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.
