Court decision clouds future of Virginia toll roads

By   /  May 14, 2013  /  News, State Government, transportation, Virginia  /  1 Comment

TUNNEL TROUBLE: One circuit court judge's opinion that tolling in the Hampton Roads area is unconstitutional may place future public-private partnerships in Virginia in peril.

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau

ALEXANDRIA — Virginia’s love affair with public-private partnerships could be in peril.

A circuit court judge from Portsmouth ruled earlier this month that collecting tolls on an existing tunnel to pay for another tunnel is tantamount to raising taxes — and the un-elected Virginia Department of Transportation can’t do that under the Constitution of Virginia.

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Experts say Cuccinelli, McAuliffe plans to cut taxes will boost economy — but are they enough?

By   /  May 8, 2013  /  News, State Government, Taxes, Virginia  /  No Comments

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Wikipedia.

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli don’t often see eye to eye, but policy experts agree that both their plans to cut taxes if elected governor are a step in the right direction.
The question is, will their reforms be enough?
McAuliffe says he’ll either reduce or eliminate [...]

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Senate passes Internet tax bill; VA one step closer to securing transportation funding

By   /  May 6, 2013  /  Virginia Watchblog, WatchBlog  /  No Comments

ALEXANDRIA—The U.S. Senate on Monday night overwhelmingly passed a bill requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes in the states where their customers live, putting Virginia one step closer to securing the transportation funding for this year’s General Assembly transportation package.
Washington’s approval of the Marketplace Fairness Act, or Internet tax bill, as it’s become more [...]

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Virginia Week in Review: Who’s writing the check?

By   /  May 3, 2013  /  Virginia  /  1 Comment

state-flag-virginia

By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau

ALEXANDRIA—From Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell in the Executive Mansion to Democratic candidates who hope to lead the next Virginia administration, it all comes down to who’s writing the checks.

Word broke this week that the FBI is investigating McDonnell’s ties to Jonnie Williams, CEO of the Henrico-based pharmaceutical company Star Scientific. The news comes after weeks of public criticism of McDonnell for accepting extensive gifts from Williams, including an unreported $15,000 catering gift for his daughter’s wedding.

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LG, AG candidates getting more money from outside VA than from within

By   /  May 2, 2013  /  campaign fundraising, Featured, News, State Government, Virginia  /  No Comments

ANEESH CHOPRA: One of two Democratic hopefuls for lieutenant governor, Aneesh Chopra has raised more money from outside the commonwealth than inside.

Two candidates for executive offices in Virginia are raking in more campaign money from donors outside the commonwealth than from within.

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Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau, is in no way affiliated with "The Virginia Watchdog". Any similarities between Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau and "The Virginia Watchdog" is completely coincidental and unintentional. Any inquiries into "The Virginia Watchdog" may be done through their site.