The General Assembly wrapped up its 2013 business, officially, April 3, at the conclusion of the “Veto” session. Since then, a flurry of scorecards have been released by several organizations, including the Family Foundation’s late last week. Usually released … Read more>

Seconds ago, Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R-Williamsburg) on the floor, during debate on the tax-increase-and-spend-transportation bill:

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a simple man. I’m a simpleton.

A little while later, he and 24 other senators joined 60 … Read more>

Persistence is one of the most important ingredients in the legislative process. Defeat of a bill cannot deter a lawmaker, nor even people who support the idea. Some laws languished as remains in the sausage grinder for years before they … Read more>

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has just released audio of his answer to a question at a news conference today, where he let loose on Senate Democrats who criticized Virginia State and Capitol Police for their handling of Saturday afternoon’s Capitol … Read more>

Now that the dust has settled — not from the earthquake (another aftershock of 4.5 magnitude at 1:00 a.m. with possibly more in the offing) — but from Virginia’s General Assembly primary season, some thoughts.

First, although my prediction on Monday… Read more>

Is there a new Senate ”Gang of Five”? J. Scott Leake thinks so. Mr. Leake should know. He was a top insider to the leadership of the “moderate” Republicans who held sway during the years of GOP control of that chamber. … Read more>

After all the reporting we’ve done this week on SB 504, Senator Ralph Smith’s (R-22, Roanoke) coerced abortion bill, and the Senate’s mischief with it, the in-box has been flooded and the phone lines burned up with questions. We are grateful for your … Read more>

Speaking of Virginia’s budget process and Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s idea to reform the process whereby the lame duck, outgoing governor proposes the next two-year budget, more is needed to be done. For one, zero-based budgeting. Even Creigh Deeds supports … Read more>

We’ve received a few questions about yesterday’s vote in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee on HB 2314, the chaplain prayer bill. The most asked question is simple: What was the actual vote on the bill? Unfortunately, because of the game played in committee, … Read more>