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Janet Howell

Friday, February 15, 2013

Conference Panel Will Seek Transportation Compromise

With 10 days left in the 2013 Virginia General Assembly session, Fairfax Sen. Janet Howell and Del. Dave Albo join working group to hammer out transportation deal.

By Whitney Spicer, Capital News Service A conference committee of 10 legislators in the State Capitol has less than a week-and-a-half to hammer out a compromise between House and Senate versions of a bill that would increase transportation funding for the Commonwealth. The committee was named Wednesday after the Senate passed a version of House Bill 2313, a bill that  differs greatly from a proposal approved by delegates last week. The group will have eight Republicans and two Democrats — including Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax). Republican Del. Dave Albo (Lorton, Springfield) was also appointed to the group.  Virginia's Republican Governor Bob McDonnell said he would sign a bill into law that is “a fiscally responsible plan.”  “We must act…

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Question: What Should America (and Virginia) Do About Guns?

Patch wants to know what you think.

Reverberations from last week's school shooting in Connecticut are still being felt across the nation. The death of 20 children and six adults at the hands of a lone gunman has some reconsidering their stance on firearm usage in the United States and in the Commonwealth.    The shooting has motivated Virginia Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) to reintroduce a bill that would close the Commonwealth's gun show loophole, which can allow people to buy firearms at gun shows without a background check.  "It's tragic. I don't now whether I'm more angry or sad over it (the shooting)," said Howell. "I hope at this point we have reached a tipping point. One thing everyone agrees on is that access should be limited to keeping guns from mentally ill …

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James Cullum

4:26 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

From a reader via email: There needs to be a discussion about why young people are becoming more and more violent and resort to guns to resolve their anger and frustration. I believe part of the equation must include the media which write, produce and air viciousness stories on the news, on the internet, in video games, on television and in the movies. Kids are constantly watching these venues …   more ›

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