Author: James A. Bacon
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Wrecked Rectors & Busted Boards
by Gordon C. Morse Here’s what John G. Rocovich, former rector of Virginia Tech, wrote to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger last Thursday: “Virginia Tech deserves better than to be made a political football. I have given too much of my life to this institution to stand by silently while its independence is threatened — regardless…
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CDL Carnage Continues
by Kerry Dougherty On Friday morning, at 2:35, a charter bus on I-95 south in Stafford county failed to slowdown for a work zone and plowed into an SUV. That SUV rammed an Acura sedan, carrying a family of four. Four other cars were also hit by the bus, before the larger vehicle flipped over,…
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A Revenue Reforecast Is Not a Blank Check
by Derrick Max To be clear, there is no evidence that Virginia’s professional forecasters manipulated the numbers. The Commonwealth has earned a well-deserved reputation for responsible revenue forecasting, and when collections exceed expectations, forecasts should be updated accordingly. In fact, the Jefferson Forum has noted how Virginia’s economy is more resilient to federal changes than it once was,…
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Out of Bounds: When Religious Bias Enters the Legislative Process
by Joshua N. Lief In the high-stakes environment of the Virginia General Assembly, debate is expected to be vigorous. Whatever the topic, we rely on elected officials to weigh arguments based on facts, economics, and fairness. However, when a delegate bypasses the substance of a bill and instead targets the identity of one of its…
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“Reinterred and Reinterpeted” Needs Revision
by Kamron M. Spivey A quick walk across Washington and Lee University’s campus — or a skim through recent museum publications — reveals a troubling pattern of factual inaccuracies, weak sourcing, and careless historical interpretation. These problems are not isolated mistakes. They raise legitimate concerns about the reliability of the university’s forthcoming chapel galleries and…
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These Virginia Constitutional Amendments Need Opposition, Not Neutrality
A 32-30 vote to remain “neutral” where Republican State Central Committee members couldn’t even put their names to their votes? Unacceptable. by Shaun Kenney Now I will grant this. Never has a unit committee or state committee endorsement swung an election, at least not in recent memory. This is how inconsequential votes from the Republican…
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Spanberger Making Enemies All Over Virginia
by Kerry Dougherty Last week, after it was announced that Gov. Abigail Spanberger was meddling in Virginia Tech governance by summarily firing the beloved rector of Virginia Tech, former Rep. Scott Taylor posed a question on X: Is there any group that the new governor of Virginia hasn’t pissed off?“Furries,” I replied. “The NOVA Wine…
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Rocovich Responds
to his firing as Virginia Tech rector by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Source: (18) Patrick Bowers on X: “GO OFF ROC! Take a seat @SpanbergerForVA https://t.co/HaU97nyo8d” / X
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Congress Is Grilling the Right School Superintendent — I know Firsthand
Aaron Spence shows how public-school bureaucrats dismiss parental rights and push indoctrination. by Victoria Manning Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Aaron Spence has been summoned to speak before the Congressional Committee on Education and Workforce on June 10. The topic is “Superintendents Breaking Trust in America’s Schools.” I know first-hand that Congress picked the perfect person…
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Social Breakdown Update
Virginia’s homicide rate is down, thankfully, but do you, as an ordinary citizen feel any safer?
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When You Fire the Rector of a Virginia University…
Shouldn’t you at least explain why? John Rocovich, a prominent Roanoke attorney, has served two terms on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, twice as rector. Violating the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics are serious charges. Aren’t he and the public owed an explanation? — JAB
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From FOIA Fight to Felony Embezzlement Charges
Restoration News holds Essex County (VA) School Board member accountable as grand jury indicts board member, superintendent, and finance director. by Victoria Manning An investigation by Restoration News has led to direct accountability for elected officials. When Essex School Board member Garlyn Bundy failed to produce documents requested by Restoration News under the Freedom of…
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GOP No Longer the Party of Ronald Reagan
Former Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling writes on The Republican Standard that the Trumpification of the Republican Party nationally and Virginia is complete. He writes: Recent primary elections in several states have clearly shown that the Grand Old Party as we once knew it is stone cold dead. The GOP is no longer the party…