By Whitney SpicerCapital News Service RICHMOND – Three days after Senate Democrats derailed his transportation funding plan, Gov. Bob McDonnell urged two key Democratic senators to support the House version of his proposal. McDonnell sent a letter Friday to Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw (D-35) of Fairfax and Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-9). McDonnell encouraged them to pass House Bill 2313, which contains his proposals to eliminate the state’s gasoline tax, increase the sales tax and raise vehicle registration fees to fund billions of dollars in road and transit projects. “While we can …

By Amir Vera Capital News Service RICHMOND – When Tiffany Glass Ferreira’s son Charlie was 3, she offered him a treat that nearly killed him. “I gave him cashews. He took one bite and started to have a severe reaction, where he was crying, grabbing his tongue – his face started to swell,” Ferreira said. “He looked like a Klingon, like a science-fiction character.” Charlie, now 5, ultimately recovered. To save other children from potentially fatal reactions to food allergies, Virginia last week adopted a law requiring schools to carry epinephrine auto-injectors, such as EpiPens. These devices …

By Ryan Murphy Capital News Service RICHMOND – A legislative conference committee soon will begin deliberations to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the state budget, which would take effect July 1. “We are cautiously optimistic that a solid, fiscally prudent budget will emerge from conference and be voted into law within the next few weeks,” House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said Tuesday. A number of sticking points could delay any agreement. They include road tolls in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, different provisions on Medicaid eligibility and the shuffling of …

By Sherese A. Gore Capital News Service RICHMOND – Virginia House Speaker William Howell on Sunday hailed the General Assembly’s just-concluded regular session as a success, citing the passage of legislation to create jobs, improve public education and reform public employees’ pension plan. “Foremost among these accomplishments is the passage of sweeping reforms to the Virginia Retirement System, which will secure the future of our state retirement plans for current employees and future generations of workers,” Howell said. “Our work on economic development, public education and government …

By Pia Talwar Capital News Service RICHMOND—Home-schooled students in Virginia will have to wait until next year to see if they can participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at their local high school. That’s because the Senate Education and Health Committee killed the so-called “Tebow Bill.” The bill, which had passed the House of Delegates, failed on a 7-8 vote last week in the Senate committee. Seven Republicans on the panel voted for the bill, while seven Democrats and one Republican voted against it. House Bill 947, proposed by Delegate Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville) would…

By Michael Bodine Capital News Service RICHMOND – Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed the much-debated bill that requires ultrasound testing before abortions into law. The bill, proposed by Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Lynchburg) has been among the most hotly contested social issues in this year’s General Assembly. It even sparked national criticism and became a hot topic for late night comedians. McDonnell signed House Bill 462 into law on Wednesday. Because the measure was amended multiple times, it first had to endure two votes from each house of the General Assembly this session. After signing the …

By Christine Stoddard and Daniel Lombardo Capital News Service RICHMOND – Bid farewell to tax-free buys from the world’s most popular online store. Amazon.com, the Seattle-based e-tailer of books and other products, next year will begin collecting and paying Virginia state sales tax under an agreement announced by Gov. Bob McDonnell. McDonnell made the announcement as the General Assembly gave final approval to Senate Bill 597, which expands on an existing state law requiring online businesses with facilities in Virginia to pay the state’s 5 percent sales tax. “This bill helps to ensure that …

The following list provides contact information for Loudoun's delegation to the Virginia General Assembly. House of Delegates Barbara J. Comstock (R-34)The 34th House District includes parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties. EmailDelBComstock@house.virginia.gov Richmond OfficeGeneral Assembly BuildingPO Box 406Richmond, Virginia 23218804-698-1034804-698-6734 (fax)Room 407Legislative Assistant: Elise MarshSecretary During Session: Becky Barrett District OfficePO Box 6156McLean, VA 22106703-772-7168   Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-32)The 32nd House District includes parts of Loudoun. …

By Pia Talwar Capital News Service RICHMOND – While Virginia is moving to repeal its requirement that girls get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, the federal government and a major medical association are urging just the opposite: that boys as well as girls receive the vaccine. Since 2006, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended HPV vaccinations for girls. On Feb. 1, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that boys also be routinely vaccinated against the virus, a leading cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. This follows a vote in October…

By Amir Vera Capital News Service RICHMOND—Democrats hope the U.S. Justice Department will intervene if the Republican-controlled General Assembly passes laws imposing more stringent identification requirements on Virginia voters. Two measures moving through the General Assembly—House Bill 9 and Senate Bill 1—would prohibit prospective voters from casting official ballots if they can’t show proper identification. Republicans say the bills would help prevent fraud at the polls, but Democrats say the legislation would discourage elderly, minority and low-income people from voting. Democrats …

Momentum still appears to be rolling forward for a bill that would require women to receive an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. However, yesterday, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) backed off of the part of the bill that appeared to cause the most backlash: the requirement for an invasive transvaginal ultrasound. Instead, McDonnell has asked legislators to change the bill so that it requires a transabdominal ultrasound only. The idea behind the bill partisan bill is that such an ultrasound provides a woman a better opportunity to make an informed medical decision. “No person should be directed …

The Virginia House of Delegates delayed final voting again Tuesday on the Senate-passed version of a bill that would require women to undergo a mandatory ultrasound before getting an abortion. The bill, which is expected to pass the Republican-controlled chamber, would then be sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell's desk to be signed into law. Critics of the bill say such legislation would be too invasive and may require a 'transvaginal' probe if the pregnancy is in its early stages. There are two identical versions of the bill, one in each chamber. The ultrasound bills and Manassas Sen. Bob Marshall's …

by Zack Budryk(Capital News Service) RICHMOND—More than 1,000 people turned out at the Capitol on Monday to silently protest a wave of legislation they claim undermines women’s reproductive rights. The demonstration focused largely on two measures: House Bill 1, which would give the legal status of a human being to a fertilized egg, and HB 462, which would require a trans-vaginal ultrasound before undergoing an abortion. Both bills have passed the House of Delegates and are being considered by the Senate Education and Health Committee. The bills have garnered attention of national media shows…

RICHMOND (Capital News Service)—Facing a torrent of what they call “bad bills,” Democrats in the General Assembly acknowledge that they do not have enough votes to stop socially conservative legislation on issues like abortion, gay rights, voter identification requirements and drug testing of welfare recipients. So a verbal attack is underway. House and Senate Democrats gathered Thursday to criticize the wave of “divisive social-issue legislative overreach” they say Republicans are perpetrating in Richmond. “We simply don’t have the numbers to stop misplaced priorities and leadership …

RICHMOND (Capital News Service)—Like other members of the National Guard, chaplains enter war zones and risk death on the battlefield. But at least two characteristics set these men and women apart from other members of their units. First, instead of guns, chaplains are armed largely with prayers and comforting words for their compatriots. And second, they don’t receive the tuition assistance that other members of the National Guard enjoy. That’s because, under the constitutional principle of separation of church and state, Virginia won’t pay for chaplains’ religious education. Del. Thomas “…

RICHMOND (Capital News Service)—Cathryn Tatusko’s yearly mammograms missed her cancer, which soon developed into stage three. Tatusko’s dense breast tissue had masked the large tumor on the yearly mammogram she had just five months before being diagnosed. Even a mammogram she received the day of her diagnosis failed to show the advanced-stage cancer. “I still so vividly recall the numbing fear I felt as I left my home one morning during that diagnosis week from hell, headed to the radiology facility. [I was] determined to pick up my old mammogram films to take as proof to the breast surgeon…

The Virginia House of Delegates is preparing to vote on a bill that would require public schools to allow the participation of home-schooled students before joining any organization that governs interscholastic programs. The Washington Post posted a story about the legislation — gaining attention at “the Tebow bill” after Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow— as well as a feature. Tebow was home-schooled, but participated in local high school sports, which is allowed in Florida. Three members of Loudoun's delegation to the General Assembly are on the House Education Committee that supported …

RICHMOND (Capital News Service) – The Virginia Senate has passed a bill requiring the use of ultrasound testing prior to the performance of an abortion. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Winchester) now goes to the House of Delegates. If passed – a likely prospect in the Republican-controlled House – the measure will be sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell to be signed into law. The Senate voted 21-18 in favor of Senate Bill 484 on Wednesday. The bill would require the use of ultrasound testing before an abortion. The woman would then have the option to view the sonograms before …

RICHMOND (Capital News Service) – Virginia students can learn the benefits and dangers of the Internet and other technology, and may be drawn to math and science careers, thanks to a voluntary online program being offered free to the state’s schools. “Students today have access to the tools necessary to succeed – computers, the Internet, smartphones. But do they know how to leverage technology in a responsible and safe way?” said Virginia Secretary of Education Laura Fornash. “We owe it to our children and students to teach them how to use technology responsibly.” Fornash and other officials …