Author: Potomac Local News

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly was joined by more than 100 members of Congress in calling on Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to maintain robust mail service, including 6 day delivery and rural post offices, and develop a transformational 21st Century business model for the USPS. Republican Don Young of Alaska joined Connolly in circulating the letter.

“Legislation proposed in Congress, specifically H.R. 2309, presents a false choice to the American public,” said Connolly. “Giving up six day mail service, closing rural post offices, and ending next day mail service will forfeit USPS’ competitive advantage, and would accelerate the decline of the Postal Service.”

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – After a full month of discussion, the Virginia General Assembly met in special session at the Virginia state capitol on Tuesday to continue work on the two-year, $85 billion Virginia biennial budget that runs from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. The budget, contained in House Bill (HB) 1301, passed the Senate of Virginia on Monday by a vote of 35-4, with Senate amendments attached. The bill was then considered on Tuesday by the Virginia House of Delegates, which rejected the Senate amendments by a vote of 23-69.

The move was expected by both houses as a parliamentary mechanism to refer HB 1301 to a joint House-Senate Conference Committee, where differences would be ironed out through a process of negotiated compromise. After the conference committee reports a compromise bill to the House and Senate, each body will take final action that will produce an agreed-upon budget that will go to Gov. Bob McDonnell for signature.

By Brian Hill
Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia teachers and firefighters are urging Gov. Bob McDonnell to veto legislation overhauling the retirement plan for the state’s public employees.