Sunday, April 7, 2013
Virginia's legislature passed an amendment prohibiting some insurance companies from providing abortion coverage.
This week, Virginia’s legislature approved a measure by Gov. Bob McDonnell that prohibits certain health insurance companies from providing coverage for women seeking an abortion. The exceptions to the insurance coverage rule are in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. While the new Virginia legislation isn’t as restrictive of abortions as recent legislation passed in North Dakota and Alabama, critics are concerned about the financial effect the legislation may have on a woman’s decision. Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) said, “Women should be able to make decisions about their own health care without interference from politicians here in the state Capitol.” The Virginia Society for Human Life, an anti-abortion group, …
Friday, April 5, 2013
A Prince William County jury indicted Robin Howard on six charges of embezzling from an association of auditors.
The former head of Prince William County's Audit Services Department is accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars—from an association of auditors. A grand jury in Prince William County this week indicted Robin Howard on six charges of embezzlement. In addition to working as the director of Prince William's auditing department, Howard previously volunteered as the president and treasurer of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Howard is accused of embezzling over $50,000 from the institute. He left the position, and his job in Prince William County, at the end of 2011 to work as the assistant general manager for audit at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid …
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Republicans say a requirement for picture ID protects "sanctity" of the vote; Democrats argue the GOP is keeping certain voters away from the polls on purpose.
Virginia voters will need a photo ID when they're heading to the polls beginning in 2014 under new requirements signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell this week. Supporters argue that a voter registration card with no picture creates an opening for fraudulent voting. McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell said in a statement to The Washington Post that the new law is about protecting "the sanctity of our democratic process.” Democratic leaders have challenged voter ID laws as a type of voter suppression. They note those without a photo ID are likely found among Democratic voters, particularly seniors and college students. The new law will need approval by the U.S. Justice Department, a requirement for any voting changes in most Southern states …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Many school districts are on spring break or closed today due to snow, but federal workers had to report to work on time Monday.
A rare late March snowstorm across the DC area dumped 1 to 4 inches (and counting) of snow across the region late Sunday night and Monday morning, leaving snow covered roadways and a winter scene five days after the start of Spring. Snow was expected to continue for several hours Monday morning, though it would have an increasingly difficult time sticking to the ground as temperatures rose. By noon, forecasters said some rain would mix in with the snow before turning back to snow showers Monday evening. Most students in the region were already taking the day off for spring break — including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. DC Public Schools opened on time. Several private schools in the area had delays …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Does the commonwealth need another name on the ballot?
Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling took himself out of Virginia's race for governor last week, leaving, at least for now, what's shaping up to be a two-person race. The choice for the Old Dominion's next governor, seven months before Election Day, seems to have boiled down to presumptive Republican nominee Ken Cuccinelli, the state's socially conservative attorney general, against likely Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a McLean businessman. The Republican Party of Virginia will hold its convention on May 17 and 18 in Richmond to formally select its nominee. Democrats go to the polls on June 11 to cast their ballots in several races, including governor and lieutenant governor. …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The new schedules for the OmniRide Tysons Express went into effect on Feb. 18.
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has revised its OmniRide Tysons Express schedules now that the I-495 Express Lanes have opened and personnel have had an opportunity to gather new data about travel times. By using the new Express toll lanes, which are free for buses and HOV 3+, PRTC has been able to reduce the travel time on its commuter bus service between Woodbridge and Tysons by an average of 20 minutes. That means Tysons Express riders can get to and from work even faster while still having "found time" during their commute - the time to do things one can't do while driving such as snoozing, checking emails, reading a book and maybe even getting some work done through the free Wi-Fi available on the bus. …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The Commission was created immediately after the implementation of automatic federal sequestration cuts and will begin its work in the coming days.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Go ahead: vent. Take our Patch Poll and give us your comments about whether Congress deserves a paycheck.
For those who were predicting sequestration would kick in and furloughs would soon begin, you got it right. Sequestration 2013 is under way, which prompted a Patch reader to ask this about Congress: What are we paying these guys for? Because there's no budget deal, 207,000 jobs in Virginia could be lost, and everyone from special-needs children to defense contractors are due to get hit. So we ask you, should we stop paying Congress members' salaries until they come to a deal on the budget? Tell us in our Patch Poll and in the comments section below.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sequestration could affect every traveler at airports nationwide, say U.S. Reps. Jim Moran, Gerry Connolly and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine speaking from Reagan National Airport Monday.
Federal sequestration could mean fewer flights and increased wait times at airports, Virginia lawmakers said Monday. Further, it threatens to close small- to mid-sized airports across the country. The massive, indiscriminate spending cuts Congress put in motion to force a budget compromise would cut $600 million from the Federal Aviation Administration if they go into effect Friday. Jobs on the Line Under sequestration, the FAA would have to furlough employees for 11 days — with as much as 10 percent of its workforce furloughed on any given day — and the agency would be unable to hire replacements for the 30 percent of its workers eligible to retire. Up to 2,200 air traffic controllers would be furloughed, forcing airports to reduce the …
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Millions lost over five years with rate approved by Prince William County Supervisors on Tuesday.
Prince William County Schools will lose $1.3 million next year after the Board of County Supervisors lowered its projected rate increase for county tax bills, according to a district statement. Prince William County staff and the school district developed budgets that assumed an average tax bill increase of 4 percent for residential property owners. On Tuesday, the Supervisors cut the maximum rate increase that they would accept to 3.53 percent. That is an average tax rate of $1.196 per $100 of assessed value. Read more about the Board of Supervisors budget vote On Wednesday morning, the district issued a statement on its website noting that will mean a budget shortfall of $1.3 million next year and up to $20 million in lost revenue over …
Jackieh
11:51 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sure we are...maybe vasectomies too. These are the old white men making rules for the women of Virginia. We ladies have to rebel and make sure we throw them out of office. And make sure Ken Cooch doesn't get elected. He makes Trans Vaginal Probe Bob look like a flaming liberal. more ›