Virginia

Calls for June 23rd special session to address transportation

May 12, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today released details of his transportation plan and called for a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation on June 23.

Virginia traffic: Photo by Steve Fernie (CC)

The Governor’s plan fills our growing road and bridge maintenance deficit to promote safety, provides relief for regional transportation needs, and invests in innovative approaches to Virginia’s transportation challenges. The plan raises over $1 billion annually by fiscal year 2012 and contains no gas tax increase.    » read more »

05/05/2008 - The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Wounded Veterans Internship Program was launched in September 2006. It is designed for veterans who find they are not suited physically or emotionally to a former job, or because the job is no longer available.

The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Wounded Veterans Internship Program was launched in September 2006. The first veterans joined the agency in March of the following year.

The program is designed for veterans who find they are not suited physically or emotionally to a former job, or because the job is no longer available.    » read more »

April 25, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, 19, of Sag Harbor, New York

Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, 21, of Burkeville, Virginia

Both Marines died April 22 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Haerter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Yale was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 23, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today regarding Virginia’s efforts to assist in the rebuilding of the Blue Crab population in the Chesapeake Bay:

“I want to thank Governor Kaine and his staff for their leadership and partnership with Maryland on their historic efforts to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery.”

Maryland Blue Crabs: Photo by Robert Fornal (CC)    » read more »

Legislation Based on Recommendations of Virginia Tech Review Panel

April 15, 2008 -- Washington, DC - Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would clarify how and when educational institutions can share students’ treatment records when a student poses a threat to himself or others.

The legislation comes on the heels of two reports, commissioned in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and President Bush. The reports found that confusion among school officials, administrators and institutions in interpreting federal education privacy law is often a barrier to taking proactive campus safety measures.    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Tomorrow, April 16, 2008, marks the first anniversary of the horrific incident at Virginia Tech that resulted in the tragic deaths of 32 students and faculty members, and serious injuries to many other innocent victims. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as they mourn their loved ones who tragically lost their lives before their time.

Virginia Tech candlelight vigil, April 17, 2007: Photo by Ashley Dinges (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- April 16, 2007, brought the deadliest day of violence on a college campus in our Nation's history. The horrific crimes committed at Virginia Tech filled our souls with sadness. One year later, we remember the victims murdered and wounded that day.

We join our fellow Americans in praying for the families and friends whose hearts ache for their lost loved ones. We continue to be amazed by the extraordinary Hokie spirit and inspired by the survivors of this tragedy. Students, teachers, and alumni have overcome evil with good by supporting each other with love and compassion. We are humbled by their resilience and confident in the University's bright future.

We pray that God will continue to comfort and heal the people of the Virginia Tech community.    » read more »

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine is calling for a day of remembrance today, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, to honor those lost one year ago at Virginia Tech. He will order state flags flown at half-staff for the day and asks for a statewide moment of silence at noon followed by a statewide tolling of bells.

Virginia Tech candlelight vigil, April 2007: Photo by Ben Townsend (CC)

Governor Kaine will attend the university convocation this morning at 10:30 a.m. on the Drillfield at Virginia Tech. The convocation webcast information, as well as a list of other events, is available at http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/.    » read more »

Direct state regulators, scientists to implement management strategies to revive imperiled fishery

COLONIAL BEACH, Va. (April 15, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced their commitment to work together to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s beleaguered blue crab population by directing state regulators and scientists to implement management strategies to revive the imperiled fishery.

Maryland Blue Crab: Photo by fishfoot (CC)    » read more »

April 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jesse A. Ault, 28, of Dublin, Virginia, died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered in Tunnis, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, Virginia Army National Guard, Roanoke, Va.

Source: DOD

April 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Jeremiah E. McNeal, 23, of Norfolk, Virginia, died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 91st Troop Command, Virginia Army National Guard, West Point, Va.

Source: DoD

Two grants valued at $5 million each to speed construction of Hawk's Nest and Rockhouse sections

April 4, 2008 -- ABINGDON – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced two $5 million Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund grants for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to advance construction of two sections of the Coalfields Expressway in southwestern Virginia.

“The Coalfields Expressway comes closer to being a reality today,” Governor Kaine said. “These two grants, coupled with potential federal funds, will allow us to advance this much-anticipated project for Virginia.”    » read more »

Bills improve mental health and rehabilitative services and simplify government processes for military personnel and their families

April 4, 2008 - RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today ceremonially signed several General Assembly bills providing support and assistance to military personnel, veterans and their families, demonstrating Virginia’s continued bipartisan support for active duty service members, Guardsmen and Reservists, veterans and their families.

Virginia Governor Kaine signs bills to improve mental health and rehabilitative services for military personnel: Photo courtesy Virginia Governor's office    » read more »

April 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jevon K. Jordan, 32, of Norfolk, Virginia, died Mar. 29 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, from wounds suffered Mar. 23 in Abu Jassim, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Source: DoD

Virginia Foreclosure Rate Has More than Doubled Since 2006

April 1, 2008 -- Washington, DC- The Senate today voted overwhelmingly to begin debate on a measure co-sponsored by Senator Webb designed to ease the impact of the home foreclosure crisis on communities across the country. The “Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008” (S. 2636), introduced last month to address the mounting nationwide housing crisis and help more families keep their homes, will receive a final vote later this week or next.    » read more »