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A Homestead Act would strain localities
Lawmakers pander to homeowners by having everyone else pay higher taxes for local services.
It is easy for lawmakers to look tough on taxes when they are slashing someone else's revenue. With a shortfall cramping state spending, some in the Virginia General Assembly realize they cannot target state finances for cuts. Instead, they push a Homestead Exemption Act that would let them posture while counties, cities and towns deal with the fallout.
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The realities of animal fighting
Animal fights are cruel and bloody. They also often involve gambling, drugs and organized crime.
Credit Michael Vick for one thing, if nothing else: His high-profile arrest and guilty plea highlighted the sordid, cruel world of dogfighting. State Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, wants to ride the resulting wave of revulsion to pass a bill making dogfighting a qualifying offense under Virginia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.
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New River editorial
Maybe if he offers $1 billion for the road
Pulaski County residents still have uses for Neck Creek Road.
Southwest Virginia's only billionaire wants Pulaski County to give him a road. Randal J. Kirk's personal wealth might lend some insight into the arrogance of his request, but it is irrelevant to the substance of it. Officials should look at his petition as if it had come from any other citizen, and as such petitions go, it is almost laughable.
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