Showing posts with label Bob McDonnell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bob McDonnell. Show all posts

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Governor McAuliffe’s Statement on Senator John Watkins Retirement

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement following Senator John Watkins retirement:

“For more than 30 years, John Watkins has dedicated his life to serving the people of the Commonwealth. In both the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, he has been a leader for legislation that has improved transportation, focused on business development, and fought to make Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I appreciate John’s willingness to work with me to try and find a way to provide health care for 400,000 Virginians. He has a strong record of putting policy above politics, and it has been an honor for me to work with him. John has been a champion for all Virginians.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Governor’s Commission of Integrity and Public Confidence to Convene. (Not much left)

Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Commission on Integrity and Public Confidence in State Government will convene its second meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 14 in Senate Room 3 in the Capitol of Virginia.

Commission members will complete their work on proposals for strengthening rules for the ethical conduct of state officials. Governor McAuliffe has asked for interim recommendations byDecember 1 on ethics oversight and enforcement, limits on gifts and loans, rules on conflicts of interest, disclosure requirements and post-public service restrictions. The commission also will continue its discussion on redistricting reforms.

Former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher and former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, co-chairmen of the commission, encouraged Virginians to submit their comments and ideas for the panel’s consideration. The commission is seeking public input on its website, governor.virginia.gov/integrity-commission and via email sent to integrity@governor.virginia.gov.

A public forum on November 6 at the University of Virginia School of Law attracted speakers from Norfolk, Roanoke and Loudoun County as well as participants from Charlottesville and the surrounding region.

The Commission was established on September 25 by Executive Order 28, which instructed the 10 members to provide interim recommendations to the Governor by December 1, 2014 with the goal of pursuing legislation during the Virginia General Assembly’s 2015 session.

The other members of the commission are former Delegate Viola Baskerville, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Sharon Bulova, former President of the University of Virginia John T. Casteen III, President of Hampden-Sydney College Christopher Howard, Vice President for Advancement at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Susan A. Magill, attorney and former Assistant Attorney General Courtney M. Malveaux, former Delegate Joe T. May and former President and CEO of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. John Sherman, Jr.

From a recent state legal document:

"Americans are not ruled by monarchies and dynasties, nor owe allegiance to a self-appointed few.  We are governed by ourselves.  We are a representative democracy, which entitles us to liberty, equality, free speech, a free press, protection of private property, privacy, and other inalienable rights.  American self-government began in Virginia, and it continues to thrive at the Capital today."

Now the question is, does anyone actually see the above statement in play in this state under governor Terry McAuliffe's direction?  What we have seen are extreme abuse of power by this governor in our opinion.  This guy has refused to uphold the state constitution and it looks like he is selling out every facet of the state to the highest bidders at every level and even using your tax dollars to fund massive corporate welfare programs all the while destroying small businesses.  

He is also working hard, in our opinion, at destroying property rights and personal liberties.  So do we see any integrity or have any confidence?  No!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Statement on Verdict in McDonnell Case

McAuliffe speaking at Frying Pan Park in Hernd...
. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement following the verdict in the public corruption case against former Governor Bob McDonnell and former First Lady Maureen McDonnell:

“I am deeply saddened by the events of the trial that ended in today’s verdict, and the impact it has had on our Commonwealth’s reputation for honesty and clean government.

“Dorothy and I will continue to pray for the McDonnell family and for everyone who was affected by this trial.” 




Friday, June 6, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

Downtown RichmondDowntown Richmond (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.


Secretariat of Commerce and Trade

Meggie Lareau, Special Assistant
Meggie Lareau interned in Scheduling & Advance in the Governor’s office this past spring and was a part of the Governor-elect transition team beforehand. She also was deputy campus organizer for the McAuliffe campaign at the University of Richmond during her senior fall semester. She just graduated with a B.A. from the University of Richmond this May. She majored in International Studies concentration in Modern Europe and minored in Latin and Iberian Studies and History.


Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Agriculture and Forestry

Virginia Beef Industry Board
  • Marnie Potter Caldwell of Lexington, Field Representative, Rockbridge Farmers Cooperative
  • George L. Jones of Brookneal, Beef Cattle Farm Manager, End of the Road Farms
  • Mark A. Sowers of Floyd, Partner, Huckleberry Dairy

Virginia Pork Industry Board
  • J. Nelson Link* of Alton, Owner, Link Farms Incorporated
  • The Honorable Frank W. Nolen of Grottoes, former member of the Senate of Virginia and Owner, Grazelen Farm
  • T. Sean O’Hara* of Richmond, Financial Institution Liaison, The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Commerce and Trade

Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board
·       R. Thomas “Tom” Asbury of Wise, Safety Manager,  Alpha Natural Resources
·       Mike Kennedy of St. Paul, United Mine Workers of America (State of Virginia)
·       The Honorable Joseph Tate of Clintwood, Retired Circuit Court Clerk, Dickenson County

Virginia Gas and Oil Board
  • William S. Harris* of Big Stone Gap, Retired
  • Bruce A. Prather* of Abingdon, Consulting Geologist, Olin and Muriel Prather Charitable Foundation
  • Donald L. Ratliff* of Big Stone Gap, Vice President of State Governmental Affairs, Alpha Natural Resources, LLC
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Governor McAuliffe continues to push for a better transportation system and a stronger Virginia economy

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / ...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Good Morning,
I wanted to make sure you saw the Virginian-Pilot editorial and Daily Press article below highlighting the Governor’s continued efforts to improve Virginia’s transportation system and grow our economy.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe's decision last week to reshape the Virginia Port Authority's board marks the latest effort to correct the bustling port's financial condition and stabilize an economic juggernaut rocked by turmoil in recent years.
By replacing five of the board's 11 appointed members, including the board's chairman and vice chairman, McAuliffe has implemented significant change. The scope of that change, however, is designed to inflict less disruption than the 2011 overhaul by his predecessor, Bob McDonnell.
McDonnell replaced 10 of 11 members that year, an unprecedented move among a series of abrupt changes during his term that hindered the port's finances and operations. The former governor's inability to articulate a clear vision for the port, and stick to it, injected uncertainty that adversely affected business.
In a span of three years, his administration negotiated a 20-year lease of APM's sophisticated terminal in Portsmouth, sought to purchase the terminal outright, then entertained bids for companies to operate state-owned terminals in Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News.
The privatization plan collapsed last year, after the port authority board rejected the offers and stuck with Virginia International Terminals Inc., the quasi-public organization that built the port into the third-busiest on the East Coast.
The tumult of the past few years at the port, however, provides no excuse for the continuing financial losses posted by the port. McAuliffe has pointed out the losses were greater than previously disclosed, and he has leaned heavily on the port authority's leadership, including new Executive Director John Reinhart, to improve its fiscal condition.
Reinhart has helped shepherd some organizational changes that should slow the losses, but more work will be needed to help the port realize the profits that ought to come with the recent record cargo volume.
The newly appointed members to the port authority's board include names recognizable across Hampton Roads and Virginia: G. Robert Aston Jr., CEO of Suffolk-based TowneBank; former state Del. Alan Diamonstein; Gary McCollum, Cox Communications senior vice president; John Milliken, chairman of the port authority's board until 2011; and Val McWhorter, a Northern Virginia attorney.
Their breadth of experience and knowledge should help to provide effective oversight of a hub that supports more than 340,000 jobs and brings in $40 billion-plus in revenue to public coffers each year.


By Cathy Grimes – The Daily Press
On Tuesday Jim Utterback, Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads District director, and consultant project manager Steven Chapin briefed James City County supervisors on the state of the $144 million Interstate 64 widening project at their monthly meeting.
With both Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne pushing the effort to alleviate congested traffic in Hampton Roads, the project is gathering steam.
It will widen I-64 to six lanes from the Jefferson Avenue exit to just south of the Lee Hall exit, roughly 5.5 miles. The new 12-foot lanes will be added inside the existing east and westbound lanes, and the agency will widen six bridges along the route.
Utterback said the department issued a request for qualifications and has had five bidders respond. He told the James City supervisors the department hopes to issue request for proposals this summer "with the goal of awarding the contract this December."
VDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Gwaltney said construction may begin in early 2015. VDOT officials estimate the project will be complete in Winter 2018.
During the presentation, Chapin said the agency is fast-tracking the project to "provide as much congestion relief as possible as quick as possible."
He noted the Federal Highway Administration issued its record of decision on the project on Monday, and VDOT will hold a design public hearing on April 30 at Woodside High School in Newport News. The three-hour event begins at 4 p.m.
Gwaltney said the hearing gives community residents a chance "to review the project exhibits on display and to provide comments and/or suggestions on the proposed project."
The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization board ranked the widening effort first on its list of projects on which to use new regional transportation revenue made possible by the 2013 transportation law. The money comes from regional sales and gas taxes. The HRTPO voted to use $44 million of the new funds to extend the widening project to Lee Hall from its original termination point of Fort Eustis Boulevard. State and federal funds also are part of the mix.
Utterback said the extension will ease problems when the interstate narrows back to four lanes as opposed to doing so near the Fort Eustis Boulevard exit.
Chapin said the project will affect property owned by Newport News and will require about 15 acres for stormwater management. Additionally VDOT may install sound barriers along some sections of the road.
Local officials have expressed some concerns about proposed landscape designs for the widened interstate. Chapin said the median currently in place ranges between 64 feet to 88 feet wide. VDOT plans to use three landscape techniques on medians after widening: a mix of shrubs and trees with concrete barriers on two stretches, grass with no barriers on one wide section south of the Fort Eustis Boulevard exits and double guardrail barriers on most of the rest of the road.
Newport News officials had expressed concern about the proposals when VDOT met with them at a recent City Council Work Session.
"This is our gateway into the city and it's really important we show off," said City Manager Jim Bourey. "It makes a huge difference if we have landscaping."
At the James City County Board meeting, Supervisor John McGlennon echoed Bourey's words, saying it was important to have "an attractive entryway" to the county from the south.
Utterback said VDOT is looking at other interstates and considering possible low-maintenance landscape treatments to improve the appearance of the medians.
"We're still early on," Utterback said.
VDOT spokesman Ron Watrous said the agency will work closely with the localities "to deliver a project that meets regional travel needs and inspires a sense of pride in Hampton Roads communities."
The widening project is the first of three segments that eventually will widen I-64 to Exit 234 north of Williamsburg. VDOT officials estimate the entire project will cost is $583 million.
Grimes can be reached by phone at 757-247-4758. Daily Press reporter Michael W. Shapiro contributed to this story.
Interstate-64 widening public hearing
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30
Where: Woodside High School, 13450 Woodside Lane, Newport News
What: VDOT officials will present an update on the project and potential designs for landscaping and bridge widening.
There will be time for questions and answers, and officials will be available to discuss the project.
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Governor McAuliffe Marks 100 Days of His Administration, Launches 100Days.Virginia.gov

Terry McAuliffe - Caricature
Terry McAuliffe - Caricature (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)
Governor McAuliffe today marked his administration’s hundredth day and launched100Days.Virginia.gov, a website highlighting key accomplishments his administration has made so far in critical areas such as economic development, transportation, and education.

“Since my first day in office, I, along with members of my administration, have worked hard to find mainstream, common-sense solutions to problems and create a stronger and more economically competitive Commonwealth,” stated Governor McAuliffe.  “We have already made significant progress in investing our transportation dollars wisely, creating more jobs in every region of the Commonwealth, and preparing our workforce for a 21st Century economy. I am proud of the accomplishments my administration has made, and I am confident that we will continue to put people above politics to build a stronger economic foundation for the next generation of Virginians.”

For an overview on the progress made during the McAuliffe Administration’s first 100 days in office, visit 100Days.Virginia.gov or Governor McAuliffe's 100 Days Report.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Environmental Excellence Award Winners

Official seal of City of Newport News
Official seal of City of Newport News (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND, VA. – Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the winners of the 2014 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, which were presented at the Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. 

The awards recognize significant environmental contributions in two categories: sustainability and land conservation. They are given to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies.

“These award winners demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the environment for the benefit of all Virginians,” Governor McAuliffe said. “This recognition is well-deserved, and I look forward to ongoing improvements from these winners and other environmental and conservation leaders.” 

The Gold Medal winners are:

·       City of Newport News for its comprehensive sustainability program, a product of citizen input and local government leadership, which maps out a long-term strategic approach to becoming a greener community.
·       Elizabeth River Project for its Dominion Virginia Power Learning Barge, a mobile environmental education center known as the world’s first floating wetlands classroom and America’s “Greenest Vessel” designed to offer a closer look at the challenges facing the watershed.
·       Luck Companies for their commitment to sustainability across all business units, resulting in significant improvements in water conservation, land preservation, waste generation and energy savings.
·       Locust Grove Farm Conservation Easement, which protects more than 16,500 linear feet of forested and vegetated buffers on the Mattaponi River in King and Queen County on property that has been owned by the same family for about 350 years.

Award winners were chosen based on criteria including environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability and innovativeness.

The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Additional information on the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards is available on the DEQ website at:

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