By Jessica Porter
Capital News Service
RICHMOND - Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, is urging the House to pass a law to educate athletes and coaches in Virginia's public schools about the dangers of concussions and to ensure that injured student-athletes get medical attention before returning to play.
Read the whole story in the Star Tribune
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fishing bill gains traction
BY JESSICA PORTER • CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE • FEBRUARY 24, 2010
RICHMOND -- The General Assembly has unanimously passed legislation by Delegate Lynwood Lewis,D-Accomac, and Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, to prevent nonresidents from getting a commercial fishing license from Virginia if their home state doesn't reciprocate for Virginians.
House Bill 1291 and Senate Bill 192 will prohibit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission "from selling a commercial fishing license to a nonresident whose state of residence does not offer for sale the same or similar license to a resident of the Commonwealth."
Currently, fishermen from states such as Maryland and New Jersey come to Virginia to buy licenses that neither they nor Virginians can get in their home state.
"Maybe (the bill) will broaden the doors on what we're able to do. And if it doesn't broaden our doors, maybe it will stop people from taking our resources," said Ken Smith, president of the Virginia Waterman's Association.
HB 1291 passed 97-0 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate. It has been sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell for his signature.
SB 192 passed 39-0 in the Senate and 95-0 in the House but with amendments.
"It's basically a reciprocity bill," said John Bull, spokesman for the Marine Resources Commission. "If other states are not treating Virginia fisherman the same way we treat their fisherman ... the license structure will change as a result."
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
RICHMOND -- The General Assembly has unanimously passed legislation by Delegate Lynwood Lewis,D-Accomac, and Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, to prevent nonresidents from getting a commercial fishing license from Virginia if their home state doesn't reciprocate for Virginians.
House Bill 1291 and Senate Bill 192 will prohibit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission "from selling a commercial fishing license to a nonresident whose state of residence does not offer for sale the same or similar license to a resident of the Commonwealth."
Currently, fishermen from states such as Maryland and New Jersey come to Virginia to buy licenses that neither they nor Virginians can get in their home state.
"Maybe (the bill) will broaden the doors on what we're able to do. And if it doesn't broaden our doors, maybe it will stop people from taking our resources," said Ken Smith, president of the Virginia Waterman's Association.
HB 1291 passed 97-0 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate. It has been sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell for his signature.
SB 192 passed 39-0 in the Senate and 95-0 in the House but with amendments.
"It's basically a reciprocity bill," said John Bull, spokesman for the Marine Resources Commission. "If other states are not treating Virginia fisherman the same way we treat their fisherman ... the license structure will change as a result."
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Legislation seeks to help students succeed
BY JESSICA PORTER • CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE • FEBRUARY 17, 2010
RICHMOND -- Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia's public school students -- especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.
McDonnell and a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a package of school reform legislation.
"All of the initiatives in 'The Opportunity to Learn'legislative package will help our young people,regardless of where they live, gain the opportunity to go wherever their talent, dreams and hard work will take them," said McDonnell, a Republican.
"That is a worthy goal, and one that all Virginians can come together to support."
Components of the package are being sponsored by Republican Delegates Richard Bell of Staunton,Scott Lingamfelter of Woodbridge and Christopher Peace of Mechanicsville; Democratic Delegates Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg and Jennifer McClellan of Richmond; and Sen. Stephen Newman, R-Forest.
"As public servants, we must always focus on the needs of Virginia's children first. This effort recognizes that while Virginia has a strong systemof public education, we can and must do better," said Dance, who is co-sponsoring the bill to expand the state's charter schools.
Under that measure, the state Board of Education would review all applications for new charter schools in Virginia before the local school board gets a chance to review them. Also, if an application is denied, the charter school applicants
would have the right to appeal.
McDonnell said that legislation would provide guidance and consistency to the charter school application process. Virginia has only four charter schools (with a fifth scheduled to open this year in Richmond); McDonnell hopes to increase that number.
Another bill aims to expand "virtual schools" and distance-learning programs. These schools adhere to the same standards as public schools; students are taught by Virginia-certified teachers and take the state's Standards of Learning tests.
"It is critical that we provide every tool possible for local school divisions, teachers, parents and students to access information, coursework and expertise regardless of where they live," said Newman, co-sponsor of that proposal.
"It is equally important that we ensure providers of online courses and web based learning are strong, committed partners with our local school systems."
The legislative package also calls for more partnerships between higher education and K-12 schools by expanding the usage of college laboratory schools. Such programs allow students to use resources at institutions of higher education not available in a K-12 school.
That bill is being carried by Peace and McClellan.
"Led by the best and brightest minds in our university system, college lab schools will offer opportunities for all children to succeed in education regardless of whether they need remedial help or want to specialize in science, technology, engineering and math," Peace said.
The legislative package was sparked by "Race to the Top," a federal program started by President Barack Obama in November. The program will reward an undetermined number of states with grants if they:
- Enhance standards and assessments
- Improve the collection and use of data
- Increase teacher effectiveness and achieve equity in teacher distribution
- Turn around struggling schools
Virginia is eligible to receive $150 million to $250 million in grants under the program.
"With the president's 'Race to the Top' program allocating federal grant monies to states that share the administration's commitment to educational innovation,Virginia can literally not afford to stick to the status quo," McDonnell said.
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
RICHMOND -- Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia's public school students -- especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.
McDonnell and a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a package of school reform legislation.
"All of the initiatives in 'The Opportunity to Learn'legislative package will help our young people,regardless of where they live, gain the opportunity to go wherever their talent, dreams and hard work will take them," said McDonnell, a Republican.
"That is a worthy goal, and one that all Virginians can come together to support."
Components of the package are being sponsored by Republican Delegates Richard Bell of Staunton,Scott Lingamfelter of Woodbridge and Christopher Peace of Mechanicsville; Democratic Delegates Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg and Jennifer McClellan of Richmond; and Sen. Stephen Newman, R-Forest.
"As public servants, we must always focus on the needs of Virginia's children first. This effort recognizes that while Virginia has a strong systemof public education, we can and must do better," said Dance, who is co-sponsoring the bill to expand the state's charter schools.
Under that measure, the state Board of Education would review all applications for new charter schools in Virginia before the local school board gets a chance to review them. Also, if an application is denied, the charter school applicants
would have the right to appeal.
McDonnell said that legislation would provide guidance and consistency to the charter school application process. Virginia has only four charter schools (with a fifth scheduled to open this year in Richmond); McDonnell hopes to increase that number.
Another bill aims to expand "virtual schools" and distance-learning programs. These schools adhere to the same standards as public schools; students are taught by Virginia-certified teachers and take the state's Standards of Learning tests.
"It is critical that we provide every tool possible for local school divisions, teachers, parents and students to access information, coursework and expertise regardless of where they live," said Newman, co-sponsor of that proposal.
"It is equally important that we ensure providers of online courses and web based learning are strong, committed partners with our local school systems."
The legislative package also calls for more partnerships between higher education and K-12 schools by expanding the usage of college laboratory schools. Such programs allow students to use resources at institutions of higher education not available in a K-12 school.
That bill is being carried by Peace and McClellan.
"Led by the best and brightest minds in our university system, college lab schools will offer opportunities for all children to succeed in education regardless of whether they need remedial help or want to specialize in science, technology, engineering and math," Peace said.
The legislative package was sparked by "Race to the Top," a federal program started by President Barack Obama in November. The program will reward an undetermined number of states with grants if they:
- Enhance standards and assessments
- Improve the collection and use of data
- Increase teacher effectiveness and achieve equity in teacher distribution
- Turn around struggling schools
Virginia is eligible to receive $150 million to $250 million in grants under the program.
"With the president's 'Race to the Top' program allocating federal grant monies to states that share the administration's commitment to educational innovation,Virginia can literally not afford to stick to the status quo," McDonnell said.
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
Delegate hopes to repeal same-sex marriage ban
By Jessica Porter
Capital News Service
RICHMOND - Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria, wants Virginia to repeal its constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
He says the amendment, which voters approved four years ago, is unfair to gay and lesbian couples. So he's trying for the third time to repeal it.
Read the whole story in the San Diego Ranch Coast News
Capital News Service
RICHMOND - Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria, wants Virginia to repeal its constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
He says the amendment, which voters approved four years ago, is unfair to gay and lesbian couples. So he's trying for the third time to repeal it.
Read the whole story in the San Diego Ranch Coast News
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Buddhism: Growing With Time
By Jessica Porter
With actors like Richard Gere and Orlando Bloom converting to Buddhism, the religion is becoming more main stream in American Culture. Considering many people in the United States grew up Christian, this new wave of Buddhism is taking many by surprise.
Read the whole story in Ground Report
With actors like Richard Gere and Orlando Bloom converting to Buddhism, the religion is becoming more main stream in American Culture. Considering many people in the United States grew up Christian, this new wave of Buddhism is taking many by surprise.
Read the whole story in Ground Report
Buddhism is an Eastern Way of Life Appealing to Westerners
By Jessica Porter
Scarlett Sams works in a Presbyterian Church during the day, but on Thursday nights she attends a meeting of Tibetan Buddhist’s at Ekoji Buddhist Sangha in Richmond, Va. She is a part of a growing Buddhist movement in the United States of every day Americans finding comfort in this Eastern tradition.
Read the whole story in Ground Report
Scarlett Sams works in a Presbyterian Church during the day, but on Thursday nights she attends a meeting of Tibetan Buddhist’s at Ekoji Buddhist Sangha in Richmond, Va. She is a part of a growing Buddhist movement in the United States of every day Americans finding comfort in this Eastern tradition.
Read the whole story in Ground Report
Bill Provides Fairness for Va. Fishermen
By Jessica Porter
Capital News Service
RICHMOND -- At the urging of legislators representing the Eastern Shore, the General Assembly seems likely to approve a law to ensure fair fishing rights for Virginia's commercial fishermen.
The Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk. And the House is considering final approval of the almost identical House Bill 1291, sponsored by Delegate Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomac.
The bills would address inequities in fishing rights along the East Coast.
In some states, fishermen cannot buy a license for certain types of commercial fishing, so they purchase it in Virginia, where it isn’t restricted.
The problem is that Virginians cannot use resources in the states those fishermen come from, because the license does not exist or because the state has a much higher non-resident license fee than Virginia.
“It’s a fairness bill. We want Virginia’s commercial fishermen to be treated the way we treat other state’s fishermen,” said John Bull, spokesman for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
For example, the sale of commercial gillnet licenses is closed in New Jersey, so many New Jersey fishermen come to Virginia to buy licenses, Bull said. However, Virginians cannot do the same in New Jersey.
Similarly, when Maryland fishermen cannot get licenses to crab dredge, they can cross the state line to Virginia, where crab dredging licenses soon will be available. Also, Maryland charges non-residents much more for licenses than Virginia does, Bull said.
SB 192 and HB 1291 states that “No commercial fishing license shall be sold to a non-resident whose state of residence does not offer for sale the same or substantially similar license to a resident of the Commonwealth.”
Ken Smith, president of the Virginia Waterman’s Association, said fisherman support the proposal.
“Maybe it will broaden the doors on what we’re able to do,” he said. “And if it doesn’t broaden our doors, maybe it will stop people from taking our resources. People come to our waters and catch our fish but they take them back to their state and sell them.”
Read the whole story at www.WTOP.com
Capital News Service
RICHMOND -- At the urging of legislators representing the Eastern Shore, the General Assembly seems likely to approve a law to ensure fair fishing rights for Virginia's commercial fishermen.
The Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk. And the House is considering final approval of the almost identical House Bill 1291, sponsored by Delegate Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomac.
The bills would address inequities in fishing rights along the East Coast.
In some states, fishermen cannot buy a license for certain types of commercial fishing, so they purchase it in Virginia, where it isn’t restricted.
The problem is that Virginians cannot use resources in the states those fishermen come from, because the license does not exist or because the state has a much higher non-resident license fee than Virginia.
“It’s a fairness bill. We want Virginia’s commercial fishermen to be treated the way we treat other state’s fishermen,” said John Bull, spokesman for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
For example, the sale of commercial gillnet licenses is closed in New Jersey, so many New Jersey fishermen come to Virginia to buy licenses, Bull said. However, Virginians cannot do the same in New Jersey.
Similarly, when Maryland fishermen cannot get licenses to crab dredge, they can cross the state line to Virginia, where crab dredging licenses soon will be available. Also, Maryland charges non-residents much more for licenses than Virginia does, Bull said.
SB 192 and HB 1291 states that “No commercial fishing license shall be sold to a non-resident whose state of residence does not offer for sale the same or substantially similar license to a resident of the Commonwealth.”
Ken Smith, president of the Virginia Waterman’s Association, said fisherman support the proposal.
“Maybe it will broaden the doors on what we’re able to do,” he said. “And if it doesn’t broaden our doors, maybe it will stop people from taking our resources. People come to our waters and catch our fish but they take them back to their state and sell them.”
Read the whole story at www.WTOP.com
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Lewis, Northam begin session
BY JESSICA PORTER • CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE • JANUARY 20, 2010
RICHMOND -- Sen. Ralph Northam and Delegate Lynwood Lewis, the state legislators who represent the Eastern Shore, say they will try to protect public services while the General Assembly makes billion-dollar budget cuts during its 2010 session.
Virginia state government already has cut about $7 billion. This session, lawmakers must close an additional budget shortfall of $4 billion. Minimizing the harm of budget cuts will be first and foremost on legislators' minds, Lewis said.
"We've made so many cuts as far as state employees cutting back on services for education,health care, law enforcement and others. We're making even tougher choices; it hasn't really been determined yet," said Matt Strickler, Northam's
legislative assistant.
Northam, a Democrat from Norfolk, represents Senate District 6, which includes both Accomack and Northampton counties.
Lewis, a Democrat from Accomac, represents House District 100. He said he will try to get relief for volunteer fire and rescue companies to help them raise money. He also wants to recalculate how Virginia distributes money for 911 services.
Northam will try to protect law enforcement and health care.
"As a doctor himself, he sees firsthand the difficulties of not only hospitals and doctors, but also the trouble low-income folks have now. Those are the kind of things they want to watch out for and make sure the services are protected," Strickler said.
Environmental protection also is on the agenda for both lawmakers.
Northam hopes to keep the Atlantic's menhaden fishery managed and sustainable because it is a critically important part of the Chesapeake Bay, Strickler said. Lewis will call for a study of the Eastern Shore's seaside to determine its best productivity and use.
Both legislators also have plans to strengthen the local economy. Lewis will try to expand the nutrient trading program to be better used by Eastern Shore companies. That program works this way:
"If an entity or company has sewage treatment discharge into the bay and are exceeding the guidelines, they can purchase credits from entities that are below their requirements," Lewis said. Since the Eastern Shore is sparsely populated, there is limited opportunity for the area to participate in the program. He will push to expand that opportunity so local companies can buy from other locations.
Northam is pushing to extend a state law regarding liability and immunity for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility. As of now, the law is set to expire in mid-2013; that would make it hard for the Wallops facility to compete with programs elsewhere -- and this would hurt the economy on the Eastern
Shore, Strickler said.
He said Northam also wants to address Virginia's transportation problems.
"We have a transportation crisis in Virginia, and we have had to cut back a lot of transportation funding, so coming up with a way to finance transportation will be a big issue," Strickler said. However, Northam will not introduce his own transportation bill.
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
RICHMOND -- Sen. Ralph Northam and Delegate Lynwood Lewis, the state legislators who represent the Eastern Shore, say they will try to protect public services while the General Assembly makes billion-dollar budget cuts during its 2010 session.
Virginia state government already has cut about $7 billion. This session, lawmakers must close an additional budget shortfall of $4 billion. Minimizing the harm of budget cuts will be first and foremost on legislators' minds, Lewis said.
"We've made so many cuts as far as state employees cutting back on services for education,health care, law enforcement and others. We're making even tougher choices; it hasn't really been determined yet," said Matt Strickler, Northam's
legislative assistant.
Northam, a Democrat from Norfolk, represents Senate District 6, which includes both Accomack and Northampton counties.
Lewis, a Democrat from Accomac, represents House District 100. He said he will try to get relief for volunteer fire and rescue companies to help them raise money. He also wants to recalculate how Virginia distributes money for 911 services.
Northam will try to protect law enforcement and health care.
"As a doctor himself, he sees firsthand the difficulties of not only hospitals and doctors, but also the trouble low-income folks have now. Those are the kind of things they want to watch out for and make sure the services are protected," Strickler said.
Environmental protection also is on the agenda for both lawmakers.
Northam hopes to keep the Atlantic's menhaden fishery managed and sustainable because it is a critically important part of the Chesapeake Bay, Strickler said. Lewis will call for a study of the Eastern Shore's seaside to determine its best productivity and use.
Both legislators also have plans to strengthen the local economy. Lewis will try to expand the nutrient trading program to be better used by Eastern Shore companies. That program works this way:
"If an entity or company has sewage treatment discharge into the bay and are exceeding the guidelines, they can purchase credits from entities that are below their requirements," Lewis said. Since the Eastern Shore is sparsely populated, there is limited opportunity for the area to participate in the program. He will push to expand that opportunity so local companies can buy from other locations.
Northam is pushing to extend a state law regarding liability and immunity for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility. As of now, the law is set to expire in mid-2013; that would make it hard for the Wallops facility to compete with programs elsewhere -- and this would hurt the economy on the Eastern
Shore, Strickler said.
He said Northam also wants to address Virginia's transportation problems.
"We have a transportation crisis in Virginia, and we have had to cut back a lot of transportation funding, so coming up with a way to finance transportation will be a big issue," Strickler said. However, Northam will not introduce his own transportation bill.
Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News
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