Author: Dick Hall-Sizemore
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This is Overreach
by Dick Hall-Sizemore The redistricting map presented by Democrats is outrageous, embarrassing, and just plain outlandish. I can’t think of other words to describe it. It certainly violates the state constitution’s requirement that districts be compact. The traditional ideas of respecting communities of interest and jurisdictional boundary lines to the extent possible were thrown out the…
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Followup: Canadian Owner of Hanover Warehouse Pulls Out of ICE Deal
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Jim Pattison Developments, the Vancouver-based owner of the warehouse in Hanover County which the Dept. of Homeland Security was proposing to purchase and renovate into an ICE processing center, has pulled out of the deal, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The company issued a brief statement, “The transaction to sell our industrial building…
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A Vapid Performance
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Out of curiosity after reading Derrick Max’s article on the family and medical leave act, I watched the video recording of that subcommittee meeting on HB 1207. Derrick Max raised legitimate questions and objections to the bill. There were two Republican Delegates on that subcommittee. Neither asked a single question of the bill’s…
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Hanover Opposes ICE Detention Center
by Dick Hall-Sizemore The Trump administration has to know it is in trouble when Hanover County opposes the establishment of an immigrant processing center within its boundaries. Hanover is the most reliably Republican jurisdiction in the Richmond area and one of the most reliable in the state. In each of the last three Presidential elections, Trump…
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Judge Declares Redistricting Amendment Invalid; Democrats Proceed Nevertheless
by Dick Hall-Sizemore A Tazewell circuit court judge has ruled that the attempt by the General Assembly Democrats to amend the state constitution to allow for a redistricting of Congressional districts this year is invalid, both on unconstitutional and statutory grounds. He based his ruling on three issues: Legislative rules of procedure—The original resolution establishing…
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A Rejoinder to Hans Bader
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Hans Bader has published an extensive article in BR opposing bills introduced in the General Assembly that would enable judges to give a “Second Look” at inmates with long sentences. As I was preparing my comments to the article, they themselves became so extensive that I decided an rejoinder article would be…
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A Golden Parachute for Some
by Dick Hall-Sizemore So far, Gov.-elect Spanberger has designated four members of the General Assembly for her Cabinet or high level administrative position: Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax)—Secretary of Finance Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax)—Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Del. Candi Mundon King (D-Prince William)—Secretary of the Commonwealth Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Arlington)—Senior Adviser to the Virginia…
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A Break in Tradition
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Gov.-elect Spanberger has broken new ground with one of her agency appointments. She recently announced the appointment of Jeffrey Katz to be the Superintendent of State Police. Katz was formerly the chief of police in Chesterfield County. After retiring from that position in 2024, he joined the FBI, where he worked in the…
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Spanberger Cabinet Picks Much Different from Youngkin’s
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Despite stocking her transition team with individuals unfamiliar with Virginia politics and issues, Gov.-elect Spanberger has not followed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s path of bringing in non-Virginians and persons unfamiliar with government and the Virginia legislature to fill out her Cabinet. Instead, she has, so far, surrounded herself with Cabinet members who have extensive…
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Old School Journalism
by Dick Hall-Sizemore While recently lamenting to myself the sad state of local journalism, I began ruminating about the outstanding reporters for the Richmond Times-Dispatch who used to kept us informed. There was James Latimer, the dean of political reporters; Charles McDowell with his wry wit and columns about national politics; Shelly Rolfe and his…
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An Affordability Suggestion
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Gov.-elect Spanberger has released her plan to make Virginia more affordable. Forgive me if I do not see a lot in there that would quickly make life more affordable for most average Virginians. However, Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News has identified a measure that could make a major expense more affordable for many…
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Transition Team Light on Virginia Government Experience
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Gov-elect Spanberger seems on the verge of repeating a mistake that then Gov.-elect Youngkin made four years ago — surrounding herself with advisers from her former world rather than from Virginia government and politics. Youngkin, a complete neophyte in politics and Virginia government, brought in people from the investment banking world and…
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Now the Hard Part Begins
by Dick Hall-Sizemore Overlooked in all the news around the election was some sobering budget news for the next governor. As reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Dept. of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has forecast that Virginia’s Medicaid costs will increase by $3.2 billion over the next three years. That increase consists of an additional…