Down In Richmond | LocalKicks.com

New Law Lets Motorcyclists Ride Side by Side

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

Motorcyclists are eager to legally burn rubber side by side now that Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation permitting them to ride two abreast in a single driving lane in Virginia. House Bill 97, sponsored by Delegate Tony Wilt of Harrisonburg, allows two-wheeled motorcycles to drive alongside each

Election Officials Prepared for Sandy

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EDT

State Board of Elections Secretary Don Palmer made the following statement Monday regarding contingency preparations for the approaching storm: “The State Board of Elections (SBE) is closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy and working to minimize any potential impact

Dispersed Among Districts, Students Pass on Elections

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The student vote is an elusive, almost mythical thing. When students vote en masse, they can be a potent force, as Barack Obama saw in 2008. But it’s rare for students to go to the polls in large numbers, especially for state and local elections. “I think most students are pretty distracted

COOCH WATCH: Activists use Humor to score Points Against wacky Attorney General

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EDT

“Who watches the watchmen?” is a slogan that dates from Roman times and resonates in popular culture. It refers to the idea that even people at the top of the pyramid – like Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli – need somebody to oversee them. In Richmond, a group of activists has founded Cooch Watch

Governor McDonnell Announces $448.5 Million Budget Surplus For Fiscal Year 2012 - Source Alexandria News

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today during his annual remarks to the annual meeting of the General Assembly Joint Money Committees that Virginia has posted a total revenue and savings surplus of $448.5 million dollars for FY 2012. The surplus follows the Commonwealth's $544.8 million surplus

Despite Failing Grade on Transparency, Law Enforcement Officials Resist Opening Access

Mon, 2 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Back in March, Virginia received a failing grade from the State Integrity Investigation as the result of a systematic lack of transparency. Last week, members of a subcommittee of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council gathered

Governor McDonnell Signs Educational Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Legislation

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Governor Bob McDonnell today ceremonially signed House Bill 321 (Massie) and its companion Senate Bill 131 (Stanley) to establish the need-based Educational Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit for K-12 students. The tax credit is equal to 65 percent of the donation, with an annual cap of $25 million from the state.

Commonwealth Of Virginia Launches V3 Initiative To Increase Veteran Employment

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The Department of Veterans Services (DVS) this week met with more than 40 employers during a conference to announce the “Virginia Values Veterans (V3) initiative that will help successfully recruit and retain military veterans. Representing companies ranging in size from 20 employees

New Law Targets Cigarette Smuggling

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

You soon will face state fines and criminal charges if you buy large quantities of cigarettes in Virginia intending to resell them in a state with a higher tobacco tax. Beginning July 1, a new state law targets people "who possesses, with intent to distribute, more than 5,000 (25 cartons) tax-paid cigarettes." Violators would be guilty

FIRED UP: Obama Chooses Virginia to Kick Off Re-Election Bid

Tue, 8 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

It was perhaps fitting that President Barack Obama kickstarted his 2012 re-election bid by returning to the state which became a tipping point for his historic Presidential win in 2008. Obama kicked off his re-election bid Saturday in Richmond with a rally at Virginia Commonwealth University, calling