Rural Community Connections
In recent years, reports and news articles have increasingly alerted us to the growing epidemic of social isolation in our nation. We also continue to find out just how damaging these conditions can be, with some studies even indicating that loneliness and isolation seem to correlate with cognitive decline, heart disease, and stroke. Digging further […]
General Assembly Acts on Governor’s Amendments and Vetoes
The General Assembly held its annual reconvened session on April 3 to consider the Governor’s amendments to legislation that passed during the regular session, as well as 17 bills vetoed by the Governor. In order for a bill to be amended in accordance with the Governor’s recommendation, both the House and the Senate must vote […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast | Preparing for the 2020 Census
Welcome to the County Pulse. In this episode, Host Katie Boyle talks with Margaret Nimmo Holland, Executive Director of Voices for Virginia’s Children, about the upcoming 2020 Census and efforts to ensure a successful count in Virginia. This episode is sponsored by Avaya — a leading provider of next-generation communications solutions for businesses and government […]
Mental Health Study Commission Kicks off 2019 Work
The Joint Subcommittee Studying Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century met to review the results of legislation and budget initiatives introduced during the 2019 General Assembly session as a result of the Joint Subcommittee’s work. The Joint Subcommittee also received briefings on ongoing projects and discussed issues for consideration as part […]
Visit Highland County, Alleghany County, and Bath County and the Jackson River
The Jackson is an excellent smallmouth bass, rock bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout fishery above Lake Moomaw. Below Gathright Dam, six public areas provide access to 18 miles of legally navigable water to Covington. Wild rainbow trout, wild brown trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass (redeye), and redbreast sunfish populate the tailwater below the dam. […]
Veterans Services in Virginia
Photo: VACo participated in an important meeting on veteran suicide and access to veteran resource officers. Pictured from left to right – Virginia Assistant Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Leslie Frazier; NACo Legislative Associate Austin Igleheart; Delegate Bob Thomas; King George County Supervisor Ruby Brabo; Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins; […]
Governor Releases Amendments to 2019 Legislation; General Assembly to Consider Governor’s Actions at April 3 Reconvened Session
Governor Ralph Northam released amendments to 46 bills this week, in addition to proposing 40 amendments to the state budget. The General Assembly will meet on Wednesday, April 3, to consider the Governor’s amendments, as well as the 17 bills vetoed by the Governor. Bills of interest to local governments Boards of Zoning Appeals (BZA) […]
Governor Proposes Helpful Flexibility on Teacher Salary Increases in Budget Amendments
Among the 40 amendments proposed by Governor Ralph Northam to the 2019 Appropriations Act is a recommendation to provide additional clarity and flexibility regarding the state share of salary increases for instructional and support staff listed in the Standards of Quality (SOQ) for the three percent salary incentive increase effective July 1, 2019, and the […]
Bills Are Now On the Governor’s Desk: What Comes Next?
While the General Assembly may have wrapped up the bulk of its business for the year and adjourned sine die on February 24, the legislative process keeps churning in Richmond. Over the course of a short, 46-day session, legislators introduced over 3,100 bills and resolutions. Two months of hearings and debates later, only approximately 2/3 […]
Ruth M. Anderson
Prince William County Supervisor Q1. You had an unusual childhood – what was it like to grow up in rural Alaska? Ruth Anderson: I was one of three daughters born into a very adventurous family that stayed in Alaska after my father’s service in World War II. Before moving to Minnesota in the 60s, we […]
Visit Floyd County and the Appalachian Trail Hut at Rocky Knob Recreation Area
Rocky Knob is one of the first developed areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is noted for its rustic and rural landscape, plus great camping and hiking. It is an outdoor lovers’ paradise with easy access to the Parkway’s Mabry Mill and the Chateau Morrisette Winery. A campground has over 100 sites for tents […]
Counties encouraged to use NACo app testing access to broadband
The National Association of Counties in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) has developed a mobile app designed to show locations with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate federal funding for areas lacking access to the internet. TestIT is an iOS/Android mobile app that […]
Northam Sticks to Environmental Priorities; Vetoes Bills Limiting Virginia’s Ability to Combat Pollution
Sticking to his environmental priorities, Governor Ralph Northam has vetoed two bills that sought to limit the Commonwealth’s ability to combat air pollution generated from vehicles and power plants. First, Governor Northam vetoed HB 2269 (Poindexter), which prohibits the Governor or any state agency from adopting any regulation establishing or bringing about the participation by […]
Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board (GO Virginia) Meeting, Grant Announcements, and Site Development Presentation
The GO Virginia Board met on March 12 to approve $6.7 million in competitive economic development grants to support seven regional initiatives. The Board is a public 24-member policy board that provides oversight to the nine regional councils and provides state incentives to match with local, federal, and private funds to encourage regional economic cooperation […]
Virginia Retirement Service (VRS) News Bulletin
In the latest monthly publication from VRS, the independent state agency provided an overview of its 2018 Annual Financial Reports, IRS increases to the amount participants may contribute to Commonwealth’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, a detailed guide to retiring in 2019, legislative updates from the General Assembly, and notice of an upcoming system maintenance outage […]
State General Fund Revenues Up in February, Trail Annual Forecast; Unemployment Remains Low
Governor Ralph Northam announced last week that state General Fund revenues experienced a significant increase in February, but remain below the annual forecast on a fiscal year-to-date basis; the Administration expects stronger growth later in the fiscal year. The spike in revenues in February, representing growth of 26.6 percent, is largely attributed to slower-than-normal issuance […]