Court bench, could remain vacant under the budget proposed by the House of Delegates for the next two years.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Multiple Senators
  • A chili night – HamptonRoads.com - We told you last week about former Sen. Ken Stolle’s chili cookoff/lobbying opportunity for law-enforcement officials.
  • Va. House, Senate start quest to agree on budgets – News Feed Researcher - The House also lowers for local governing boards the amount of required local retirement spending. Employee Retirement: Former Gov. Kaine's introduced budget mandated that all current state employees would pay 1% of their salary in FY 2011 and 2% in FY 2012 toward their retirement. The Senate budget retained this requirement.
• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Bay states poised to take lead in bioenergy field – Chesapeake Bay Journal - The Chesapeake Bay region could lead the nation in developing a biofuels industry that will help wean Americans from dependence on foreign oil and keep farmers in business while also improving water quality.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Senate panel backs McDonnell on charter schools – GoDanRiver.com - A Senate committee this morning advanced all three of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education-reform initiatives on charter schools, virtual schools and college partnership lab schools.
  • Committee backs resolution to block Soering transfer to Germany – Lynchburg News & Advance - A General Assembly resolution that supports Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request that convicted murderer Jens Soering be kept in a Virginia prison was approved in a House of Delegates committee Thursday.
  • Newman-backed education bills approved in committee – Lynchburg News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education-reform legislation for charter schools and two other initiatives won a Senate committee’s approval Thursday after going through an extensive makeover.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Senate subcommittee votes down handgun bill – The Roanoke Times - A hastily formed Senate subcommittee voted Thursday to defeat legislation that would repeal Virginia's one-handgun-per-month law, likely killing the proposal for the year.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Redistricting reform dies a familiar death – The Virginian-Pilot - Anne Sterling of the League of Women Voters gave her usual shout-out to democracy Tuesday morning as she pleaded with state delegates to support modest reforms to the process for drawing legislative districts.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. 
  • A meritorious gas tax index to pay for roads – The News & Advance - At least one member of the General Assembly agrees that the state needs to increase its gasoline tax to keep the highway trust fund from going broke.
  • PERSPECTIVE: Restorative justice fell through the cracks – Culpeper Star-Exponent - Amid anguish over education, taxes, guns and other high-profile issues in Richmond, one topic failed to get the attention it deserved.
  • Reform option goes unnoticed – The Daily Progress - Amid anguish over education, taxes, guns and other high-profile issues in Richmond, one topic failed to get the attention it deserved.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Senate budget concerns Hurt – The Franklin News-Post - The future economic stability of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) could be jeopardized by the Senate budget proposal to take $500 million from the VRS to fund ongoing state programs for the next two years, State Sen. Robert Hurt said.
  • Local legislators uneasy about Tobacco funds – Danville News - The House of Delegates’ version of the state budget proposed using more than $100 million from the Tobacco Commission to fund road projects and higher education centers Southside — a line item that’s leaving local legislators uneasy.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Charter school bill advances in House – The Associated Press - The House of Delegates has approved legislation that would expand the state's role in the charter-school approval process, a measure backed by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Effort To Revive Va Gun Bills Fails – The Associated Press - Republicans have lost an attempt to revive pro-gun bills that failed last week in a special subcommittee set up to shoot down the proposals.
  • Republicans fail to revive pro-gun bills in Virginia committee – The Virginian-Pilot - It now seems apparent that state law will change to allow concealed handguns to be carried in bars and stored in lockboxes inside cars.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal – The Boston Globe - Here in the former capital of the Old Confederacy, where resistance to the supremacy of federal law has a long and tortuous history, a new battle is being waged over a question that could undercut a key part of President Obama’s health care proposal: whether Washington can require that most Americans have health insurance.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Salvage yards getting scrutiny – The Free Lance-Star - Over the past year, Stafford County sheriff's deputies have found 10 stolen cars at a salvage yard in the county.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Vogel’s ‘high marks’ – The Winchester Star - In assessing Gov. McDonnell’s first two months in office, a common lament has been that the state’s new Republican chief executive has not exercised visible leadership, that he has not stepped, chest out, to the front of the parade and strutted his stuff.
  • Virginia first state to challenge federal health insurance mandate – The Washington Examiner - Congress hasn’t even passed Obamacare yet, but if and when it does, Virginia’s General Assembly has already fired the first round in what could be a major legal showdown with Washington over the limits of federal power.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Gov. McDonnell expected to sign bill allowing creation of BVU authority – Bristol Herald - To the delight of supporters and dismay of opponents, Gov. Bob McDonnell is today expected to sign legislation allowing the creation of a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority.
  • IT'S HORSE-TRADING TIME – The FreeLance-Star - As the General Assembly session winds down into its last week, the dozen lawmakers charged with negotiating a budget compromise are getting to work.
  • State lawmakers approve insurance mandate for telemedicine – FierceHealthIT - The Virginia State Legislature last week unanimously approved legislation that would make the state the 12th in the nation to mandate insurance coverage for telemedicine services.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Bill takes aim at cigarette smugglers – Star-Tribune - A new law targeting cigarette smugglers has cleared both houses of the General Assembly and now goes to the governor for his signature.
  • Unemployment extension bill axed in subcommittee – The Hampton Roads Business Journal - Virginia's business lobby has prevailed again.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Politician pushes online retailers to collect taxes – The Rockbridge Report - Many people don’t want to see a tax increase, especially these days. Most Republicans in Virginia understand that, and are promising not to raise taxes.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Va. House OKs resolution opposing Soering – The Roanoke Times - The House of Delegates on Tuesday passed a resolution supporting Gov. Bob McDonnell's efforts to block the transfer of convicted double-murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
  • Putney speaks up as House OKs Soering resolution – The Associated Press - Del. Lacey Putney delivered a floor speech Tuesday urging the House of Delegates to adopt a resolution opposing the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to his native Germany.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Va. Senator seeks revival of job protection for gays – The Virginian-Pilot – State Sen. Tommy Norment breathed new life today into the debate over protecting gay and lesbian workers from employment discrimination in Virginia.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • “Chips"™ Star Helps Fight Child Pornography – The Gainesville Times - Actor Erik Estrada visited Capital Square last week to voice his support for Virginia’s fight against child pornography.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Jett urging House to back police funds – The Free Lance-Star - Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett yesterday led sheriffs from around the state in lobbying House members to accept increased funding for sheriffs contained in the Senate's version of the budget.  

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Report: CCCA Findings Suppressed – WHSV.com - According to an article in the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" Thursday, former Gov. Tim Kaine's office "was involved in discussions that led to the suppression of findings" related to a team's report on the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Legislators unsure about close of session – Danville News - With the end of the 2010 General Assembly session, or “sine die,” tomorrow, local legislators are unsure if they will reach a budget agreement by the deadline — or whether they will go into overtime.
  • General Assembly honors Lacy – Danville News - The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate agreed on resolutions Wednesday to celebrate the life of former Danville City Manager Lyle Lacy.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Senate strips anti-bias language from bill – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate this morning yanked anti-bias protections for gay workers from a deal-sweetening bill aimed at luring to Virginia a defense-and-systems giant with gay-friendly employment policies.
  • BRIEF: Senate OKs economic incentives to lure businesses – The Virginian-Pilot - After striking language that would have placed protections for gay and lesbian workers into law, Virginia's Senate today unanimously approved an economic incentive bill requested by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • Amended life jacket bill goes to House – SmithMountainLake.com - A bill that would require children to wear life preservers is on the House floor. SB93 passed the full Senate Jan. 21 with a 30-10 vote and moved to the House.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Pregnancy Resource Centers: A Winning Reversal Of Fortune At The General Assembly – The Family Foundation - At the beginning of this year’s General Assembly session, pregnancy resource centers were in the crosshairs of the abortion industry.
  • Senate approves controversial gun bills – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Virginia Senate today approved two controversial House of Delegates gun bills that will allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns into bars and non-permit holders to conceal their firearms in cars.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. gov McDonnell signs offshore energy bills – World News - Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law Wednesday offshore drilling legislation intended to realize his goal of making Virginia the East Coast's energy superpower.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr. 
  • McDonnell visits legislators on their turf, encourages budget deal – The Washington Post - As negotations over Virginia's budget proceed, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) made an unannounced appearance in the General Assembly Building to encourage the House and Senate to come to terms.
  • State budget deadline nears – The Free Lance-Star - Budget negotiators worked late into last night, trying to resolve differences by today to adjourn the legislature on time tomorrow.
    
    

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Multiple Senators
  • Lt. Gov. Bolling: Anti-gun bill panel creation broke Senate rules – The Washington Post - Yes, Democratic leaders in Virginia's Senate broke the rules when they killed a bunch of gun rights bills in a specially formed subcommittee. And, no, there's not a thing anybody can do about it.
  • Lawmakers reach agreement on infant-life bill – Lynchburg News & Advance - A mother who kills her newborn baby while it is still attached to her by the umbilical cord can be charged with murder under legislation the General Assembly approved Saturday after much thought.
  • Schools, health care, public safety lose millions in Va. Budget – The Washington Post - The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its annual legislative session Sunday evening after adopting a two-year, $82 billion budget that cuts millions from education, health care and public safety -- curtailing state spending more aggressively than any in generations while fulfilling the new Republican governor's promise not to raise taxes.
  • State will dip into pension fund, repay with 7.5% interest – Lynchburg News & Advance - Virginia is taking away more than $620 million that would have been paid toward state employee and teacher pensions, but the state is leaving an IOU.
  • Virginia Stands Up for the Constitution, Media Cries Racism – Tertium Quids - In the 2010 session, four separate bills rejecting proposed federal health insurance individual mandates passed both houses of Virginia’s legislature.
  • Lawmakers approve two-year, $70 billion budget – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - The 2010 General Assembly adjourned yesterday, one day later than scheduled, after speedy approval by weary lawmakers of a $70 billion-plus budget-balancing plan.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Officials leery of hopeful state budget projections – NewsVirginian.com - Area legislators say the state budget for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 agreed on Sunday offers less pain for public education and public safety than earlier anticipated, but still worries the lawmakers because of the revenue forecast.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • Lawmakers unlikely to write pay cut into state budget – The Roanoke Times - The governor and his senior staff took a pay cut. State employees are facing layoffs and furloughs. But there's one group of people in Richmond whose salaries don't appear to be in danger: state legislators.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Lawmakers Fight to Close the Umbilical Cord Loophole – WSET.com - A bill has made its way to Governor Bob McDonnell's desk for signature that would make it a punishable offense to take the life of a newborn baby if the baby is still attached to the mother by an umbilical cord.
  • Lawmakers close loophole to protect newborn children – WDBJ7.com - Lawmakers Saturday approved legislation they say will close a loophole in state law and protect newborn children in Virginia.
  • Assembly OKs tweak to Amherst County School Board salaries – Lynchburg News & Advance - Amherst County’s school board salaries were officially lowered to $2,200 per year by the General Assembly on Saturday.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • State budget talks hit snag; final vote today in doubt – The Associated Press - Despite substantial agreement on major issues, legislative negotiations toward a new bare-bones state budget hit a snag late Saturday over a variety of lesser issues.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • ABC stores hard sell for McDonnell – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Nine days off-message is enough to drive a governor to drink.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Governor McDonnell Signs Bill Restructuring and Increasing Accountability at VITA – Governor McDonnell Press Release - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed legislation into law that restructures the agency's organization and creates a direct reporting structure between the Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and the Secretary of Technology, Jim Duffey. 
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • BUDGET DEAL REACHED – The Free Lance-Star - State lawmakers passed a two-year, $70 billion budget yesterday that mitigates cuts to education and law enforcement, making up a $4 billion revenue shortfall by raising fees but without general tax increases.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • McDonnell shows some successes in first legislative sessions – The Washington Post - Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell finished his first legislative session with modest victories in economic development and education -- limited goals set as the state continues to face a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Lawmakers likely heading for overtime – Culpeper Star-Exponent- The General Assembly appears headed for overtime tomorrow because of the inability of the House of Delegates and Senate to agree on a budget.
  • General Assembly update: Gov. McDonnell meets with budget negotiators – The Roanoke Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell met privately with General Assembly budget negotiators this morning in an effort to push lawmakers toward an agreement in time for Saturday’s scheduled adjournment of the legislative session.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Localities dodge worst of budget cuts – The News Leader - Although the final state budget figures impacting localities are not as bad as many feared, area officials say it is not the silver bullet that will solve their problems.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Sparring continues over Va. air quality control bills – The Virginian-Pilot - Environmentalists have described it as "the Virginia dirty air bill" - a measure that would limit the authority of the State Air Pollution Board and could increase smog problems in Hampton Roads, Richmond and other regions.
  • McDonnell signs emergency legislation overhauling VITA – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell now is directly responsible for fixing a problem he inherited: Virginia's troubled information-technology bureaucracy and its fractious dealings with contractor Northrop Grumman.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • McDonnell to Sign Legislation at UVa – Newsplex.com - Gov. Bob McDonnell will sign two bills into law at the University of Virginia on Wednesday that establish college partnership laboratory schools.
• Senator Frank Ruff, Jr.
  • $82 billion state budget passes – South Hill Enterprise - After much deliberation, the General Assembly has passed a two-year $82 billion budget that cuts spending on education, health care and public safety to bridge a $4 billion shortfall.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Area legislators had ups, downs – The Free Lance-Star - The just-ended 2010 legislative session saw lawmakers deal with nearly 3,000 bills and resolutions, of which about 1,600 passed and more than 1,000 failed.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Va. expands booze business in budget­­ – The Washington Examiner - Virginia is slated to open 20 new state-run liquor stores and mark up spirit prices by 2 percent under the state's new budget, signaling lawmakers' increased reliance on alcohol revenues and a potentially deeper resistance to Gov. Bob McDonnell's privatization plan.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Revenue projections worry lawmakers – The News Leader - Area legislators say the state could be forced to make additional cuts if it does not meet what they call "optimistic" revenue forecasts.
  • Cleaning up Bay, farms is good biz – Waynesboro News Virginian - A new economic study says farm conservation practices used to clean up Virginia rivers and help restore the Chesapeake Bay generate more economic activity than public cost and offer jobs that last up to a year.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Baby death loophole legislation on governor’s desk – WSLS.com - In 107 days, Virginia law will no longer allow a mother to get away with murdering her newborn baby.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Senator: Lawmakers do ‘pretty decent job’ on budget – Tidewater News - After much deliberation, the General Assembly over the weekend passed a two-year $82 billion budget that cuts spending on education, health care and public safety to bridge a $4 billion shortfall.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • STATE BUDGET: Schools Wait For Numbers  -- The Gazette-Virginian - School officials are eagerly awaiting the final figures on state funding for the Halifax County School System, according to Bill Covington, Halifax County Public Schools chief financial officer.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• ·         Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Study: Farm Clean Water Practices Create Jobs, Boost Economy – Chesapeake Bay Foundation - A new economic study of the farm conservation practices considered critical for cleaning up Virginia rivers and restoring the Chesapeake Bay found that every public dollar spent on implementing the practices will produce $1.56 in new economic activity.
  • VA Senate passes bill to loosen gun laws – Critograph - The Virginia Senate recently approved a bill allowing patrons to carry concealed weapons in bars and restaurants as long as they do not consume any alcohol.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • General Assembly passes law protecting newborns – Altavista Journal - New legislation passed by the General Assembly will make it possible for the state to prosecute a mother who takes the life of her newborn child, according to a March 13 news release from Del. Kathy Byron.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Regional Jail Funding Falls Short In Final Hours Of General Assembly – Page News & Courier - Although a budget amendment pushed through the Senate by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-26th District) would have guaranteed 50 percent funding from the state for a regional jail for Warren, Shenandoah and Rappahannock counties, the amendment was taken out in the waning minutes of the 2010 General Assembly session late Friday night.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Local Legislators Reflect on General Assembly – TV3Winchester.com - It proved to be another tough session for legislators in Richmond who had to make unprecedented cuts to state services and programs. On Sunday the regular session adjourned.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Hoover named Fireman of the year 2010 for SVFD – Greene County Record - Stanardsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Hoover of was named Fireman of the Year 2010 at SVFD’s annual award banquet Saturday night.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • PHHS still producing lifelong learners – The Mechanicsville Local - Patrick Henry alumni, faculty and students gathered at the west Hanover campus last weekend to play an official game of Remember When.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Capital Trailhead Dedication Today at Jamestown – The Williamsburg Yorktown Daily - Virginia’s First Lady Maureen McDonnell will be in James City County this morning to dedicate the eastern trailhead of the Virginia Capital Trails.
  • Capital Trail moving ahead – Richmond BizSense - The Jamestown Trailhead, the eastern section of the Virginia Capital Trail, was dedicated on Friday. Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell was there along with State Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr. (center) and Paul D. Koonce, Chief Executive Officer, Dominion Virginia Power.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Home-schooler meets with leaders as part of civics class – The Botetourt View - In an age when people too often ignore the happenings in Richmond, one local youngster and his family decided to go see the legislators from his district. Bach Pearl reported the fruits of his visit!
• Senator William Wampler, Jr.
  • Region’s education system in crisis – Bristol Herald - For all of their geographic commonality, the city of Bristol, Va., and Washington County face drastically different challenges in addressing reductions in state education funding.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  •  Va. "Confederate History Month" Draws Criticism – The Washington Post - Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, reviving a controversy that had been dormant for eight years, has declared that April will be Confederate History Month in Virginia, a move that angered civil rights leaders Tuesday but that political observers said would strengthen his position with his conservative base.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Va. governor signs bill mandating coverage for telemedicine services – Insurance & Financial Advisor - Health insurers, health care subscription plans and health maintenance organizations operating in Virginia will be required to cover the cost of telemedicine services starting next year under a new mandate signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
  • Virginia Gov. Signs Bill Requiring Insurers To Cover Telemedicine – iHealthbeat - On Monday, Virginia became the 12th state to require health insurers to cover telemedicine services the same way they cover face-to-face consultations, the Bristol Herald Courier reports. 
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • The approaching silver tsunami - headed ashore – The Loudoun Times - One of the unfortunate paradigms of policy making in 2010 is the fact that lawmakers often spend an inordinate amount of time fixing the errant ways of last year’s legislative faux pas. Little time is left to devote to adequately preparing for the here and now, let alone the future.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Gun Groups Took Wrong Side on Fee – Lynchburg News & Advance - A pro-gun group, which goes by the name of Virginia Citizens Defense League, can take a share of the blame for delays in background checks required for firearms purchases. But don’t hold your breath waiting for them to do so.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.  

• Senator Emmett Hanger
• Elected officials weigh in on mental health issue – The Greene County Record - In previous articles on mental health care in Virginia, the Greene County Record traced the evolution of the state’s mental health system since 2002, when focus was shifted from institutional placements to community-based services.
  • Senator Walter Stosch
  • States Skip Pension Payments, Delay Day of Reckoning  – The Wall Street Journal - State governments from New Jersey to California that are struggling to close budget deficits are skipping or deferring payments to already underfunded public-employee pension plans.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Museum Displays Frontier Spirit Despite Cuts – WHSV.com - They have had their budget slashed like many other museums, but Executive Director of the Frontier Culture Museum John Avoli is handling the budget cuts with the same frontier spirit his museum represents.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Lynchburg lawmakers post strong showing in Assembly – The News & Advance - If getting bills passed is a reasonable way to measure a legislator's success, the five delegates and one senator who represent the Lynchburg region in the General Assembly had a good year in Richmond.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • How long will York's Circuit Court seat go unfilled? – The Daily Press - A key York County and Poquoson judgeship that has gone unfilled since the sudden death of a sitting judge in 2008 could stay vacant a lot longer.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Local Legislators Talk State Budget Cuts – WHSV.com - State budget cuts may mean harsh consequences for valley businesses.  Local legislators gathered in Harrisonburg to explain exactly how these cuts could affect the community. Specifically, they say it's simply a trickle down effect for business owners.
  • Funding situation focus of meeting – Waynesboro News - Augusta County Supervisor Nancy Sorrells thinks of new road projects differently than most people and that makes VDOT’s shrinking revenue stream for new roads a problem.
  • Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry into Law! – National Rifle Association - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed into law a NRA-backed measure allowing right-to-carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in restaurants, providing they do not consume alcohol.  State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24) and Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) were the principal sponsors of Senate Bill 334/House Bill 505.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Session’s impact on businesses addressed – The Mechanicsville Local - Hanover County’s legislative delegation told members of the business community how recent legislation could affect their operations in the county.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • State to end free online tax-filing service – GoDanRiver.com - For the past 10 years, Virginia has offered an online service that allows nearly every taxpayer in the commonwealth to file their state income-tax return for free.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Governor’s office on brewery case – The Virginia Gazette - A representative of Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday that his office is well aware of the importance of the Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery locally and statewide.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger and Mark Obenshain
  • Local Legislators Talk State Budget Cuts – WHSV.com - State budget cuts may mean harsh consequences for Valley businesses.
• Senator John Watkins
  • UPDATE: Supervisors adopt balanced budget; point to grim future – Powhatan Today - The Powhatan Board of Supervisors on Monday adopted a balanced county budget for next fiscal year and set the real estate tax rate at 77 cents, 3 cents below the revenue neutral level; but leaders warned that harder times likely lie ahead. 

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Harry Blevins
  • McDonnell Signs Bills to Save Taxpayer Money – WHSV.com - On tax day, Gov. Bob McDonnell signed four bills centered on instituting government reform in Virginia and saving taxpayer dollars.
  • Governor signs audit bill – InsideNova.com - Gov. Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell on Thursday signed into law a bill requiring audits of several state agencies.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Mental health evaluation needs better definitions – Greene County Record - We have found that as hospital beds were closed, community services boards were not adequately funded.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Action on 460? – Suffolk News-Herald - With word circulating that Gov. Bob McDonnell plans to kick start the Route 460 project after years of it being nearly stalled, Suffolk’s General Assembly representatives are surprised but pleased.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Process begins for socioeconomic study of uranium mining – GoDanRiver.com - The process has begun for the second part of a study focusing on the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling in Virginia.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Free insurance costs a ton – The Virginian-Pilot - If a tiny reptile with a cute accent advertised car insurance with no premiums until customers have an accident, there's a good chance that the bill would also be hand-delivered to the crash scene by a fire-breathing dragon.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Fly fishing festival features proposal – The News Virginian - An event growing in attendance over the past decade, the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival in Waynesboro this weekend will feature the unveiling of an innovative economic development plan to state officials.
  • Center of promise – Waynesboro News - State and local government officials and site developers gathered Saturday in a former Waynesboro industrial plant to discuss how the property might be turned into an economic driver.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • York-Poquoson court officials bracing for funding-related strains – The Daily Press - Come July, there may be no more pay for substitute judges in 19 Virginia courts with vacancies on the bench. That could potentially create a caseload logjam in the already-stressed York-Poquoson Circuit Court system.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Officials react to proposed jail funds – Northern Virginia Daily - Reaction among regional jail proponents to Gov. Bob McDonnell's apparent last-minute save of the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail has been cautiously optimistic.
  • Hundreds Gather for Tea Party – Harrisonburg Times – On Tax Day, Thursday April 15th, hundreds of citizens congregated on the lawn at Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg.
  • Scenes from The Tea Party – The Virginia Conservative - I’m pleased to announce that the Tea Party gathering in downtown Harrisonburg on Tax Day went quite well.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Leaf Committee recommends local funding – South Hill Enterprise - The Virginia Tobacco Commission (VTC) Southside Economic Development Committee decided Thursday to recommend a $1,250,000 grant to the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority to be used to purchase and refurbish the Harden Manufacturing Facility at the Airport Industrial Complex in La Crosse.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Center of promise – The News Virginian - State and local government officials and site developers gathered Saturday in a former Waynesboro industrial plant to discuss how the property might be turned into an economic driver.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Sen. McDougle & Del. Hugo Host Press Conference on Faulty EPA Stormwater Claims – RyanMcDougle.com - Two veteran members of the Virginia General Assembly and co-chairs of the Joint Republican Business Caucus, Delegate Tim Hugo of Clifton, Virginia and Senator Ryan McDougle of Mechanicsville, Virginia announced the release of a letter today to Governor Bob McDonnell, which noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Chesapeake Bay Program has been using faulty data in their efforts to encourage the six (6) Bay states and the District of Columbia to strengthen their stormwater management regulations. 
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • VDOT studies highway speed limit increases – The Northern Virginia Daily - Studies are underway to determine what sections of Virginia's highways could have an increased speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph beginning this summer.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Virginia governor praises Norfolk District's exceptional environmental stewardship – www.army.mil - Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell recently awarded the 2010 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, for demonstrated commitment to land stewardship in Virginia through the protection of Crow's Nest peninsula.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • McDonnell names 64 to jobs-creation commission – Richmond Times Dispatch – Gov. Bob McDonnell pulled from a cross-section of prominent state business leaders and legislators to fill the job-creation commission he established with his first executive order.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Cash-strapped states go online, hoping to tax sales – The Washington Post - For years, consumers have counted a legal quirk that allows many Internet retailers to forgo charging sales tax as one of the perks of shopping online.
  • Riverstone Funding Approved – The Gazette-Virginian - The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission has approved $471,000 for a power upgrade project at Riverstone Technology Park.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Leaf Comm. funding okayed – South Hill Enterprise - The full Virginia Tobacco Commission (VTC) met Thursday to approve a variety of grants for the Southside Virginia region including a $1,250,000 grant to the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority to be used to purchase and refurbish the Harden Manufacturing Facility at the Airport Industrial Complex in La Crosse.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Va. coast wind farm wouldn't harm Navy operations – Winston-Salem Journal - A new report says a wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach wouldn't affect Navy or NASA operations in the area.
  • Offshore wind could supply 10% of Virginia's power demands – The Daily Press - An offshore wind farm could provide 10 percent of Virginia's electricity demands without interfering with Defense Department operations, a new report states.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • A new take on tourism – Waynesboro News - Outside the Rockfish Gap Tourist Information Center set on a broken-down parking lot atop Afton Mountain, portable toilets stand watch.
• Senator John Watkins
  • States Continue to Grapple With Immigration – National Conference of State Legislatures - As the national debate intensifies around Arizona’s new immigration law, every state in session has been addressing immigrant issues in their legislatures, according to a new report from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. 

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Celebrating Virginians’ Sacrifices – The Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's General Assembly has earned the gratitude of all citizens for acting in its most recent session to preserve the vanishing memories of a unique and glorious piece of the state's history.
  • Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Breaks Ground on New Facility – WHSV.com - The Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind cut the ribbon on a newly renovated building and broke ground on another facility Wednesday.
  • Progress marked for VSDB-Staunton – Waynesboro News Virginian - For years, the Staunton community feared the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind would be consolidated elsewhere in the state, ending a tradition of service that started in the 1830s and includes a period when the Staunton campus housed wounded Civil War soldiers.
  • Landes: Health reform has many hidden costs – Charlottesville Daily Progress - Federal health care could cost Virginia $1.5 billion over the next year or so, a local delegate said Wednesday.
  • Legislators review GA session, upcoming challenges – The News Leader - Two months after signing off on a state budget that resulted in cutting $4 billion for the biennium, area legislators offered mixed outlooks on the financial future for Virginia.
  • Legislators Speak to Community Members About 2010 General Assembly – WHSV.com - Sen. Emmett Hanger and several other local legislators were in Augusta County Wednesday to talk to community members about the impact of this year's General Assembly.
  • Local Legislators Appointed to Commission for Wilson's Centennial – WHSV.com - Dels. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell (R-Staunton) and R. Steven Landes (R-Weyers Cave) and Sen. Emmett Hanger, Jr. (R- Augusta County) announced Tuesday they have been appointed to the Virginia Commission on the Centennial of the Woodrow Wilson Presidency.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Governor signs McDougle’s public safety legislation – The Mechanicsville Local - Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, joined Gov. McDonnell and members of the law enforcement community for the unveiling of the Governor’s Executive Order No. 11 highlighting his prisoner re-entry initiative and for the bill signing of the senator’s Senate Bill 670 from this year’s General Assembly session.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Rep. Bob Goodlatte questions Attorney General on Soering transfer – Lynchburg News & Advance - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder cast some doubt Thursday on the possibility that convicted murderer Jens Soering might be transferred to a prison in his native Germany, where he could be paroled in two years.
  • Mr. Holder’s Inexplicable Behavior – Lynchburg News & Advance - No doubt, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is a smart man: a former federal judge, U.S. attorney, Columbia University graduate, the first black American to serve as attorney general.
  • Virginia Passes Higher Speed Limit Despite Safety Risk – 24-7pressrelease.com - In February, the Virginia General Assembly voted to increase the speed limit on some of the state's rural highways from 65 to 70 miles per hour. The measure was proposed by Republican Gov. Bill McDonnell and sponsored by two Republican state representatives, Del. Bill Carrico (R-Galax) and Sen. Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg).
  • The U.S. 29 Speedbump That Is Charlottesville – The News & Advance - For more than two decades, Charlottesville and Albemarle County have been a thorn in the side of communities up and down the U.S. 29 corridor.
  • McDonnell reinforces state’s stance on Soering transfer – The News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell reminded the U.S. attorney general Monday that Virginia opposes a proposed transfer of convicted Bedford County murderer Jens Soering to a prison in his native Germany.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Four targets of Gloucester supervisors' subpoenas fight back – The Daily Press - Four members of the "Gloucester 40" who were targets of subpoenas by three county supervisors and an ex-supervisors have hired Sen. Tommy Norment to quash them.
  • Shipyard exec gives tips to TNCC graduates – The Daily Press - Thomasina Wright once sat in the seats at her own graduation from Thomas Nelson Community College, so she explained that she had a unique perspective on giving a commencement address for the college.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • BOYD: Set Virginia booze free – The Washington Times - Being honored as the country's No. 1 business state should make all Virginians proud. To continue in that role, however, Virginia must set a national example, applying innovative, pro-business policies that, in return, generate revenues to the Commonwealth.
•  Senator Frank Ruff
  • Rural leaders meet to map out future regional policies – The News & Record - Confronted by continuing economic challenges exasperated by the current economy and continuing changing industrial and agriculture markets, rural leaders from the Southern United States came together to plan for the regions future.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • LifeCare unveils ‘awareness’ ambulance – Stafford County Sun - LifeCare Medical Transports unveiled a unique, new ambulance at a breast-cancer awareness event held May 12 at its Fredericksburg building.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • On second thought ... Poll shows support for oil drilling way down – Inside Business - PUBLIC SUPPORT for offshore drilling in Virginia has dropped significantly in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill disaster, an Inside Business poll has found
  • Uranium Mining Subcommittee to meet in Chatham June 22 – Star-Tribune - The Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy's Uranium Mining Subcommittee will meet in Chatham Tuesday, June 22.
  • Oil off our coast not money in the bank – istockanalyst - While planning his run for governor, Bob McDonnell faced a conundrum: Virginians want better roads, but they don't want to pay for them.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Long-distance health care now covered by insurance – Virginia Lawyers Weekly - Legislation to mandate insurance coverage for telemedicine services in Virginia won unanimous approval in the 2010 General Assembly.
  • Alpha Natural Resources breaks ground on new headquarters in Bristol – Blue Ridge Business Journal - Alpha Natural Resources broke ground last week on a new headquarters in Bristol. The company will seek LEED certification on the building.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Plans Finalized for Rappahannock Nutrient Cooperative Business Advisory Council Kickoff June 10 – Conserv - Today, Conserv, working with the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, sent out Invitations to attend the Kickoff of the Rappahannock Nutrient Cooperative Business Advisory Council at the University of Mary Washington Jebson Business Center on Thursday, June 10 from  10-1 p.m. The invitation from Virginia State Senator Emmett Hanger is below.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Healthy debate for breakfast – Tidewater News - State elected officials met with local leaders and citizens to discuss legislative matters over eggs and bacon during the Eggs & Issues breakfast at Franklin Baptist Church on Tuesday.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Metro columnist Dan Casey: Tax raises for college 'users' should apply to gas – The Roanoke Times - Unless you're a state university student or the parent of one, you may not have noticed a tax increase that will soon go into effect across Virginia, the land of no state tax increases.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Westmoreland supervisors have special meeting – Fredericksburg.com - Needs for more highway funding and more court space are topics of a special meeting of the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the A.T. Johnson Alumni Museum Auditorium in Montross.
• Senator William Wampler
  • City leaders approve loan for school office building – TriCities.com - City leaders Tuesday unanimously agreed to seek a $3 million interest-free loan to pay for a school administration building.
• Senator John Watkins
  • New law hampers ‘undergrounding’ of power lines – Loudoun Times - Beginning July 1, localities in Virginia will have a tougher time negotiating with power companies to put proposed electrical lines underground due to a recent bill that passed the General Assembly this session.
  • Powhatan says 2008 e-mail on shooting range insufficient – Richmond Times-Dispatch - An e-mail from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shows that Powhatan County officials were informed in early 2008 that a law-enforcement training facility and firing range was being planned.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr.
  • Teaching in the trenches – The News Virginian - As 21st Century foot traffic descended into the scuffed and rugged tunnel, Don Wilson boomed his voice over infantry calls and gunfire.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • The Complex is open – VaNcNews.com - Five years ago a group of forward thinking Clarksville residents dared to dream of the future.
  • ‘Those who gave all’ honored – VaNcNews.com - The men and women who have given their lives defending America were honored throughout the county this weekend with services in South Hill, Chase City and Clarksville.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Help for Autistic Students – Henrico Citizen - A new regional collaboration, spearheaded by the public school systems of Henrico and Hanover counties, began – officially – last month with little fanfare.
  • Goochland honors its veterans – The Goochland Gazette - State Senator Walter Stosch, above right, gestures toward the marker that was the theme of the Memorial Day Ceremony - “All gave some, some gave all.”
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Battle Lines Drawn ... – The Daily News Record - Virginia has drawn a legislative line with the General Assembly’s passage of the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act last session, which says the federal government cannot compel Virginians to buy health insurance, as dictated by ObamaCare.
  • Legislatures in Florida and Virginia Move to Protect Foundations from Overreaching Influence from Pressure Groups and Government – PhilanthropyRoundtable.org - On Thursday, May 27, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed into law legislation that will protect the freedom and independence of foundations to carry out their charitable goals and missions.
  • State Senator Vogel Visits Sherando – TV3Winchester.com - A high school in our area is opening its doors to a local law maker.
  • Senator's visit highlights evolving FFA – Northern Virginia Daily - Agriculture goes beyond sowing seeds and milking cows, according to education officials and students in the curriculum.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Officials exploring changes in protective orders – Richmond Times Dispatch - In the wake of the death of University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love, there's a move under way in Virginia to expand the issuance of "family-abuse" protective orders to include dating couples who do not live together or have a child.
  • Graves increase at state’s military cemeteries, not funding – Richmond Times Dispatch - For many, Memorial Day brings to mind images of the rows of pristine, white headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Virginia Guard commemorates 66th anniversary of D-Day this weekend – National Guard - The Virginia National Guard will participate in two events June 5 and 6 to recognize Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division and the 116th Infantry Regiment for their role in the D-Day landings at Normandy during World War II.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • Feds reject HOV privileges for active-duty military – The Virginian-Pilot - Federal transportation officials have rejected Virginia's request that uniformed active-duty military members be allowed to travel in HOV lanes in Hampton Roads even if they're driving alone.
  • McWaters supports drilling delay – The Virginian-Pilot - In the wake of a White House decision to postpone offshore drilling along Virginia's coast as a response to the damaged oil well still spewing crude into the Gulf of Mexico, one GOP state legislator from Virginia Beach has offered public comments seemingly supportive of that stance.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • VA State Police "Line of Duty Act" provides better benefits – SWAC Girl - Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) has signed legislation extending short-term disability benefits for Virginia's State Troopers who are injured in the line of duty.
  • 'Line of Duty Act' provides better benefits for Va. State Police – The Washington Examiner - Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) has signed legislation extending short-term disability benefits for Virginia's State Troopers who are injured in the line of duty.
  • McDonnell signs bill benefitting injured troopers – The Virginia Pilot - Virginia State Police troopers seriously injured in the line of duty will have up to a year to recover and return to their duties as a result of a new law sponsored by a state Sen. Fred Quayle, R-Suffolk.
  • Governor McDonnell Signs Legislation Extending Disability Benefits for State Police Officers – On the Right - Governor Bob McDonnell today signed legislation which will extend short term disability benefits for Virginia State Police officers injured in the line of duty. SB95, sponsored by Senator Fred Quayle (R-Suffolk), extends the length of time that a state police officer subject to a work-related injury in the line of duty will receive supplemental short-term disability coverage equal to 100% of their compensation.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • From dream to reality – The News Record - In just minutes, 200 guests filed from the sunlight-drenched, glass-enclosed lobby of The Clarksville Enrichment Complex into the even brighter afternoon sun, witnessed a ribbon cutting precision-organized by Joe Davidson of the Mecklenburg County Community Services Corporation and Linda Williams of the Chamber of Commerce, and returned inside to cool off and celebrate.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • ProJet Aviation Celebrates Leesburg Airport Opening – Leesburg Today - ProJet Aviation was welcomed into the county with open arms Wednesday night, as local elected officials and dignitaries celebrated its arrival at Leesburg Executive Airport.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Virginia offshore drilling faces obstacles, but still offers economic promise – Virginia Energy Independence Alliance - Just one month ago, Virginia was poised to become the first Atlantic state to be cleared to develop its offshore oil and natural gas reserves.  
• Senator William Wampler
  • Economic officials tour Southwest Virginia – Kingsport Times News - A two-day tour of Southwest Virginia for cabinet-level state economic development officials includes a sightseeing tour of a region in transition as portrayed by regional and local representatives.
  • Cabinet members visit UVa-Wise as part of Southwest Virginia tour – The University of Virginia Wise - Two members of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s cabinet visited The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Wednesday as part of a two-day tour of Southwest Virginia.
• Senator John Watkins
  • UDC Chesterfield Chapter honors Confederate soldiers buried at Chesterfield church – The Progress-Index - Members of the Chesterfield Chapter No. 851 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), with the SCV General Robert E. Lee Camp No. 1589 Honor Guard, and the SCV Chester Station Camp No. 1503 Color Guard, Pastor and Mrs. Larry Davis, congregation members and distinguished guests gathered at the Skinquarter Baptist Church, located in the Moseley area, May 1, at 10 a.m., to honor the 12 Confederate soldiers buried in the church's cemetery with an official grave marking ceremony.
  • Key officials won’t tour France’s uranium site – Danville News - Key legislative officials on the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission, including the heads of the commission and its Uranium Mining Subcommittee, have said they will not travel to France to visit a reclaimed uranium mine and mill site.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Loss of Jimmy Dean could revive interest in Virginia state song – Washington Post - Virginians looking to honor country music singer, television actor and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean, who died Sunday at 81, could renew a push to adopt a Dean-penned song as Virginia's official state anthem.
  • Opinion divided on speed limit increases – Waynesboro News Virginian - Opinion is divided on the benefits and safety of increasing the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph on hundreds of miles of Virginia interstate roads, a change that could take effect on portions of some roads by July 1.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Strawberry Faire crowds beat the heat – The Herald Progress - The 29th Annual Ashland Strawberry Faire took place Saturday with an estimated 20,000 people, including a few local politicians braving the 95 degree heat. 
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Students host first political conference – Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal - Gloucester High School Junior State of America members hosted their first mini-conference at GHS on Saturday to address issues of "political reality."
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • CBIC Award Honorees announced at 12th Annual Gala – Charlottesville Business Innovation Council - The Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) announced seven new CBIC Award honorees to a banquet audience of more than 200 at the 12th Annual CBIC Awards Gala, June 2 at Farmington Country Club.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Extremist libertarianism – Tidewater News - I get the libertarian philosophy. I appreciate its core principle. The less that government interferes in the lives of people, the fewer the obstacles to the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Our Health celebrates building's reopening – The Northern Virginia Daily - The city's neediest people once stood in line waiting for food stamps and other help at the Winchester Department of Social Services.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Officials mark South Holston Lake fishing agreement – TriCities.com - Stubborn rain failed to dampen the atmosphere Thursday as officials celebrated a new license giving Virginia and Tennessee residents equal access to fishing all of South Holston Lake.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Frank Wagner and John Watkins
  • Coal and energy commission members to visit reclaimed uranium mine in France – Star-Tribune - Three members of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy are scheduled to visit a reclaimed uranium mine and mill in Bessines, France, later this week.
• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Tax and spend: Streamlining effort could raise revenues, but at the cost of jobs – Augusta Free Press - The state of Virginia is losing as much as $400 million a year to uncollected taxes from Internet retailers.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • State resists dipping into tobacco fund  -- Old Dominion Watchdog - Safe from Virginia’s budget woes and relatively sheltered from the recession, a cushy tobacco fund in southern Virginia is fueling diverse projects like cordless electric cars and broadband expansion.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Our Health celebrates building's reopening – Northern Virginia Daily - The city's neediest people once stood in line waiting for food stamps and other help at the Winchester Department of Social Services.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Alpha Breaks Ground in Bristol – The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia - Goodbye, Abingdon. No thanks, Maryland. Too bad, Tennessee. The bidding to host the new corporate headquarters of Alpha Natural Resources ended with the company moving just a few miles from its current Abingdon location to Bristol, Virginia.

Article Content

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • 81: Wait and see – August Free Press - You might remember all the hubbub over what they were planning to do with Interstate 81.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Dozens speak out on uranium mining – Danville News - The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission’s Uranium Mining Subcommittee met at Chatham High School on Tuesday night, where residents filled the auditorium, and about 70 people spoke out on the scope of a proposed study to examine the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling.
• Senator Steve Newman
  • Governor signs Newman’s charter school bill – Lynchburg News Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation Tuesday intended to increase the number of charter schools in Virginia.
  • Ceremonial Signing of Bill to Facilitate Expansion of Charter School – Synavista News - Nine days before Virginia’s new laws take effect, Governor Bob McDonnell today ceremonially signed legislation that will facilitate the expansion of high-quality charter schools in the Commonwealth.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • ESSAY: Beware a hotel bailout – The Virginia Gazette - During this age of corporate welfare and federal bailouts, it is refreshing when businesses engage in self-help.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Rescue child life preserver law – HamptonRoads.com Blog - I AM THE riverkeeper for the Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program in Virginia. This past year, I tried to get a child PFD (personal flotation device, or life preserver) law passed for Virginia's inland waters with the help of Sen. Fred Quayle.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • State Employees Could Receive “Bonus” – Virginia Statehouse News - Virginia state employees are inching closer to getting a one-time bonus check before the end of the year.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • BOS, state lawmakers tackle transportation – The Journal - The Westmoreland Supervisors met last week with Virginia Senator Richard Stuart and Delegate Albert Pollard for the purpose of soliciting creation of a revenue stream dedicated to road im-provement needs.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Corrections to explore uses for Powhatan-Goochland land, facilities – GoDanRiver.com - The Virginia Department of Corrections is exploring major changes for the 4,051 pastoral acres it owns on both sides of the James River in Goochland and Powhatan counties and the facilities it operates there.

                On July 1, 2010, nearly 900 new laws passed during this year’s General Assembly session will take effect.  Among that legislation are dozens of bills sponsored by members of the Senate Republican Caucus.

                 “While the focus of this year’s session was rightfully on the budget, the General Assembly managed to pass many positive bills focused on an array of policy areas,” commented Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (James City).  “Members of the Senate Republican Caucus carried bills this session focused on job creation, economic development, education, transportation, public safety, and many other policy areas.  In fact, the legislation that is the basis for Virginia’s lawsuit against the federal healthcare bill was first passed as a policy proposed by Senate Republicans.”

                 Below are some highlights of key bills patroned by each member of the Senate Republican Caucus that will take effect on Thursday.

• Senator Harry Blevins (Chesapeake)
  • SB 8 – Sets up certification program for pyrotechnicians and firework operators and requires a certified person be present when fireworks displays are conducted.
  • SB 201 – Requires the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct an operational and performance audit of Virginia’s transportation programs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger (Augusta)
  • SB 334 – Allows persons with concealed handgun permits to carry concealed weapons into restaurants or bars so long as they do not consume alcohol.
  • SB 623 – Allows tax credits for the creation of “green” jobs.
• Senator Robert Hurt (Pittsylvania)
  • SB 455 – Exempts veterans from the handling fee charged by the Department of Business Assistance when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program. 
  • SB 486 – Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs. 
• Senator Steve Martin (Chesterfield)
  • SB 55 – Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to voce in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.
  • SB 311 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Ryan McDougle (Hanover)
  • SB 128 – Allows for trading of NOx and SO2 credits and prohibits the Air Pollution Control Board from preventing businesses in certain regions of the state from purchasing such credits from other facilities.
  • SB 670 – Requires prisoners who owe fines, court costs, and other penalties to contribute part of their pay from work programs to relieving this obligation.
• Senator Jeff McWaters (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 696 – Allows active-duty military personnel in uniform to use HOV lanes in Hampton Roads regardless of the number of passengers.
• Senator Steve Newman (Lynchburg)
  • SB 537 – Allows for increases in the speed limit to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits. 
  • SB 602 – The fact that an umbilical cord has not been cut or that the placenta remains attached should not be considered when determining if an infant has achieved an independent and separate existence
  • SB 736 – Allows for the establishment of college partnership laboratory schools by any public college that operates a teacher education program.  Schools will be public schools established by contract between the college’s board and the Board of Education.  Teachers shall be employees of the college and licensed by the Board of Education. 
  • SB 737 – Requires charter school applicant to submit charter application to state Board of Education for review based on Board’s criteria before being submitted to local school board.  If application is denied, the applicant may seek technical assistance from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and petition for reconsideration of the decision. 
  • SB  738 – Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and the Board of Education to approve criteria for approving multi-division providers of online courses and virtual school programs.  Allows local school boards to enter into contracts with approved private or non-profit organizations to provide such courses and programs. 
• Senator Tommy Norment (James City)
  • SB 512 – Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.
  • SB 520 – Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • SB 352 – Allows for delayed implementation of statutes and regulations for school accreditation that were not already in effect as of June 30, 2008.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • SB 283 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • SB 656 – Adds personal property and real property improvements used primarily to manufacture a product from renewable energy as a separate classification of property for local property tax purposes.
• Senator Ralph Smith (Botetourt)
  • SB 506 – Prohibits the Governor, his PAC, or any pertinent Secretaries from knowingly soliciting or accepting contributions, gifts, or other items worth more than $50 from any bidders or offerors, their controlling persons, or persons acting on their behalf, who have submitted bids or proposals for public contracts worth $5 million.
• Senator Walter Stosch (Henrico)
  • SB 739 – Expands the use of grants from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund to allow such grants to be used for the construction or build-out of privately owned buildings to allow Virginia to more aggressively pursue companies looking to construct headquarters and operations centers in Virginia.  
• Senator Richard Stuart (Westmoreland)
  • SB 151 – Prevents home owners’ associations from prohibiting the display of American flags on private property.
• Senator Jill Vogel (Fauquier)
  • SB 408 – Allows persons who may lawfully own a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle if it is locked in a container or compartment.
  • SB 417 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 394 – Sets the Commonwealth’s policy to support exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas resources 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.
• Senator William Wampler (Bristol)  
  • SB 613 – Allows members of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue their health care coverage, at the member’s expense.
  • SB 622 – Prohibits dental insurance plans from establishing a rate that a dentist or oral surgeon is required to accept for services unless the services are covered under the dental plan.
• Senator John Watkins (Powhatan)
  • SB 243 – Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license.
  • SB 472 – Reduces the number of full-time jobs needed to qualify for the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit from 100 to 50, or from 50 to 25 in enterprise zones. 
  • SB 475 – Provides that grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities. 

To learn about more of the laws taking effect on July 1, you may read the Session Highlights publication prepared by the Division of Legislative Services or visit the Legislative Information System website.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Senate Finance Subcommittee visits CHKD – Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters - The Virginia Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources held a meeting at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters on Monday, June 21.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Hurt criticizes Perriello, Congress on budget – GoDanRiver.com - GOP 5th District candidate Robert Hurt criticized Democrat incumbent Tom Perriello and his fellow congressional Democrats on Wednesday after news the House won’t pass a budget for the 2011 fiscal year, given the national deficit.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Our Health celebrates building's reopening – Northern Virginia Daily - The city’s neediest people once stood in line waiting for food stamps and other help at the Winchester Department of Social Services.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Gohl says Southwest Virginia ‘incredibly beautiful’ – TriCities.com - On a three-day tour of Southwest Virginia, the recently appointed co-director of the Appalachian Regional Commission said he has a good first impression of the region – and of a project being billed as a focal point of a new creative economy.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Corrections department to explore new use for Powhatan-Goochland land, facilities – The Goochland Gazette - The Virginia Department of Corrections is exploring major changes for the 4,051 pastoral acres it owns on both sides of the James River in Goochland and Powhatan counties and the facilities it operates there. 

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senators Emmett Hanger and Ralph Smith
  • Pro-Gun Bills go into Effect in Virginia Today! – NRA-ILA - After another successful legislative session in Richmond, law-abiding Virginian’s will see many important advances in their Second Amendment rights. 
• Senators Tommy Norment and John Watkins
  • Sexually Violent Predator program needs more funds – Sex Offender Research - As to those released in Virginia they talk about recidivism and trip wires, but there is no mention of the therapy programs which are obviously failing if recidivism exists.
• Multiple Senators
  • Highlighting More New Measures in Virginia – WHSV.com - Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell highlighted Wednesday several pieces of Health and Human Resources and Technology legislation that will take effect July 1.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Law Could Bring More Guns into Virginia Restaurants – WHSV.com - Among almost 900 new laws going into effect Thursday in Virginia is one that will allow people to carry concealed weapons into restaurants.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • Quayle rated highest when it comes to supporting businesses – Tidewater News - Out of four lawmakers representing Western Tidewater, Sen. Fred Quayle was the highest-rated. . .
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Metro columnist Dan Casey: Star City shined in tollbooth project – The Roanoke Times - Can a public-private partnership ever succeed?  The answer is, yes, at least for tightly focused projects, when a handful of people commit themselves to the project's success.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • State worker retirement system changes cause concern – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's retirement system for state and local government employees has become a train on two tracks, with everyone hoping the engine has enough fuel for the long ride.
• Senator John Watkins
  • New Virginia Law Effective July 1 Highlights Importance of Trailer Safety – The Auto Channel - Summer begins this week, and many families are towing their boats and campers to their favorite lake or campsite. Unfortunately, this fun, carefree scenario can become dangerous when folks are not aware of the basics of trailer safety.
  • Memorial to Green dedicated – Powhatan Today - Youth league ball fields aren’t usually the kind of place you’d expect to be pin-drop quiet, particularly on a beautiful Friday afternoon in June.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Stones' 'Sweet Virginia' would be a sweet state song – Roanoke Times - It's time to put an end to one of this commonwealth's glaring lapses, one that has existed for more than a decade, and one that's been debated back and forth without effective resolution.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney Summarizes New Laws – Hanover County News Flash - Most likely, due to budget constraints, the General Assembly passed limited legislation affecting criminal law or criminal procedure in the Commonwealth. 
• Senator Steven Newman
  • McDonnell administration to convene meeting to break U.S. 29 impasse – Charlottesville Tomorrow - Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has directed Lynchburg and Charlottesville officials to meet in early August to hammer out disagreements over the future of U.S. 29 through Albemarle County.
  • Lead investigator reacts to Jens Soering decision – WDBJ7.com - We're hearing reaction to the U.S. Attorney General's decision to keep a convicted murderer in Virginia.
  • Haysom relatives on Soering decision: 'It's about time' – The Lynchburg News & Advance - The U.S. Department of Justice decision this week, after six months of thinking it over, to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison came as a relief to the family of his victims.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Competition, recession have hurt Va. horse-racing industry – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Virginia's legacy of horse racing is in jeopardy.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Is the stimulus stimulating things in Hampton Roads? – The Virginian-Pilot - The antiquated repair shop where mechanics once worked on Norfolk's street cars is gone.

The following are articles from newspapers, blogs, and other news sources throughout the Commonwealth and the country featuring members of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

• Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Bill takes aim at uncollected Internet sales tax – Fredericksburg.com - There is an estimated $23 billion in uncollected state sales taxes out there, lost to online purchases from retailers who don't collect it and buyers who don't voluntarily pay it to the state.
  • Praising Commission on Centennial of Wilson Presidency – WHSV.com - On Thursday, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum praised the Virginia General Assembly for establishing the Virginia Commission on the Centennial of the Woodrow Wilson Presidency.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • SCC approves 5.6% APCo rate increase – The Franklin News-Post - The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a 5.6-percent rate increase for Appalachian Power Co. (APCo) that will take effect Aug. 1.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Virginians voice concerns to state reform commission – TriCities.com - A three-dollar timer from Walmart and a plethora of suggestions for government reform, such as opposing the recent plans for elk restoration in Southwest Virginia, were offered during Wednesday’s town hall meeting, held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
• Senator Thomas Norment
  • Electric utility commission to hold public meeting – WPCVA.com - The Commission on Electric Utility Regulation will meet on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Roanoke Higher Education Center at 108 N. Jefferson Street, Rm 212, Roanoke.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Governor's Commission Stops In Valley – NBC29.com - The Governor's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring brought its statewide road tour to the Shenandoah Valley Wednesday.
  • Dozens offer ways to better manage government – The News Leader - Scores of ideas to create a better state government — from amending liquor laws to protecting localities from budget cuts — were suggested during a town hall meeting in Verona on Wednesday.
  • Area officials decry state disconnect – Waynesboro News-Virginian - Gov. Bob McDonnell's government reform commission rolled into town Wednesday night seeking public input and getting an earful.
  • Valley Residents Voice Ideas to Governor's Commission – WHSV.com - Budget cuts and economic struggles are nothing new to the Commonwealth.
  • Gilbert worked to change law – Northern Virginia Daily - The multi-jurisdictional gang grand jury used to bring indictments last week against five men accused of raping two Central High School students was the brainchild of a former Shenandoah County prosecutor.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • R/gitex USA takes over Brodnax Mills – South Hill Enterprise - A subsidiary of a Canadian based textile company R/gitex Inc. will be taking over and upgrading the Brodnax Mills facility in Brodnax saving 45 local jobs and opening the door to the creation of up to 15 new jobs.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • State agencies work toward wind farms – WAVY.com - Twenty years down the road when wind farms are operating in the Mid-Atlantic, they could bring an estimated $80 billion to Virginia, and more than 5,000 long-term jobs.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Arizona's immigration law isn't the only one – The Los Angeles Times - Many states have their own regulations governing illegal immigrants. And five states have introduced bills similar to Arizona's SB 1070, which is the target of a federal lawsuit.
  • Watkins On Surplus- "It's Not Extra Money Left Over" – WTVR.com - Many Virginians who have lost state jobs in recent months might have had a hard time watching Governor Bob McDonnell discuss a 2010 surplus.
  • What Will Medicaid Expansion Cost You? – WTVR.com - In 2014, up to 425- thousand Virginians could gain health insurance under the federal expansion of Medicaid. According to a recent study by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, that's good news for a state where it's currently difficult to qualify for Medicaid.