State and National Government

The partial federal government shutdown is three weeks old as of tomorrow, with little sign of any immediate end. Virginia’s elected representatives remain very much divided on how to proceed from here. Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine say many groups suffer as a result — like farmers. But Republicans like Congressman Ben Cline say President Trump is doing the right thing by standing up to address border security. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam and several Republican lawmakers are tentatively backing a plan to add tolls to I-81 in western Virginia that could cost as much as $50 for trucks and $25 for cars to use the entire 325-mile highway. Northam and lawmakers said at a Tuesday news conference that the interstate is in critical need of about $2 billion in upgrades to improve safety and traffic flow. They said they support a plan advanced by the Commonwealth Transportation Board to add tolls and would allow commuters to buy an annual pass, projected to be about $30. Northam and lawmakers said they were open to discussing other funding options, like tax increases. But they said they wanted to finalize a funding source during this year’s legislative session.

Photo: House Speaker Kirk Cox Twitter

New 8th district Republican delegate Joe McNamara isn’t wasting any time. Before he even sits in on his first General Assembly session tomorrow, the former Roanoke County supervisor has introduced a bill – “HB 1980” – which would better align Virginia tax laws with changes enacted at the federal level last year. McNamara says his bill would make the tax code alignment revenue-neutral. He succeeds Greg Habeeb, who retired before his term was up this fall. McNamara also says he plans to run for reelection.

Gov. Ralph Northam

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wants to make it easier to vote early and harder for political candidates to bring in big checks.  The Democratic governor outlined a package of proposed legislation Monday that includes a bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting. Virginia currently limits absentee voting to people with qualifying reasons. The governor is also proposing new campaign finance limits that would cap donations at $10,000, block direct donations from corporations, and prohibit lawmakers from the personal use of campaign funds. Northam said the proposals would boost public confidence in politics but added that his political action committee will continue to accept large corporate donations until the laws are changed. The GOP-controlled General Assembly has defeated similar proposals in past years. This year’s legislative session starts Wednesday.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner recently made an appearance on TV in Canada to warn that allowing certain Chinese companies to sell products there could be a security threat here in the United States. WFIR’s Ian Price has details:

The letter Warner references in this story was co-written with Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.