Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

August 2010

ajohnston's picture

News from the Office of Senator Frank Ruff - August 31, 2010

Mon, 2010-08-30 20:00 -- ajohnston

This week it was announced that Microsoft will be making a $500 million investment into Mecklenburg County by way of a data center in Boydton.  This is the single largest investment in Southside Virginia's history and a giant step in the right direction for job growth in the region.   I want to thank all those that made it happen.  The County officials who did a great job with the site, the state economic development folks who brought Microsoft to look at Mecklenburg, the Tobacco Commission that put in incentives, and Governor McDonnell for coming to Boydton to help close the deal.  It has

ajohnston's picture

Sen. McWaters Appointed to Governor's Military Commission

Wed, 2010-08-25 20:00 -- ajohnston

Senator McWaters is appointed to Governor McDonnell's Commission on Military and National Security Facilities  
Governor Bob McDonnell announced today the members of his Commission on Military and National Security Facilities. This commission was formed in response to discussions in February by Virginia's Congressional Delegation and the recent proposal to close the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). Senator Jeff McWaters joins Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and co-chairs Tom Davis and Owen Pickett, on this important commission. 

ajohnston's picture

Virginia Ends FY2010 with Budget Surplus

Tue, 2010-08-24 20:00 -- ajohnston

It sounds like a long time ago, but back in January when you sent me to Richmond for the first time, my colleagues and I were facing a daunting $1.8 billion budget shortfall. However, last week Governor McDonnell announced that Virginia's Fiscal Year 2010 budget ended with a "surplus" of $403.2 million dollars. This additional money was the result of $228 million more in collected revenues than expected and $175 million in unspent agency balances.

ajohnston's picture

Good News on the Fiscal Front--and a McDonnell Town Hall

Mon, 2010-08-23 20:00 -- ajohnston

Greetings!

Last week, Governor McDonnell formally announced a major milestone in the ongoing effort to restore fiscal prudence in state government. When my colleagues and I went to Richmond in January, we were staring down the barrel of a $1.8 billion budget shortfall, coming on the heels of substantial cuts just to bring the previous year's budget into balance. When the books closed on Fiscal Year 2010, however, the story was different: we had $403.2 million left over.

ajohnston's picture

News from the office of Sen. Ruff - August 17, 2010

Mon, 2010-08-16 20:00 -- ajohnston

While I was in England last month, I read an extremely interesting story in one of the British papers about one woman's struggle with government operated insurance programs.   I had hoped to send out that story as written but I could not find it when I returned.  The story; however, paints the true picture of government operated insurance.  It was written by a 73 year old lady who lived alone in London.  Below is the story to the best of my recollection

A British Healthcare Nightmare

ajohnston's picture

Senator Norment Statement on Joint Forces Command Closure

Mon, 2010-08-09 20:00 -- ajohnston

In response to Defense Secretary Robert Gates ‘proposed closure of United States Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R- James City) issued the following statement:

 “Joint Forces Command employs more than 4,900 employees, provides nearly $200 million in military and civilian salaries each year and nearly half a billion dollars in contracts.  It is a crucial employer in Hampton Roads and its elimination could translate into the loss of over 6,000 military, civilian and contractor jobs in the region.  The impact on the region will be staggering.