'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
It takes a certain kind of genius to come up with the most unpopular idea in all of politics. A few years ago, Virginia's then-Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, developed a scheme to lease part of Interstate 95 to an Australian company so it could impose a tax on the commonwealth's drivers for the next 75 years. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, a Republican, is prepared to give final approval to this misguided high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane proposal. Before he does so, he ought to talk to his Georgia counterpart.
This week, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced his plan to eliminate state regulations governing three occupations, including hair braiding and interior design. A reasonable person can have only one reaction to this news: surprise and shock that the Virginia state government was regulating hair braiders and interior designers in the first place. But Virginia does regulate these occupations, and it is hardly alone: Nationwide, we are in the midst of an unprecedented sea of occupational-licensing requirements. In the 1950s, only about 1 in 20 Americans needed to get special permission from the government to do his job. Today that number is about 1 in 3.
The freedom of the open road could soon be a thing of the past for Virginia motorists. Big-government bureaucrats of all political stripes yearn to return to the days when toll barriers were used to shake down anyone using main thoroughfares. They've been upset ever since President Eisenhower's system of gas-tax-funded freeways spurred commerce, industry and travel across the country. On Friday, the Obama administration gave the green light to turn back the clock.
At a time when Washington continues to struggle to trim deficits that approach $1.5 trillion annually, Republican-led states, along with a few Democratic officials, continue to take the tough steps necessary to balance their state
When it comes to encouraging prosperity, the Old Dominion is trouncing the Old Line State. The American Legislative Exchange Council this week released a "Rich States, Poor States" report that modeled the 50 states and ranked the economic outlook in each. Virginia secured a third-place slot while neighboring Maryland lagged midpack at 21. That's no accident.
D.C. lawmakers vote today on fiscal 2012 budget; Thomas case exposes ethics loophole as Nathan criticizes D.C. Council's ethics bill; Allen has a 'Blueprint for America’s Comeback'; Kaine: No 2012 budget from Senate is 'major failure'; Prince George's bids for Redskins HQ study; NORAD intercepts second plane in area in three days
Legislators say the most sizable vacancy in the Virginia Supreme Court's history isn't going to end soon - with two of seven seats unfilled for four months.
Sex traffickers in Virginia can now be prosecuted even if their victims dont testify against them under a new law signed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell on Tuesday.
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is putting an anticipated $600,000 year-end surplus toward disaster relief in areas of the state hurt by severe weather and tornadoes last month.
Virginia lawmakers are hoping Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will halt the transfer of thousands of workers to the Mark Center in Alexandria under authority granted him within a spending bill passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has turned down Jens Soering yet again — this time denying the convicted killer's request that he be recommended for parole.
Gray meets with disgruntled supporters, Metro considers simplifying signs, Ehrlich discusses life after Maryland, YouTube video raises questions about Metro Transit Police, Good month for McDonnell, Brown takes on budget
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is scheduled to make what his office describes as a "major economic development announcement" in Staunton, Va., on Monday, adding to what has been a series of positive business developments in the state this month.
Former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's last-minute attempt to return an imprisoned murderer to his native Germany, where he likely would have been freed in two years, is threatening to emerge as a key early issue in one of the most anticipated U.S. Senate races next year.
Mr. McDonnell, a Republican, told the board that inmate labor and private contributions would help manage the costs of reopening the rest stops.
This week, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced his plan to eliminate state regulations governing three occupations, including hair braiding and interior design.
