The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Virginia

Small Businesses Seek Relief from ACA Penalties

Big fines for small businesses are among the possible unintended consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to make the Medicaid expansion optional for states.

Prince William County, VA, 2012 Election Analysis

Like its neighbor Fairfax County, Prince William County, VA, established a bipartisan task force to examine long lines faced by some of its voters at the polls during last November’s general election.

Drone Limits Become Law

Police agencies in five states already have drones, and lawmakers want to make sure protections are in place before more agencies spend more money. Which cities already have drones?

Long Lines at the Polls in Fairfax County, VA

A recently released report from the Bipartisan Election Process Improvement Commission of Fairfax County, VA, identified several reasons voters faced long lines at the polls during last November’s election.

States Rack Up Victories in Bids to Collect Online Sales Taxes

After more than a decade of trying, state officials think they may get to collect billions of dollars of taxes on online sales soon. Find out why.

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Virginia Online Voter Registration

In February, Virginia became the most recent state to pass legislation allowing online voter registration, joining 13 other states that permit it.

States with Heavy Military Presence Hurt Hardest

The White House published a 50-state list of potential impacts from the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. States that rely heavily on military spending would be hurt worst.

States Seek Legal Limits on Domestic Drones

Lawmakers in nearly half the states are working to set legal limits on the use of drones, before they become a key part of domestic policing.

Should Judges Be Forced To Retire?

Judges in 33 states are forced to retire at a certain age. State legislators are not so sure this is a good idea.

Despite Governor’s Push, Voting Rights for Felons Fails in Virginia

A House subcommittee chose not to take up legislation that would have amended the constitution to automatically restore those rights after nonviolent felons pay their debt to society.

Virginia Republicans Advance Voter ID Legislation

Virginia Republicans are moving forward with plans to tighten voter ID laws for the second time in two years.

Republicans Reassess Social Issue Strategy

Political pressure and last year’s elections have led Republican lawmakers to rethink their approach to controversial social questions.

Gas Tax Loses Favor as Governors Look for New Transportation Money

In the search for more transportation money, governors and state lawmakers are largely avoiding one of the most obvious and straightforward funding sources: state gasoline taxes.

Virginia Uranium Legislation Fails, But Fight Not Over

An effort in the Virginia legislature to lift the state’s 31-year-old moratorium on uranium mining has failed, dealing a blow to supporters of a plan to tap the country’s largest known uranium deposit. But the debate is far from over.

Virginia Weighs an End to Its 31-Year-Old Uranium Mining Ban

In Virginia, home to one of the world’s largest deposits of uranium, state lawmakers must decide whether to overturn the state’s 31-year-old ban on mining.

Issue To Watch: School Testing

A number of states are pushing to up the stakes on reading tests for younger students and assign letter grades to schools.

Public Safety in Virginia

Public safety in Virginia.

Virginia State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Jan. 9 -- Following is the full text of Gov. Bob McDonnell's 2013 State of the State Address

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Virginia

How well is Virginia protecting kids from tooth decay?

Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Won’t Run For Governor — Not As Republican, At Least

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling will not seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2013, he said Wednesday. But he left open the possibility for a run as an independent.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Virginia

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

In Some States, Election Season Could Linger Long After Tuesday

Here’s a look at several states whose elections may remain undecided long after Tuesday night.

The State of Voter Registration in the 2012 Election

This infographic discusses the partnership among Pew and seven states to launch the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a tool which helps securely compare voter records between states to better maintain voter records, save money, and streamline processes. Additionally, 13 states now offer online voter registration.

Online Voter Registration Now Offered in 13 States—Driving Thousands of New Registrants and Updates

Since July, California, Maryland, New York, and South Carolina have introduced online voter registration, bringing to 13 the number of states that currently offer this service. Increased use of online registration and new technologies adopted in these states has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of registered voters.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Virginia

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Ten of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Virginia and hold 46 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Virginia may be paying.

How Governors Govern Higher Ed

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett are the latest governors to play a role in resolving crises at their state universities.

Heat Wave, Budget Cuts Strain Utility Safety Net

Budget cuts and a blistering hot spell wave left states short on cash this summer while tackling high energy demand. Now many worry about having enough heat when winter comes.

With ‘Facts’ Website, California Looks to Thwart Opposition to Climate Change

California Governor Jerry Brown has unveiled a new website seeking to quiet climate change skeptics. The move comes as conservative legislators in some states are pushing back against efforts to address the impacts of a climate shift.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Military and Overseas Voting Legislation

Earlier this year, the Pew Center on the States released Democracy from Afar which showed the progress states have made in passing laws to better protect the voting rights of military and overseas voters.

Voter Registration in Four States

A recent analysis from the Pew Center on the States reveals the massive challenge election officials face in processing registration forms right before a presidential election. Data from four states—Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia—clearly show that, every four years, election offices must deal with a huge spike in voter registration applications.

Voter Registration in Four States

Data from four states—Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia—show that election offices must deal with a huge spike in voter registration applications every four years.

Colorado Theater Shooting Revives Gun Rights Debate

The nation’s latest mass shooting has revived debate over its patchwork of gun laws. But advocates on both sides of the issue expect that public shock and outrage over the killing of 12 people at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater will do little to shift momentum in statehouses and on Capitol Hill toward harsher restri

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

The Widening Gap Update: Virginia

Virginia failed to pay its full annual pension contribution from 2005 to 2010. The system was 72 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $21 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $6 billion bill for retiree health care costs, 26 percent of which was funded, well above the 8 percent national average in 2010.

Time Served in Virginia

The average offender in Virginia released in 2009 served 3.3 years in custody, 91% more than the average offender released in 1990.

Troubled Times at the State Fair

State Fairs are facing a budget crunch, and one solution is to turn them over to private ownership.

States May Boost Salaries, With a Catch

Long-awaited salary increases or bonuses will be tied to “ifs” and “buts” for state employees in Arizona and possibly Virginia.

Schweitzer, McDonnell Give Outside-the-Beltway Perspective

Indiana Gov Squashes VP Speculation

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said Sunday that if Mitt Romney asked him to be his running mate that he would “demand reconsideration” and send a list of people who “could suit better.” But he declined to say what names would

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Contention and Compromise in Virginia, Oregon Tied Chambers

The Virginia Senate and the Oregon House each had an equal number of Democrats and Republicans this year, but that's where the similarities ended.

GOP Governors Examined as Potential Running Mates

Several Republican governors have already taken their names out of consideration for the second spot on the national ticket.

Abortion Ultrasound Debate Intensifies

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: The debate in Virginia whether to require every woman seeking an abortion get an ultrasound is flaring up in a half dozen other statehouses.

Virginia Advances 'Tim Tebow Bill'

TODAY'S TAKE: Virginia is debating a bill that would allow home-schooled students to play on varsity sports teams at public high schools. The measure is nicknamed the "Tim Tebow bill" after the Denver Broncos quarterback.

States Try to Help Veterans Find Jobs

With U.S forces out of Iraq and combat troops slated to leave Afghanistan in 2013, states are readying for an influx of returning troops who will be looking for work.

Virginia Set to Lift Limit on Monthly Handgun Purchases

TODAY'S TAKE: Virginians will no longer be limited to one handgun purchase a month under legislation set to clear the newly Republican state legislature. The limit has been in place for 19 years.

Eastern Ports Scramble to Get Ready for New Panama Canal Era

As the Panama Canal expands to allow larger cargo ships to pass through, states along the Eastern Seaboard are maneuvering to make their ports compatible with the bigger and more lucrative vessels. But there is no guarantee the expensive bets will pay off.

At Last, a State Budget Year When the Sky Is Not Falling

PART FIVE OF FIVE: After four years of epic budget woes, states are ready for an improved 2012. Some are even poised to add dollars back to programs they wish they never had to cut.