JLARC Reviews Virginia’s Early Childhood Programs
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) received a briefing on December 12 on the state’s early childhood development programs, an area in which the state spent approximately $144 million in FY 2016 (in general and lottery funds), supplemented by $125 million in federal funds and $61 million in local dollars. JLARC staff evaluated […]
The Berkley Group’s ETA Program saves the day in the Town of Amherst
Pete Huber is a busy man. It took several calls to catch up with Huber to talk about his experience as Town of Amherst Interim Manager. The initial call caught Huber helping a pair of Council Members with the new Outlook email system. On the return call, Huber explained he was meeting with staff to […]
Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century Adopts Final Recommendations for 2017
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century met on December 19 to adopt recommendations for the upcoming General Assembly session. Although transportation of individuals experiencing mental health crises was the subject of most of the media coverage of the meeting, the Joint Subcommittee discussed a variety of issues. Below is […]
Financial Facts
The IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-105004-16) permitting employers to use truncated social security or other taxpayer id numbers on the copy of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, furnished to the employee. The use would be voluntary, and would show the last four digits with the preceding replaced by asterisks or Xs. The proposed rules […]
VML APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Gowdy as Executive Director. Gowdy has been serving as Acting Executive Director and General Counsel. “The Executive Committee voted unanimously to name Michelle our next Executive Director,” said Dr. Patricia Woodbury, VML President and Newport News Councilwoman. “Michelle has been a successful local government […]
VACo Welcomes Angela Inglett
The Virginia Association of Counties is pleased to announce the hiring of Angela Inglett as Director of Program Development. Inglett will join the VACo Team on January 3. She previously served as Legislative Assistant in U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Office (VA-06). “We anticipate Angela filling a vital dual role with the Association,” VACo Executive Director […]
VACo Welcomes Khaki LaRiviere
The Virginia Association of Counties is pleased to announce that Kathleen L. “Khaki” LaRiviere will join the team on January 3 as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. LaRiviere comes to VACo after serving as Policy Advisor to Governor Terry McAuliffe. “Khaki brings state experience in policy development, which will further bolster our Legislative Team’s effectiveness,” VACo […]
Virginia Improves Ranking on Forbes.com “Best States for Business” List
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced on November 28 that Virginia was ranked fifth on Forbes.com’s 2017 “Best States for Business” list, an improvement over its rankings in 2015 (when it ranked seventh) and 2016 (when it ranked sixth). Forbes.com rates states in six categories to establish the overall ranking: business costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic […]
Visit Augusta County and Humpback Rock
Humpback Rock is a massive greenstone outcrop near the peak of Humpback Mountain with a summit elevation of 3,080 feet (940 m). The rock is so named for the visual effect of a “hump” it creates on the western face of the mountain. Humpback Rock, along with a well maintained trail and visitors’ center, is […]
VACo Associate Member SPOTLIGHT – AquaLaw
Joint Subcommittee for HHR Oversight Discusses CSA Private Day Placements; Mary Biggs Offers Testimony on Behalf of Local Governments
The Joint Subcommittee for Health and Human Resources Oversight received briefings on November 29 on the issue of private special education day placements funded through the Children’s Services Act (CSA). This meeting was a continuation of discussions on this topic that have been underway for the last several years; most recently, staff to the House […]
VDOE Releases 2018-2020 Local Composite Index
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released its biennial update of the Composite Index of Local Ability-to-Pay. Calculated using a locality’s true value of real property, adjusted gross income, and taxable retail sales, this index, also referred to as the Local Composite Index or LCI, determines a school division’s ability to pay educational costs […]
Chamber of Commerce releases updated business plan
At its 8th annual Virginia Economic Summit on December 1, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce released an update of its 2013 Blueprint Virginia plan. The update, Blueprint Virginia 2025, was developed over the last year with more than 6,000 responses to an electronic survey and numerous regional briefings. The plan makes targeted recommendations in the […]
ALLISON MAYS
Washington County Board of Supervisors Q1. You’re a Washington County native and you’ve worked in a variety of fields – in financial planning, in the arts, and in the nonprofit health care sphere. What made you decide to run for office? How does your background influence your service on the Board of Supervisors? Allison Mays: I […]
VACo Releases 2018 Legislative Program
After months of steering committee meetings, lively debate and participation through the association’s legislative process, VACo adopted its 2018 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program is organized according to VACo’s Steering Committees. VACo membership identified “Increased Education Funding” as the overarching legislative priority for the 2018 General Assembly Session. VACo’s overarching legislative priority is: To assure […]