Virginia on Tuesday June 30, 2009

VA: State computer system raises more questions
By Julian Walker, The Roanoke Times
Two of the state's top technology officials are being called to testify before a government panel on open record laws about why aspects of Virginia's plan to privatize its computer systems were discussed behind closed doors.
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VA: Virginia considering regulating car title loans
By Jeff E. Schapiro, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia is considering putting the brakes on the repo man, but there's disagreement on how to do it.
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Furloughs cut into state services
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer
With states facing a $121 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year, a growing number of them have turned to squeezing their workforce for savings, and effects both great and small will be felt.
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VA: Va. college bans indoor plants to avoid mold
By The Associated Press, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk)
Houseplants are banned at a Roanoke college, whose officials are taking no chances that they might cause a mold problem.
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VA: Swine-flu cases increase in Virginia
By Tammie Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia has more than 240 laboratory-confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu, but the true number of those sickened by the virus is probably many times that.
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VA: Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine's DNC travel records
By Jim Nolan, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia Republicans will appeal to the court of public opinion instead of a court of law to fight over access to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's out-of-town travel records as Democratic National Committee chairman.
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VA: Less travel forecast for Fourth of July weekend
By Peter Bacque, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Tourism officials across the state expect an unspectacular Fourth of July holiday this recession-pummeled summer.
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VA: Rail spending applauded; overall maintenance booed
By Rosalind S. Helderman, The Washington Post
Maryland and the District have done a better job than Virginia in spending federal stimulus dollars earmarked for transportation, according to a report released yesterday by a smart-growth advocacy group.
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VA: Va. lawmakers question system upgrade contract
By Anita Kumar, The Washington Post
Lawmakers are starting to question whether Virginia should renegotiate or cancel a 10-year, $2 billion contract to upgrade the state's computer system, responding to what state officials call years of missed deadlines and poor service by the contractor.
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US: Ruling adds teeth to state oversight of banks
By Neil Irwin, The Washington Post
For years, state governments have had little power to enforce consumer-protection and lending rules at the country's biggest banks. No more.
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US: Obama steers health debate out of capital
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg, The New York Times
WASHINGTON — With Democrats deeply divided over health legislation, President Obama is trying to enlist the nation's governors and his own army of grass-roots supporters in a bid to increase pressure on lawmakers without getting himself mired in the messy battle playing out on Capitol Hill.
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US: A green way to dump low-tech electronics
By Leslie Kaufman, The New York Times
Since 2004, 18 states and New York City have approved laws that make manufacturers responsible for recycling electronics, and similar statutes were introduced in 13 other states this year.
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