AP
HARRISBURG, Va. (AP) _ A recent study shows the poultry industry is a big contributor to Virginia’s economy. The study by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates found that the industry contributed $13.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2014. The study says more than 52,000 jobs are linked to poultry, including more than 15,000 jobs in the industry and more than 24,000 supplier jobs. Wages connected to the industry totaled $2.8 billion in 2014. Virginia Poultry Federation president Hobey Bauhan tells the Daily News-Record that poultry’s economic impact extends to livelihoods in various service and product industries. John Dunham & Associates conducted the study for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Senate has narrowly defeated a proposed private-school voucher program for disabled students. The measure would have allowed parents of a disabled child to apply for the child’s share of state funds that would otherwise go to his or her local public school system. The money could be used for tuition, fees and books at a private school. The bill, sponsored by Del. Dave LaRock, a Loudoun County Republican, was passed by the House of Delegates 57-42 earlier this month. The measure was defeated Wednesday in the Senate when Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, voted “no” to break an 18-18 tie. Two Republican senators, Ben Chafin of Russell County and John Watkins of Powhatan County, did not vote. Republican Majority Leader Tommy Norment of James City County abstained.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ There’s more than one way to kill legislation in the Virginia General Assembly. There’s the straight-up way: Put it up for a vote and lawmakers must go on record, pro or con. Then there’s the stealthy way: Kill it in a subcommittee without a recorded vote, and it vanishes without a trace. It’s a longstanding practice in Virginia’s 400-year-old legislature. But transparency advocates say the public deserves better. A new broad-based coalition of 22 advocacy organizations says the system is undemocratic and should be changed. Transparency Virginia includes the League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club and the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. Throughout the 2015 legislative session, the group has been documenting instances of unrecorded votes, bills killed with no hearings, and failure to provide timely notice of meetings.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ A local media report says Charlottesville Police are investigating a possible sexual assault against a female University of Virginia student. The Charlottesville Daily Progress ( http://bit.ly/1JOt7zI ) cited a university statement emailed to students, staff and faculty Wednesday as stating the woman was found unconscious in an apartment in that city Sunday evening and taken to the university’s medical center. According to the paper, the statement added the student later had no memory of hours spent with a male acquaintance she met online who had served her alcohol. The woman’s condition wasn’t immediately reported. A Charlottesville Police spokesman didn’t immediately return an Associated Press message seeking details. The paper says the university spokesman, Anthony de Bruyn, had no comment Wednesday night.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is touting his record to Virginia Republicans as someone who favors low taxes and a more aggressive foreign policy. Perry told the Republican Party of Virginia on Tuesday evening that his policies in Texas have helped create jobs and tighten border security. The potential 2016 presidential candidate headlined a fundraiser for the party in Richmond. He is one of several potential GOP presidential candidates who are making a point to visit the swing state. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush headlined a Richmond fundraiser last week and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is set to attend a meet-and-greet with GOP donors hosted by former U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Richmond on Thursday.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Senate has narrowly defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to suspend or nullify administrative regulations. The measure was proposed by Del. Chris Head, a Botetourt County Republican, as an antidote to executive overreach. It was passed 61-32 by the Republican-dominated House of Delegates earlier this month. Sen. John Edwards, a Roanoke Democrat, called the measure an unprecedented legislative power grab that would have dramatically altered the balance of power with the executive branch. One Republican, Sen. John Watkins of Powhatan County, joined the Senate’s minority Democrats in voting against the measure Tuesday. The vote was 20-19, one short of the 21 votes needed to begin the process of amending the state Constitution.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Cyber Security Commission has scheduled a series of “town halls” around the state to explain its work and to hear from the public. The commission held its first meeting Tuesday at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Four more meetings are scheduled through June. Each meeting will feature speakers and panel presentations, as well as the opportunity for question-and-answer sessions with commission members. The discussions will cover federal and state programs, cyber education and cybercrime. The dates and locations of future meetings are: March 23, New College, Martinsville, April 24, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, May 19, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, June 9, Norfolk State University.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia House of Delegates has defeated legislation aimed at facilitating executions by lethal injection. The measure had been requested by the administration of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe. It would have allowed the state to enter into contracts with compounding pharmacies to acquire the three-drug combination used in the process. Supporters of the bill said it’s necessary because the state is running out of the drugs and their European manufacturers are refusing to allow them to be used in executions. Most controversial was a provision allowing the state to keep secret the identities of those who manufacture and supply the drugs and the names of the components used in the compounding process. The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month, was rejected Tuesday by a bipartisan House majority, 56-42.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Gov. Terry McAuliffe has signed a bill that allows Virginia’s two largest electric utilities to bypass regular base rate reviews for several years. The governor signed the bill Tuesday saying it would be a “net positive” for Virginia. McAuliffe also signed an executive order directing various state agencies to ensure the implementation of parts of the new law aimed at increasing solar energy production and providing aid to low-income electric users. The legislation was largely crafted by Dominion Virginia Power, the state’s largest electric utility. The company said the new law will benefit customers by freezing base rates in place and preventing large rate hikes associated with proposed federal environmental laws or natural disasters. Opponents said the new law will allow Dominion and Appalachian Power to lock in higher-than-necessary rates.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia’s public institutions of higher education and economic development officials are teaming up to meet the business needs of employers and deliver the jobs graduates seek. The partnership was announced on Monday by Gov. Terry McAuliffe. He said College and university leaders signed an agreement to carry out the mission of creating a new Virginia economy. The agreement is with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Center for Innovative Technology. The partnership has several elements. They include increased connectivity between higher education and business interests. The governor’s office says the agreement builds on a prior partnership signed in 2012. The new agreement places greater emphasis on working together on economic development issues.