Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

Born in Bedford County, Virginia, September 22, 1949; educated at University of Richmond; business owner; member: Clarksville Presbyterian Church; Member of House of Delegates: 1994-2000.Member of Senate: 2000-.

Contact Information:

Mailing:
P.O. Box 332
Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone: (434) 374-5129
Fax: (434) 955-2224

Email:
district15@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. 

• 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.

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.  Similar news stories were reported from school districts throughout Virginia.  Then the Federal Stimulus package was reported and school systems across the state dropped their plans to cut their budgets.

Regrettably, employees in the private sector were not so lucky. Factories cut shifts, stores cut employees, businesses closed; thousands of private and small business employees were left jobless.

Now roll forward to 2010. According to Chesterfield County Schools, this year they may have to layoff 500 employees. There are also reports that state wide school systems might have to lay off up to 10,000 employees. And still there are thousands upon thousands left jobless in the private sector. In 2007 Virginia’s unemployment rate was 3 percent, or roughly 123,000 people.  As of December 2009, the latest data we have, the unemployment rate across the state is 6.7 percent. Over 150,000 have lost their jobs or businesses.

I write this after a senator spoke on the floor last week implying that if we do not raise taxes then we have no compassion.  He is wrong. I believe all legislators have compassion for our citizens and sympathy for those that face losing their jobs, whether they work in the schools or in the private sector.

Likewise we also have sympathy for the thousands of employees of private businesses who have lost their jobs in the last year and a half.  We have sympathy for businesses that operated on little or no income for the last year. We also have sympathy for those businesses that have had to close their doors after years of operation.

The question is not how much or little compassion and sympathy we as legislators have, nor is the question how much compassion we have for teachers.

In my opinion government decisions should be made based on what is best, not for the individual but rather what is best for society.

Currently we are in a recession.  We must respect those that create jobs and pay the taxes necessary to provide the services that are needed to care for those who cannot care for themselves; the same taxes that protect our loved ones and teach our young people. To show less compassion for those who pay the bills is simply wrong. I believe that to raise taxes during a recession does not show compassion, but rather shows favoritism of some at the expense of others.

As always I want to hear from you.  You can call me at 804-698-7515.  You can go to my website www.frankmruff.com. You can email me at district15@sov.state.va.us.  You can mail letters or notes to P.O. Box 396, Richmond, VA  23218.  You can also fax me at 804-698-7651.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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
  • Va. General Assembly approves bill allowing handguns in bars – The Washington Post - Gun-rights supporters had reason to cheer Tuesday after the Virginia General Assembly gave final approval to a bill allowing concealed weapons permit holders to enter restaurants that serve alcohol. Two other bills friendly to gun owners also won final approval.
• Senator Frederick Quayle
  • House, Senate begin negotiations – Suffolk News-Herald - The Virginia General Assembly begins working out the kinks in the state budget this week.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Red Oak lumber company receives 3 grants for expansion – The Union Star - Charlotte County will gain an extra 25 jobs with a new $4.2 million dry kiln technological advancement at Morgan's Lumber Company in Red Oak. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.
• Senator William Wampler
  • McDonnell lists his House and Senate budget concerns – The Virginian-Pilot - Among the “issues” Gov. Bob McDonnell has with the House and Senate budget bills are the differing approaches on economic development.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Localities fight state over communications funds – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Four years ago, local governments agreed reluctantly to give up their power to impose taxes on telephone services in exchange for guaranteed revenue from a new tax on all communication services.
  • Riding Program Honored by General Assembly – Powhatan Today – Powhatan resident Clint Arrington likes to build things—and he’s good at it.

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.

• Multiple Senators
  • Gov. Bob McDonnell signs Virginia Health Care Freedom Act – WSLS.com - Governor Bob McDonnell (R) signed Virginia’s opposition to the Democratically led federal health care reform bill Wednesday afternoon.
  • Governor McDonnell Signs Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Legislation – Twin County News - McDonnell: "There are fiscally responsible ways by which we can reform healthcare and expand quality coverage that do not involve the forcing of unfunded and unprecedented mandates onto individuals and states, and the unsustainable growing of our national debt."
  • McDonnell signs Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act – Bearing Drift - Gov. Bob McDonnell reminded everyone today who enacts law in the Commonwealth of Virginia when he ceremonially signed Virginia’s Health Care Freedom Act, setting up a challenge between the commonwealth and the Federal government.
  • McDonnell Signs Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Legislation – Appomattox News - Governor Bob McDonnell signed the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act in a mid-afternoon ceremony today in Richmond.
  • Gov. signs law blocking health bill – WAVY.com - Calling the national healthcare bill a historic, unfunded mandate that could add $1 billion to Virginia's budget by 2022, Governor Bob McDonnell signed the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act Wednesday, a measure to block the national bill.
  • Va. Democrats demand info on health care challenge – The Virginian-Pilot - Virginia Democrats want to know how much time, money and other resources Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is spending on a lawsuit that seeks to block implementation of a federal health care reform law.
• Senator Frank Ruff and Senator Steve Newman
  • Lawmakers brief Chamber members on year to date – The News & Advance - Businessmen and women applauded just one part of Lynchburg-area legislators’ report Wednesday on this year’s General Assembly session.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Funding for SRI to Be Delayed – WHSV.com - SRI International is expected to be a major driver of economic development in the Valley, but the non-profit research firm's development could be slowed due to Virginia's budget woes.
  • Comer Selected To Lead Page GOP – Page News and Courier - Inside the Circuit Courtroom at the Page County Courthouse, members of the Page County Republican Party gathered last week to select its new leadership.
• Senator Ralph Smith
  • Metro columnist Dan Casey: Repair efforts 'starting to roll' at historic tollgate – The Roanoke Times - Will the damaged historic tollgate along the "old road" up Mill Mountain be repaired in time for the Blue Ridge Marathon?

First let me start this newsletter by saying Happy Easter.  I hope that you are honoring our Savior with family and friends.
   Again, thank you for taking the time to read this weekly newsletter.   I enjoy the response that many give.
    If you enjoy what I have to say and feel that your friends would too, please don't hesitate to forward this email. 

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 Steve Newman
  • Governor signs online learning bill at Brookville – Lynchburg News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell visited Brookville High School on Wednesday to sign legislation that makes online learning at home easier for students who don’t attend schools.
  • Cuccinelli Keeps Promise to Challenge “Overreaching” Government – The Roanoke Star-Sentinel - Virginia’s Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli preferred to sit rather then stand at an 8 a.m. coffee with members of the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce this past Tuesday.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Tobacco cash eyed for uranium study – The News & Record - Kilgore asks Tobacco Commission to fund study on socio-economic impact of Coles Hill mine

We are just two weeks away from the Governor's Veto session (April 21st).  It is in this session that any changes that the Governor proposes to veto or make changes to bills including the budget are presented to the General Assembly.   We will vote to either accept or reject those amendments or vetoes. A veto can be overridden only with a super majority.  The Governor's amendments to legislation are agreed to by a simple majority.

More Legislation and how it affects you

Many proposals that lack merit are killed by the committees in the respective bodies.  Others that may have some merit are successful in either the House or the Senate before folks start to realize that they may have undesired side effects such as having a cost when the state cannot afford more expense. Others get caught up in the politics between the affluent parts of the state and the less affluent parts, between the rural parts and the urban parts, between the political parties, or between personalities.

A proposal to sell off the state's alcohol sales at ABC stores went nowhere this year. This has been discussed for years without a real plan of how to do it successfully. Possibly next year there will be a plan that will work.

 Another proposal that has been heard before would allow the death penalty for those who direct murder not just the individual who pulls the trigger in such situations. Often, with gangs, the job of committing the actual murder is passed down to a newer member as a rite of passage into the gang. Why should the one who orders the murder get a lesser sentence? I voted for this bill last year when it passed both bodies but was vetoed by Governor Kaine. This year it never made it out of the Senate Courts committee. 

Tele Town Hall

On Wednesday night I hosted my very first Tele-Town Hall Meeting. This was a chance for me speak directly with folks over the telephone.   As with anything new, there were lessons learned. However most believed it worked reasonably well.  It gave me greater respect for those radio shows that receive call-ins.  When folks had a question, they went into a line to ask in order as received. Everyone got to hear the conversation.  During the conference I was able to speak to over 2,500 people. I gave three poll questions during the session.

66% of those polled consider jobs and the economy the most important issue that is before us in Richmond.  13% said healthcare was most important and  22% felt education was the most important.

 97% of those polled felt like the tele-townhall is a good way to talk about the issues.

Finally 91% of those polled felt that the recently passed federal healthcare legislation will make healthcare less available and/or more expensive to far more than it will help.

Overall I was encouraged by the response from the Tele-town Hall.  If you have concerns that you would like to share with me, please do not hesitate to email me or call my office.
 sen.ruff@verizon.net or 434-374-5129.

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 pace in Richmond during session is hectic, however at least the committee meetings are closer together there.   Meetings within the district after session are just as challenging because the 15th Senate district is the largest in the state (four times the size of the state of Rhode Island).  By the end of this month, I will have spoken to groups from most of the counties and if you would like me to speak to your group or organization please contact us at 434 374 5129 or sen.ruff@verizon.net

 Veto Session

The Reconvened Session, often called Veto Session, was this past Wednesday.  This was the first year in at least 25 years that the Governor did not veto a single bill. The Governor did, however, offer amendments to 122 of the bills that were sent to him. Most of these amendments were minor changes that did not affect the intent of the bill.  I would credit Governor McDonnell's experience and willingness to work with the General Assembly for the lack of vetoes. 

 Scams to the Right of Us – Scams to the Left of Us

While Washington is trying to pass legislation to go after some in the financial market that are more interested in their profit than your financial security, they are ignoring risks that you face.  Clearly Goldman Sachs and others need to be reigned in, but while they are proposing that, they are looking the other way when many others are scamming good folks.  Those scams can be in the form of offering you credit you will never be able to pay back to offering you free 30 day offers for products in which you have little need. 

Be on guard against companies that call you up offering to give you a service free for a month and then they will simply charge your credit account or draft your checking account.  They know that everyone likes to get something for free and that you will probably forget about your "agreement" before they start adding it to your account.  I encourage you to check every charge that is added to your charge card and look at every debit from your checking account each and every month.  Lastly I would remind you that no matter what laws are passed in Richmond, or Washington, to protect you, the one most interested in protecting you and your assets - is you.

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 Stephen Newman
  • Virginia Infanticide Amendment Becomes Law – Associated Content - An amendment that was created to correct a troubling loophole in Virginia state law that did not criminalize mothers who killed their newborn babies, has been passed by both houses of legislature and deemed immediately effective.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Groups To Honor Beloved Forester Alex Williamson – The Gazette-Virginian - Halifax County Supervisors along with members of the Halifax and South Boston Town Councils are expected to approve and present a resolution tonight honoring well-known forester William Alexander “Alex” Williamson of Alton.

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 Frank Ruff
  • Lawmaker: Spending more for uranium socioeconomic study ‘not wise’ – Danville News - If a Virginia Beach study finds uranium mining and milling detrimental to Lake Gaston, then a socioeconomic study of the industry would be pointless, said a member of the Virginia Tobacco Commission’s executive committee.
  • Reseeding Virginia’s tobacco region – Virginia Business - When Paul Farrar walked into a hotel banquet room in Martinsville a few years ago for the 10-year reunion of his high school class, he did what anyone would do.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • General Assembly adopts gun-safety program for children – Loudoun Times – A new law recently adopted by the General Assembly will require the state’s education department to draft a gun-safety program for elementary school children.

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 Robert Hurt
  • Bolling holds roundtable broadband discussion in Danville – GoDanRiver.com - Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling joined local government and business leaders Wednesday in Danville for a roundtable discussion about what works and what doesn’t with Virginia’s broadband coverage.
• Senator Stephen Martin
  • Pew Applauds Virginia for Leading Military and Overseas Voting Improvements – The Pew Center on the States - Answering a call first issued by President Harry Truman nearly 60 years ago, Virginia today took a significant step forward in addressing the disenfranchisement of military and overseas voters.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Veto session a mixed bag – Roanoke Times - Gov. Bob McDonnell won legislative approval Wednesday for a proposal designed to clarify restrictions on funding for abortions, but lawmakers defeated budget amendments that would affect community-based mental health services and phase out state funding for public broadcasting.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Bolling: Grants will help rural Virginia attract jobs – The News & Advance - Virginia’s rural areas are getting lots of economic-development help from the state, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling told a meeting of rural leaders in Lynchburg on Wednesday.
  • BIT gets 18.9 M grant – South Hill Enterprise - Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative (BIT) General Manager Mickey Sims has been waiting for months on a decision on the application for an $18.9 million grant to help BIT to build, operate and maintain a wireless rural broadband and voice network across Southside 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 Robert Hurt
  • Highlights From Today’s Virginia Forum on Job Creation – Broadband for America - Today, Broadband for America (BfA) hosted its Virginia Forum event at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville. The event featured a number of state officials and local leaders including Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and BfA board member Dave McClure.
• Senator Jeff McWaters
  • McDonnell signs 17 troop-friendly bills – The Virginian-Pilot - New laws to ease absentee voting for military members stationed outside Virginia and allow uniformed active-duty personnel to drive in local high-occupancy-vehicle lanes were among the 17 bills signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell during a ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Obenshain Given New Task – Daily News Record - On Thursday, Gov. Bob McDonnell named Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, to serve on the Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Tobacco Commission OKs funds for uranium study – Danville News - The Virginia Tobacco Commission approved up to $200,000 for a socioeconomic study of uranium mining and milling during its meeting Thursday at the Hotel Roanoke.
  • Riverstone Project In Line For $471,000 – The Gazette-Virginian - The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority is in line to receive 21 percent of the $2.25 million in grant funding it sought from the Virginia Tobacco Commission after the Commission’s Southside Economic Development Committee met Thursday in Roanoke.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Group focusing on county's top cultural tourism assets – The Franklin News-Post - What are the top cultural tourism destinations in Franklin County?
  • Tobacco commission funds study on uranium mining – WDBJ7.com - The prospect of uranium mining in Pittsylvania County is the subject of another study. 

Now that we have completed the regular 2010 session, I am focused on the additional responsibilities that I have as a legislator.  This includes the various commissions that I serve on such as the Tobacco Commission, the Center for Rural Virginia, the King Commission, and the Small Business Commission.   As a legislator, I am also invited to and honored to join various groups such as the regional Rescue Squad Competition Awards ceremony as I did Saturday evening.

 Virginia’s Rural Center

The Center for Rural Virginia had its spring meeting in Lynchburg last week.  Legislation passed during the session added the Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce and Trade to the Center's Board.  It has been my honor to serve as the chairman of the Center since its creation several years ago.  Over the course of this time we have tried to help other parts of the state better understand the challenges and opportunities in rural Virginia.  This year we were selected as the lead organization along with USDA Rural Development in putting together a rural forum for the 14 Southern states.  This will be held on the 11th and 12th of May.  Additionally we will be setting up regional meetings of legislators, local government, and business leaders to discuss how better to address the issues we in rural Virginia face.

 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

All things that are made, regardless if by individuals or government have impacts.  We must always consider not only the direct effect of those decisions but also the secondary effects.  When Congress passed the National Healthcare legislation, it set up a series of decisions that states, businesses, and families will have to make.
   States  The additional funds to pay for the state portion of Medicaid are expected to be close to $2 billion.  This will take effect in a couple of years as we try to come out of the depth of the recession. Just when teachers and state employees were expecting restored funding, we will be forced to find $2 billion new tax revenue.  If the economy is growing, this will eat up projected growth.
   Businesses will face increased premium rates because of federal policy that will drive rates.  Some businesses will chose to shift a greater portion of the monthly premiums to the employees.  Others will opt to get out of the health insurance benefit completely, choosing instead to simply pay the $2000 penalty for each employee.  Some of those will pass the difference to the employees to buy insurance on their own, others will not.
   Families will fall into two categories - those that had a preexisting condition that made health insurance impossible to obtain, will be better served by the federal legislation.  Those that had insurance will be faced with higher premiums for several reasons.  First, group policies must factor in the preexisting conditions of others.  Second, the employer may have to reduce the company's portion of that bill - shifting more to the employees.  Still others may have their employer simply drop the insurance benefit.
     Some families will pay the higher rates. Others, however, will choose to drop their insurance and simply pass the federal penalty until they have health problems.  This of course will leave groups with smaller, less healthy groups.  This too will increase premiums of those who stay in the group.

I have been trying to stay in closer contact with folks either through these emails, speaking with civic organizations, or the tele-town hall we held last month.  I hope to continue to improve our relationship. If I can be of assistance, please call me. If you have legislation that you want me to consider, thoughts on recent legislation, or would like for me to speak at your civic groups next meeting, please email me at  sen.ruff@verizon.net  or call me at 434 374 5129.

Sincerely,

 Frank Ruff
15th Senatorial District

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.

• Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
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• 919 East Main Street, 24th Floor - Richmond, VA
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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 Fred Quayle
  • Defense contractor starts up – Suffolk News-Herald - Local, state and federal officials joined a major defense-industry manufacturer on Monday to celebrate a cooperative effort that they expect will result in a $9.2 million investment in Suffolk and at least 200 new jobs.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Officials seeks water deal by state – News & Record - The economic development committee of the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors on Monday agreed that Virginia and North Carolina should negotiate an agreement to buy the remaining water allocation in John H. Kerr Reservoir.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Park entrance: a risky gamble? – Powhatan Today - Development of a state park in Powhatan is scheduled to begin in earnest this summer, but officials still don’t know when the Commonwealth will be able to afford the road improvements it’s going to take to make the entrance to the park- the intersection of Route 522 and Old River Trail- safe for drivers.

Alert!
Good people are needed to serve on boards and commissions of state government.  Governor McDonnell must appoint citizen members to serve in various positions.  If you believe you would like to serve in this way and your background and interests are compatible for one of these appointments, let me know right away.

There’s Oil in Them There Shells

There has been a lot of talk about the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the impact that it would have if off shore drilling rigs set up off the coast of the Virginia.   I am waiting to read the official report of the accident and hope to find out why this happened and what will be done to prevent this from happening in the future.

Some use this as an argument against drilling off the coast of Virginia; however, before we make hard decisions about that there are three things to look at and consider.  First, note how many drilling sites, both Mexican and American, are located in the Gulf of Mexico, and remember this is the first of such spills.  Second, if you look at the maps that show where the oil slick might move, and consider current drilling stations to our south, either from the gulf or between Cuba and Florida, this slick could affect the waters of Virginia.   Lastly, remember that currently Cuba is under contract to drill off the coast of Florida, as well as other contracts that have been or will be awarded.  Should we be more concerned about their drilling precautions and regulation or those of ours that we control?  The question is not will the drilling occur, but rather, who will do the drilling and under what standards of safety. 

Immigration – whose job is it anyway?

Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the new immigration laws in Arizona.  Some are claiming that they are unconstitutional and that they violate the rights of illegal immigrants.   The real issue, however, is not what is happening in Arizona.  The issue is what is not happening in Washington D.C.  It is extremely unfortunate that the leaders in Washington refuse to do anything about illegal immigrants. 

With unemployment levels hovering at 10% and a broken economy crippling our nation, Washington needs to get stricter on controlling our borders.  Furthermore, in addition to over burdening our schools, prisons and hospitals, illegals send billions of dollars out of the country every year.  That is money that could be spent in our localities and our country.  If, however, the Federal government continues to ignore the problem, other states will be forced to start taking matters into their own hands to protect their citizens.

Again, thank you for helping me know what your concerns are.  If you have any concerns email me at sen.ruff@verizon.net or call my office at 434 374 5129.

Sincerely,

 Frank Ruff
15th Senate District

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 Stephen Newman
  • Lynchburg leaders ask for state help to break U.S. 29 bypass impasse – Lynchburg News & Advance - The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and state Sen. Steve Newman are asking the governor and attorney general to help break “a 20-year impasse on the proposed Charlottesville bypass of U.S. 29.”
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • First, prove mining can be safe – The Virginian-Pilot - If there are 119 million pounds of uranium beneath Pittsylvania County, and the state legislature lifts the current mining moratorium, lots of people are going to get jobs.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Alpha Natural Resources holds groundbreaking for new headquarters – TriCities.com - From drawing board to Tuesday’s groundbreaking, Alpha Natural Resources’ new $21 million corporate headquarters already has grown by more than 20 percent.

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.

Last week I attended a  meeting with people from fourteen states from Maryland to Texas.We discussed and planned a better course for those rural communities.  Each state has experienced growth in the metropolitan parts of the state, while the rural sections have not kept pace.  This trend must be reversed.  Below is the media release.

Rural leaders meet to map out future regional policies

      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.
     A fourteen State convening of over one hundred local, regional, state, and federal representatives of the rural South met May 11 and 12, 2010, in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Sponsored by Partners for Rural America, a national association of State Rural Development Council's and Rural Centers.  This was one of four regional gatherings across the United States.  The focus was to determine if the challenges faced in rural America can better be addressed regional, looking beyond state borders. Public policies and programs that preserve and enhance the quality of rural living in each Southern State were identified. 
    The event was chaired by Glen Sink, Executive Director of the  Center and Council for Rural Virginia.  State Senator Frank Ruff (Mecklenburg), Chairman of the Center for Rural Virginia, welcomed participants on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia and  Governor, Bob McDonnell.
    According to Ruff, the purpose of the event was to strengthen the relationship between those from the various states working in the realm improving the economy and the opportunities in the rural regions.  This includes those that are in the public sector as well as those involved with non-profit organizations, and private entities  that serve the people of the Southern region of the United States. 
      Presentations focused on comparing  changes that have occurred over the last decade in the rural regions of the South in comparison to the more  urban centers.  Those presentations compared both economic and demographic changes.
     Participants began developing innovative policy changes that could be implemented to enhance the rural economy and its workforce. Among the issues discussed was how better to be involved in alternative energy development and how to better use broadband accessibility for those who choose to live and work in rural sectors of the America.      
     Ruff, Sink, and past Rural Virginia Council Chairman Oliver McBride agreed with Weldon Cooper's Randy Arno when he said  "Each state needs one organization for the rural areas of that State to turn to as as a one stop resource to provide the most up to date information regarding best practices available to better serve their communities.  This organization would work on behalf of rural areas to collect and distribute examples of innovative programs that improve rural opportunity, gather workforce data and improve coordination, deploy broadband for business and home use, and develop sustainable energy alternatives.  Hopefully, the needs of each unique rural place will influence the design and the delivery of local, state, and federal programs."
   Glen is the Executive Director  of both the Federally sanctioned Council  for Rural Va and the  Center for Rural Virginia a public-private  partnership between the private sector and state government chaired by State Senator Frank Ruff (Mecklenburg)

Any time that you have a question or comment you can reach my office at 434-374-5129 or email me at sen.ruff@verizon.net or write me at P.O. Box 332,  Clarksville, Va 23927

Sincerely,

Frank Ruff
15th Senate District

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 Stephen Newman, Walter Stosch and William Wampler
  • Dominion chief heads McDonnell's higher-ed panel – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Dominion Resources President Thomas Farrell, a former rector of the University of Virginia, will lead Gov. Bob McDonnell's commission tasked with keeping college tuition costs down and boosting the number of students attending college and attaining degrees.
• Senator Robert Hurt
  • Post 52 will hold ceremony honoring veterans on Saturday – WPVCA.com - The American Legion Post 52 of Brookneal will hold its 5th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday, May 29, 11 a.m., at Brookneal Community Building, Main Street, Brookneal. This year's guest speaker will be State Senator Robert Hurt.
• Senator Stephen Newman
  • Falwell named to higher-education reform commission – Lynchburg News & Advance - Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. to serve on his Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment, according to an announcement made Friday.
  • Oil Spill Fears Here at Home – WSET.com - President Obama spoke out Thursday about just how dire the situation in the Gulf of Mexico is.
• 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.
• Senator William Wampler
  • City leaders approve loan for school office building – Bristol Herald Courier - City leaders Tuesday unanimously agreed to seek a $3 million interest-free loan to pay for a school administration building.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Law To Require Localities To Pay For Buried Transmission Lines – Leesburg Today - Starting July 1, residents and local governments will find it more difficult to lobby the State Corporation Commission to force power companies to place new transmission lines underground.

• Join Senator Frank Ruff for "Franks with Frank"
• June 5, 2010
• Location: Dixie Warehouse
• 1428 Rocky Branch - South Hill, VA
• 5:00 - 7:00 pm
• For additional Information please contact sen.ruff@verizon.net or call 434.347.5129.
• Sponsorship Levels:

• Gold Sponsor - $500
  Silver Sponsor - $250
  Bronze Sponsor - $100
  Individual Ticket - $10
  Young people under 15 years of age are free

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.

                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.

Ruff to Join Governor on Trade Mission to England

(Clarksville, VA)  In an effort to attract British businesses to Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell has asked State Senator Frank Ruff (15^th Senate District, Mecklenburg County) and Delegate Terry Kilgore (Scott County) to join him on a Trade Mission to England in July.

"This is a great opportunity for us to sell the assets of our part of Virginia. We have hard working people and a good quality of life in the region,” said Ruff. “This gives us a chance to make the case for our region directly with folks who might be interested in having an operation in the United States."

Ruff said this business trip could yield great returns.
"There are no guarantees, particularly during this economic downturn, but we are all committed to doing all we can,” said Ruff. “We have a very busy meeting schedule planned and this will be a great opportunity to attract jobs to our part of the state."

Because much of Southern Virginia and Southwest Virginia have experienced higher rates of unemployment than many parts of the state, Governor McDonnell has committed his administration to assist these regions as they try to replace jobs that were lost since textile, furniture, and other industries have left the Southern regions of the state.

Senator Ruff also said that the group is going to work very hard to make this region more desirable to businesses in the UK that may be looking to expand their productions overseas.

Senator Ruff is the Vice Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission and Delegate Kilgore is the chairman of the Commission.
The Trade Mission is scheduled for July.

Contact Robbie McMillan with any questions at 434 374 5129 or email sen.ruff@verizon.net

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
  • Virginia FREE 2010 legislator rankings – NVDaily.com - Ratings by the pro-business advocacy organization Virginia FREE for members of the Virginia General Assembly based on votes taken on business legislation before the 2010 session. Members are grouped by cumulative score by chamber, name and party.
  • Business, conservation groups rate Va. Lawmakers – Richmond Times Dispatch - Republicans lead in one closely watched legislative report card. Democrats do better in another. Both grading systems are about green -- campaign cash and the environment.
  • Virginia Free evaluates legislators – Inside Business - The Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education, or Virginia Free, has evaluated Virginia lawmakers for their views on business issues. Jeffrey McWaters and Frank Wagner earned the highest marks.
• Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Lawmakers- High Court Decision on Guns Shouldn't Affect VA – WTVR.com - A Supreme Court decision declaring a handgun ban in Chicago "unconstitutional" could impact many states, but probably not Virginia.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Scholarship program lauded – The News Record - The Virginia Tobacco Commission’s Scholarship/Forgivable Loan program was recognized by the Southern Growth Policy Board at the 2010 Innovator Awards ceremony held Monday, June 7.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • NEW STATE LAWS ON THE BOOKS – Fredericksburg.com - Tomorrow, 877 new laws will go into effect in Virginia. The laws, passed by the General Assembly during its session at the beginning of the year, cover everything from a locality's ability to cut grass to concealed weapons in bars.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Gulf spill gives Va. lawmakers second thoughts on new policy – The Virginian-Pilot - The record oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is causing many Virginia lawmakers to rethink their position on a new state policy, signed into law just before the disaster began, that supports oil drilling off the Virginia coast.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Lt. Gov. Bolling: There is light at the end of the tunnel – TriCities.com - Virginia’s chief economic development officer, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, said Tuesday that he can see the light at the end of the recession’s tunnel – and Southwest Virginia is well positioned to take advantage of the economic growth to come.
  • Dreaming big dreams – Southwest Virginia Today - It looks a lot like tourism, but it’s not, at least not entirely, Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission Executive Director Todd Christensen said.
• Senator John Watkins
  • NEW TOW LAW'S GOAL IS SAFETY – Fredericksburg.com - If you are towing an improperly secured trailer on Virginia roads, Ron Melancon is looking for you.

Please say a prayer for all the great things about this nation.  May that which our forefathers created continue to receive the blessings of our heavenly father.  Also, take a moment this holiday weekend to remember all of those that have worked so hard and sacrificed so much for our nation’s freedom.  Let us all set aside our differences this weekend and celebrate together.  Thank you so much for your support and I wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July.

Around the District

All across the state and nation there are celebrations of the 4th. Last evening South Hill had fireworks.  Today Clarksville, Scottsburg and Scottsville all had parades.  It would be great to be able to attend all.  That, however, is impossible.  I do hope each of you takes the time to celebrate our founding and for what it stands.  There were fireworks in South Hill tonight and there will be fireworks in Meherrin and Gasburg this weekend as well as many other places throughout the district.  Please celebrate responsibly!

A Little History Lesson

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?  Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.  Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.  What kind of men were they?  Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well-educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

So, let's take a few moments while enjoying our 4th of July holiday and silently appreciate these patriots and thank the God who moved them. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Again, I wish you and your family a very happy and safe 4th of July holiday. 
If I can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to call me at 434 374 5129 or email me at sen.ruff@verizon.net

Sincerely,

Frank Ruff
15th Senate District

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 Steven Newman
  • Double-murderer Soering to stay in Virginia – Richmond Times-Dispatch - The U.S. Justice Department is leaving double-murderer Jens Soering in a Virginia prison to serve out his punishment.
  • Update: Jens Soering to Stay in Virginia – WSET.com - The Department of Justice has decided prisoner Jens Soering will not be leaving Virginia.
  • Convicted murderer Soering to remain in Virginia prisons – Lynchburg News & Advance - Heavy opposition from Virginia officials, including Gov. Bob McDonnell, legislators and law enforcement, persuaded the U.S. Department of Justice to leave convicted murderer Jens Soering in a state prison.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Governor Announces Funding Plans for Rest Areas – WHSV.com - Barricades no longer block the entrances to some of the Valley's rest areas, but there's still a lot of attention being paid to the issue of funding them.
  • Catholic involvement ‘critical’ in Virginia abortion funding victory, advocate says – Catholic News Agency - “Countless hours” of behind-the-scenes advocacy helped add significant restrictions on abortion funding to the Virginia budget, the director of the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) has explained.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Ground broken for regional jail – VaNcNews.com - The weather was lovely on Thursday, July 1, for the ground breaking ceremony for the Meherrin River Regional Jail located at the intersection of Boydton Plank Road and Liberty Road.
• Senator Richard Stuart
  • Menhaden working group misled – Northumberland Echo - It will be interesting to see who shows up at State Sen. Ralph Northern's menhaden management working group meetings when they start later this month.
  • New laws take effect across Commonwealth – Northern Neck News - A number of new Virginia laws went into effect July 1, some of which have much bearing locally, according to state lawmakers.

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.

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 Robert Hurt
  • Poll: Hurt enjoys 23-point lead over Perriello – Charlottesville Daily Progress - Republican challenger Robert Hurt holds a 23-point advantage over 5th District incumbent Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, a new poll suggests.
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • Changing Va. liquor sales has broad implications – The Washington Post - For months, aides to Gov. Bob McDonnell have been meeting behind closed doors with alcohol retailers and wholesalers, public safety officials and faith-based groups to come up with a way to fulfill one of the governor's most notable campaign promises: privatizing Virginia's liquor stores.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • Local leaders voice needs to state – VaNcNews.com - Leaders from across Southside Virginia gathered Friday afternoon to voice their thoughts to Governor Bob McDonnell’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring.
• Senator William Wampler
  • Latest on Push for Rail Service in Southwest Virginia – WCYB.com - RAIL Solution continues to find ways to establish passenger service from Bristol to Richmond and Washington, D.C.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Gun range details remain murky – Powhatan Today - The state police are seeking a final decision on a proposal to build a shooting range and training facility in Powhatan County.

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 Steve Newman
  • Senator Newman Considers Plan For Private Liquor Sales – WSET.com - Governor McDonnell continues to push for a plan to privatize liquor sales in the commonwealth. It could generate up to half-a-billion dollars a year, which the governor's office says would be used to improve transportation.
• Senator Tommy Norment
  • Pay-for-judge requirement for disputed divorces – Daily Press - Looking to divorce in York County or Poquoson? If contested, it's going to cost $250 an hour just for the judge.
  • York Notebook: Deputy prosecutor in mix for judge's seat – WTVR.com - A new name — and potential impasse breaker — has emerged in the ongoing stalemate between two state lawmakers regarding an appointment to fill the York-Poquoson Circuit Court judge's seat vacant since N. Prentis Smiley died in late 2008.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • McDonnell to return from overseas trip tomorrow – Richmond Times-Dispatch - Gov. Bob McDonnell hopes to return from his first foreign trade mission with jobs for central Virginia.
• Senator Walter Stosch
  • Virginia Tax: Income tax burden shifts to higher-income Virginians – Taxrates.cc - While high-income Virginians are paying proportionally more income tax than a decade ago, analysts warn income tax alone gives an incomplete picture of how the state's tax burden is spread out.
• Senator Jill Vogel
  • Winchester looks to "go green" – TV3Winchester.com - When you think about "going green", it may be hard to imagine what we could do to have an impact, but Thursday leaders took the first step to move our community in that direction.
• Senator Frank Wagner
  • Going Solar in Virginia Isn't All That Easy – SolarTown - Thanks to severe home improvement regulations from homeowners associations (HOAs), as well as lack of state-funded incentives, residents and business owners in Virginia are waging an uphill battle to go solar.
• Senator John Watkins
  • Many support high-speed rail plan, but some worry about overpasses – The Progress-Index - The comments rolled in as folks shared their concerns and hopes for proposed high speed rail service connecting Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, N.C., through the Tri-Cities.