Category: Municipal & Government
By Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
Virginia Beach residents, at least those who own property, can sleep easier knowing the tax bills on their homes have increased at a lower rate than those of other cities.
Would you want to live in Portsmouth where the average real estate tax bill for a resident rose 7.3 percent from fiscal years 2004 to 2011?
That's the highest increase of seven cities analyzed, according to a report by the city of Virginia Beach.
The Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education, or Virginia Free, has evaluated Virginia lawmakers for their views on business issues. Jeffrey McWaters and Frank Wagner earned the highest marks.
Editor's note: On Monday, May 24, Adams Outdoor Advertising requested to delay its request, according to a report in The Virginian-Pilot. The company asked for the delay because it said a number of supporters could not be present. No date was given for when the request might be made again.
By Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
Virginia Beach City Council is faced with a momentous decision: Vote down the emergence of electronic billboards or approve an ordinance that would allow them to be ubiquitous, but subjugated to tight standards.
BY BILL CRESENZO
bill.cresenzo@insidebiz.com
Newport News' newly elected mayor says that while the city needs to aggressively recruit new large industries to the area, it also needs to pay special attention to small business, what he called the "backbone" of the city's economy.
McKinley Price defeated City Councilwoman Pat Woodbury to capture the seat. Price received 12,539 votes to Woodbury's 8,596. Price replaces Joe Frank, who served as mayor for 14 years.
By Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
Virginia's business lobby has prevailed again.
A bill by state Sen. John Watkins, R-Midlothian, to extend unemployment benefits for people in job training and who had to leave a job for compelling family reasons was axed in subcommittee.
The vote was six to five opposing the measure. The legislation would have mirrored a federal measure that lawmakers shot down last year.
by Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
To pay for a 1 percent increase in the income tax that goes toward the $950 million a year the state gives localities to compensate for the loss of car tax revenue, Tim Kaine offered a bit of financial legerdemain to get General Assembly approval.
The outgoing governor wants localities to pay for the salaries and benefits of the staff of the constitutional officers - the commissioner of the revenue and the city treasurer.
By Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
The city of Virginia Beach is projecting a $49 million shortfall in revenues next fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2010.
City officials have begun the budget process already in an effort to balance next year's budget. This fiscal year's budget totaled $1.8 billion.
City Manager Jim Spore has asked city departments, except for public safety departments, to cut their budgets by 15 percent.
