Daily Update: 12-19-11

Legislature:

Judge Declines Injunction Opposing Gop Control Of Va. Senate
Laura Vozzella
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/court-rules-against-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-gop-control-of-va-senate/2011/12/16/gIQARzL4yO_story.html

Poll Show Voters Support Senate Power Sharing
Wesley P. Hester
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://virginiapolitics.tumblr.com/post/14315372080/poll-shows-voters-support-senate-power-sharing

Studies On Uranium Mine Pile Up For Lawmakers
Laurence Hammack
Roanoke Times
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/302530

Uranium Mining Comes With Both Economic Benefit, Environmental Harm
Anita Kumar
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/uranium-mining-in-southside-may-come-with-both-economic-benefit-environmental-harm-study-finds/2011/12/16/gIQAgOnxyO_blog.html?wprss=virginia-politics

Much-Anticipated Va. Uranium Mining Report Due
Steve Szkotak
Associated Press
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/12/muchanticipated-va-uranium-mining-report-due

Mark Cole Resumes Bpol Battle
Chelyen Davis
Free Lance-Star
http://fredericksburg.com//News/FLS/2011/122011/12182011/671444

Sheriffs Want Improved Drug Regulations
Amanda Kerr Virginia Gazette
Daily Press
http://articles.dailypress.com/2011-12-16/news/dp-nws-james-city-york-meth-bust-update-1217-20111216_1_manufacturing-meth-pseudoephedrine-pharmacies

Roads Called Tricky Issue
Chelyen Davis
Free Lance-Star
http://fredericksburg.com//News/FLS/2011/122011/12162011/671221

Morrissey Wants Law License Back Now
Staff
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2011/dec/18/tdmet02-morrissey-wants-law-license-back-now-ar-1552010/

Governor:

McDonnell’s Expected $78 Billion Budget To Define His Legacy
Jeff E. Schapiro
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2011/dec/18/1/tdmain01-mcdonnells-expected-78-billion-budget-to--ar-1551948/

McDonnell Proposes Quicker Phase-Out Of ‘Accelerated Sales Tax’ Requirement
Anita Kumar
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-proposes-quicker-phase-out-of-accelerated-sales-tax-requirement/2011/12/16/gIQAHsrXyO_blog.html?wprss=virginia-politics

Pension Costs To Rise For Localities?
Chelyen Davis
Free Lance-Star
http://fredericksburg.com//News/FLS/2011/122011/12162011/671337

Service And Sacrifice Theme Of McDonnell’s Commencement Address At VSU
F.M. Wiggins
Progress Index
http://progress-index.com/news/service-and-sacrifice-theme-of-mcdonnell-s-commencement-address-at-vsu-1.1246557#axzz1gyrbPEIy


Commonwealth’s Economy:

Number Of Virginians On Food Stamps Soars
Olympia Meola
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2011/dec/17/tdmain01-number-of-virginians-on-food-stamps-soars-ar-1550375/

Politics/Elections:

Schumer Headlines Fundraiser For Kaine In Senate Race
Anita Kumar
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/schumer-headlines-fundraiser-for-kaine-in-senate-race/2011/12/16/gIQAiBOQyO_blog.html?wprss=virginia-politics

Editorials:

Virginia’s Ticking Pension Time Bomb
Washington Post Editorial
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/virginias-ticking-time-bomb/2011/12/15/gIQA9n930O_story.html?wprss=rss_opinions

A Step Toward Funding State Pensions
Roanoke Times Editorial
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/302486

Begging For Better Roads
Roanoke Times Editorial
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/302540