Democrats’ Slim Victories in NOVA Build GOP Hopes
State Program Helps Children Lacking Health Insurance
Fewer Families Can Afford Housing in James City County
Smith Bill Addresses Student Voter Registration Rules
Gear Bill Would let University Students Out of Jury Duty
Virginia Environmental Groups Optimistic About Virginia National Forests Proposals
Some HOV Cheaters Find Odds in Their Favor
Critics Say Smoking Ban [...]

Tim Craig in The Washington Post Saturday morning reports that Governor Kaine and Speaker Howell have reached a new agreement on a smoking ban. The new concord substantially removes the amendments passed by the GOP House majority that weakened the original agreement between the Governor and the Speaker.
As Craig reports, the new deal restores the [...]

Virginia’s Fiscal Year Revenue Posts Largest Decline on Record
Kaine and Howell Work Out New Deal and Tougher Smoking Ban
Halftime Report on the General Assembly
Commonwealth Transportation Board Cuts $2 Billion from State Plan to Ensure Virginia Will Qualify for Stimulus Money
Commonwealth Transportation Board Approves Funds for Lynchburg-D.C. Train
Jeff Frederick, GOP Chair, Won’t Run for Re-Election, Asks [...]

Kaine and Obama to Push Stimulus in Springfield
Virginia Seeks Stimulus Input from Public
GOP Senate Coup To Take-Over Courts of Justice and Finance with Disenchanted Northam Vote Fails After Tense Democratic Caucus Session and Personal Meeting with Governor Kaine
Kaine Calls Weakened Smoking Ban Counter to the Deal He Struck with Speaker Howell
Senate Passes Northam Bill Outlawing [...]

The debate over a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants presents complicated and difficult choices for those who understand and focus on the right concerns: freedom of choice for the owners of private property vs. the right not to be exposed to health hazards caused by the conduct of others. Both rights deserve government [...]

Weaker Smoking Ban Passes Key House Test
Smoking Ban- House Roll Call
Senate Passes Early Voting and Polling Extension Bills
Senate Passes Bill Approving Ticketing Of Teen Drivers Talking on Cellphones
Senate Weakens and Sidetracks Autism Insurance Bill
Senate Courts of Justice Defeats Martin Bill That Would Barred Local Governments from Regulating Content of Prayers Offered at Public Meetings
Senate Passes [...]

1. Nervous in NOVA
Sharon Bulova was elected Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, defeating Pat Herrity on Tuesday in a very close election. It is, of course, a great victory for Bulova who becomes the top political official in Virginia’s largest jurisdiction.  Yet coming on the heels of a sixteen vote victory by [...]

3 Way Primary Takes an Edgy Tone at Gala
Clinton Highlights JJ Dinner
Clinton, McAuliffe Raise Funds If Not Votes
House and Senate Budget Writers to Reveal Their Budget Cuts Today
Proposed Legislation in the House Down by One Third Because of New Rule Limiting the Number of  Bills Individual Legislators Can File
House P&E Committee Votes Down Constitutional Amendment [...]

McDonnell Opposes Kaine-Howell Smoking Ban Compromise
Rasmussen Poll: McDonnell Out in Front
Virginia Politics Rattled By McAuliffe’s Out-of-the-Box Gubernatorial Campaign
Bill Clinton to Headline JJ Dinner
How To Deploy Clinton is a Delicate Question for McAuliffe
Smoking Ban Set for Vote on Monday
If Smoking Ban Passes, Implementation Will Be Delayed Until October 1
House Passes Danny Marshall Bill That Would Open [...]

Kaine and Howell Offer Compromise Smoking Ban,  Stakes Are High as Opposition to Plan Builds From Both Sides
Uncertainties Could Delay Passage of Virginia Budget
Kaine Warns Local Officials That the Worst Is Still Ahead
Police Argue Against Cuts to Law Enforcement Funds
Legislators Look to Cut Off Regional Jail Funds and Develop More Efficient Funding Mechanisms
Fralin Bill Passes [...]