1. SNOWMAGEDDON
Overshadowed everything this week. But it didn’t take long for the political implications of the storm to emerge. The Post’s reports included an hour by hour comparison of power outages in areas in the metro region covered by Dominion and Pepco, one in which Dominion fared quite well. And over the next few days, state and local officials are sure to be judged by the quality of the recovery operations they lead.
2. Cuccinelli on Fox
Less than a month into his term, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli appeared on Fox Business’ Cavuto show to observe that he’s looking forward to challenging the national Democrats if they pass health care legislation along the lines that have been currently proposed. The profile of AGs nationwide has become increasingly higher. It seems that hardly a day goes by that Andrew Cuomo isn’t hauling some company or corporate exec into court into New York. Conservative-leaning national media outlets will be looking for GOP counter-voices to Cuomo and I expect Cuccinelli to be high on the list. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he weighs in very strongly on some of the ethics and conflict of interest issues that the Assembly is considering.
3. McEachin Takes on the Democratic Senate Leadership
At key points in his political career, Donald McEachin has challenged other Democratic Assembly members. He was first elected to the House by defeating Bob Ball in a primary. He was elected to the Senate by defeating BennyLambert in another primary contest. This session, McEachin has become one of the vocal members of the Senate, unsparing in his criticism of fellow Democrats who are consenting to GOP inspired priorities. McEachin noted this week that he was “incredulous” that five of his Democratic colleagues, including Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Colgan, voted for a GOP bill that essentially labels the national Democrats’ health care plans unconstitutional. He followed this up by questioning the wisdom of Senate Majority leader Dick Saslaw’s notion that Senate Democrats should endorse a budget that doesn’t include a tax increase, arguing that it would be “morally bankrupt” for Democrats to endorse the cuts in services that the GOP proposes.
4. What Happened to Virginia in the High Speed Rail Sweepstakes?
The decision to award Virginia a virtual pittance of the $8 billion in high speed rail money allocated by the Obama administration came as a tremendous blow to advocates who felt that former Governor Kaine’s relationship with the President might get some “plus points” for the state’s application. The three big winners were California, Illinois and Florida. The reaction in the Sunshine State to the sweepstakes victory was especially interesting as stories in major news outlets in Orlando, Tampa and Miami all wondered whether the very concept of high speed rail would ever be adequately supported by Floridians. No one’s quite explained how Virginian’s application, supported by large segments of the organized business community, was so cavalierly dismissed.
5. Local Budgets
It’s budget approval time in all Virginia localities right now and the stories that are emerging from across the Commonwealth are remarkably similar. School systems are proposing programmatic cuts and some personnel layoffs. Local governments are talking about the most challenging budgetary environment in a generation. One of the major unanswered questions is how many localities will endorse a property tax increase that will keep overall receipts from property owners “revenue neutral” even if the values of most properties have decreased.
6. Sammy Hagar Bills Moving Forward
It looks as if the General Assembly and Governor McDonnell will be providing relief to at least one group of Virginians, those who share the old Van Halen rocker Sammy Hagar’s conviction that “I Can’t Drive 55.” Bills to allow 70 miles per hour limits on all appropriate highways in Virginia appear to be proceeding without any speed bumps. With Vegas crooner Wayne Newton coming to the Assembly to testify on behalf of recognition for the Patawomeck Indian tribe, perhaps Dave Albo can invite Hagar to sing with his band at the bill signing ceremony for 70 MPH.
7. Perriello Dollars
Tom Perriello’s 5th District congressional seat is obviously a top target for both the Virginia and the national GOP this year. Fundraising reports out this week indicate that Perriello will be raising enough money to make a spirited defense of a seat that even some Democrats believe is ripe for the retaking. While I agree with the argument that some of Perriello’s votes will be very tough to defend in his district, I also believe that he remains a formidable candidate that the GOP cannot underestimate. He is visible with his constituents and he has a strong service service orientation. And, by summertime, he’ll be sitting a pile of cash. This is going to be a very hard fought race and it’s not clear if the GOP will emerge from their primary more united or divided.
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