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Perspective
Margaritaville
By C. Douglas Smith
From Inter-Session, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Virginia Interfaith Center between sessions of the General Assembly
The news these days is flush with accounts of the proposed sale of Virginia's post-prohibition monopoly of ABC stores. For generations, the Commonwealth has controlled liquor by the bottle through a state-based network of about 300 stores that do no advertising, rarely display signage, and still wrap bottles in a trademark brown paper bag. Governor Bob McDonnell wants to change that.
My friend Sen. John Chichester used to tell me that Virginia's hold on ABC stores resulted in the state drinking in both tax and profit. In other words, liquor stores are another example of a well run government program, this time as an actual business.
... >> Sign up for our newsletter and read more of Doug's article.
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group. We are a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to create progressive public policy by engaging people of faith, educating the public about social issues, the legislative process, and the call to advocacy.
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Why I Give to The Center
 The Virginia Interfaith Center is a prophetic voice, speaking truth to power. As a Christian, I believe this is what Jesus did, and as the body of Christ in the world, I believe The Center is helping us be this prophetic voice.
--Phyllis Albritton
Blacksburg, Virginia
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Political Headlines from Va. Press Assoc.
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Cuccinelli is proud of upcoming Post profile
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Lou Dobbs to address Va. Tea Party convention
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Del. Brenda Pogge rallies Virginia voters with Dick Morris…
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Gibbs: ‘Some very serious charges’ against Rangel
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A public watchdog group has accused Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th, of accepting major donations from the financial sector after questioning President Barack Obama#39;s relationship to the financial industry. Public Campaign reported that Cantor received more than $460,000 in the second quarter from the financial sector, including Goldman Sachs and Bank ...
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Prince William official details proposed crackdown on Va. illegals
Undeterred by legal obstacles holding up parts of Arizona#39;s new immigration law, the chairman of Prince William#39;s Board of County Supervisors today detailed a crackdown he is pushing in Virginia. A day after a federal judge blocked some of the most controversial parts of Arizona#39;s tough new law, Corey Stewart ...
McDonnell sets townhall tour to push for selling off state liquor stores - hits Norfolk Aug. 9
The Washington Post is reporting that Gov. Bob McDonnell is going to take to the tour bus to sell his plan to get rid of state-run liquor stores as part of his effort to streamline state government. The Virginia Republican cruised to victory last November, and one of his platforms planks included getting the state out of the liquor distribution business. The push is the focal point of McDonnell's effort to reform state government, but it's not a simple business because the industry makes the state…
EPA rejects challenges from Cuccinelli, others
The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected 10 petitions -- including one filed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli -- challenging the climate science research it is using to formulate regulations limiting manmade greenhouse gas emissions. The petitions asked the EPA to reconsider its finding and reopen its hearings on the ...
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U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner on Thursday sent a letter requesting Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and General Services Administrator Martha Johnson re-evaluate plans to renovate the Roanoke Veterans Affairs Regional Office.
The renovations, as currently planned, would likely exacerbate the VARO’s high backlog rate without solving some of its major infrastructure needs, the [...]
McDonnell to push ABC sale at town hall meetings
Gov. Bob McDonnell plans eight town hall meetings around the state next month to solicit ways to improve state government from the public and to try to sell the benefits of privatizing state liquor stores. The first meeting will be Wednesday in Roanoke. McDonnell has dubbed the tour quot;Virginia Speaks: ...
Rigell fundraises with U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions this weekend…
Republican congressional candidate Scott Rigell is getting cozy this weekend with someone who ought to be a big ally this fall - U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, who is running the National Republican Congressional Committee. Sessions, a Texas Republican,is running one of the partisan arms of House GOP caucus that could swoop into Virginia to help Rigell's run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye and independent candidate Kenny Golden. Sessions is an interesting character - here's some of his background…
Ethics panel accuses Rangel of 13 violations
House investigators on Thursday alleged 13 violations of congressional ethics and federal law by veteran New York Rep. Charles Rangel.
UPDATE: Dozens arrested in protests of immigration law
Opponents of Arizona#39;s immigration crackdown went ahead with protests Thursday despite a judge#39;s ruling that delayed enforcement of most the law, and dozens of people in Phoenix were arrested after peacefully confronting officers in riot gear.
UPDATE: Ousted USDA employee says she’ll sue blogger
Ousted USDA employee Shirley Sherrod says she will sue blogger Andrew Breitbart.
UPDATE: Obama defends education policies to critics
President Barack Obama is defending his administration#39;s education policies, responding to criticism that so far they have not substantially helped minority students.
Ousted USDA employee says she’ll sue blogger
Ousted USDA employee Shirley Sherrod says she will sue blogger Andrew Breitbart.
Time again for Washington’s 50 Most Beautiful People
The Hill is out with its attempt at a swimsuit issue today -- the annual "50 Most Beautiful People in Washington" list. The Beautiful People range from a sitting senator to a tour guide, all political stripes are represented, and hometowns range from California to Florida. (Wait a minute: Why isn't surprising that California and Florida are on the list?) And for you Virginia lovers -- yes, Virginia did place two people on the list. I know you're going to dial through the slide show anyway, so I won't…
UPDATE: Ariz. immigration ruling could send message to states
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton#39;s ruling marked a repudiation of the Arizona law.
Obama to defend education policies to critics
President Barack Obama is defending his administration#39;s education policies, responding to criticism that so far they have not substantially helped minority students.
No legal help for staggered terms
Fellow supervisors reject Pyles’ request for aid from county attorney
Tea party plans fall Richmond convention
The Virginia Tea Party has announced plans to hold its first Virginia convention Oct. 8-9 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Va. Tea party to hold Richmond convention in the fall
The Virginia Tea Party has announced plans to hold its first Virginia convention Oct. 8-9 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Cuccinelli campaign donating money from charity under investigation
More than $55,000 donated to the campaign of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli by the operator of a Navy veterans charity under investigation will be donated to veterans charities in the commonwealth, his campaign said yesterday. Political Director Noah Wall said the funds donated by the United States Navy Veterans ...
House backs Webb’s criminal-justice study
The House of Representatives is backing U.S. Sen. Jim Webb#39;s proposed study of the nation#39;s criminal-justice system -- a racially charged measure pushed by the Virginia Democrat for more than a year. quot;This bill will take a long-overdue, comprehensive review of our criminal-justice system -- taking a look at what#39;s ...
Cuccinelli punts on controversial donation
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said Wednesday that he will donate than $55,000 in campaign money from a contributor who is now under investigation.
“We were practicing the principle of presumed innocence with Bobby Thompson, awaiting proof from law enforcement that the money he had given the campaign was either a legitimate donation or was not [...]
Cuccinelli finally dumps $55,000 in donations from tainted “Navy” organization…
After months of controversy surrounding a "Navy" non-profit groups political donations, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has decided to donate $55,500 in campaign contributions from the organization to charity. Cuccinelli was far and away the largest Virginia politician to get money from the group, the "U.S. Navy Veterans Organization" and the state's top lawyer is deciding exactly which veteran-friendly charity to turn the money over too. Gov. Bob McDonnell donated his $5,000 check from…
Cuccinelli to give questioned cash to veterans’ charities
At issue was more than $55,000 donated by the operator of a Navy veterans organization that is under investigation.
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Public News Service (National)
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