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The Chesapeake Bay is a loser in legislature’s political grudge match
By Stephen Atkinson The Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, whose mission is to support recreational anglers, is displeased that our recreational angler representatives on the Virginia Marine Resource Commission Board have been caught up in dirty politics. Our most recent appointees who serve as associate board members, Christy Everett and Chris Newsome, were appointed by the […]
Electric deregulation backers overpromise, ignore ugly truths
By Gary Meltz In a recent Mercury op-ed, a supporter of deregulating Virginia’s electricity markets promised that creating competition for Dominion Energy would result in great benefits for Virginians, including: “fixed-price power contracts for one, two or three years and other services to reduce electricity consumption.” The author himself has been a paid consultant to […]
A world burning up and under water must finally act on climate change
By Rose Hendricks and Mark Reynolds Two recent Mercury articles send an incredibly clear message: the effects of climate change are here in Virginia right now, and they’re only going to intensify. First, Sarah Vogelsong’s article “Report says climate change will have ‘increasingly disruptive effect’ on coastal Va.” details the statewide repercussions of rising sea […]
More regulation of the industry needed to ensure affordable broadband for all
By the Rev. Rick Willis As a member of the Eastern Shore Chapter of Virginia Organizing and a 20-year resident of Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore, I am responding to Ned Oliver’s August 16 comprehensive article in the Mercury regarding the $700 million the General Assembly has budgeted for broadband in its recent special session. It […]
INBOX: On electric regulation and deregulation
To the Mercury: There is a debate brewing in Virginia over whether or not to deregulate the state’s electricity. Which, essentially means allowing various companies to compete with Dominion Energy by selling power to residents and businesses. Supporters of deregulation, like the organization Clean Virginia, insist that creating competition will be good residents of the […]
In their own words: Here’s how much voting rights matter to those who’ve lost them
By Ladelle McWhorter Virginia Organizing would like to respond to Graham Moomaw’s, “Virginia Democrats push to end constitutional rule stripping felons of voting rights,” in order to make sure readers hear the perspectives of people who have lost their right to vote, in addition to legislators and experts. On Dec. 29, members met with Sen. […]
Avoid a private marijuana market
To the Mercury: In a recent op-ed for the Washington Post on the need for racial equity in marijuana legalization, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and current House Del. Don Scott wrote that we need “to challenge ourselves to do what is right, not what is easy.” We agree with that sentiment, but would like […]
Are stream fencing bills ‘major step’ or jettisoned partnership?
By Wayne F. Pryor The Jan. 29 commentary “Setting a deadline for farm conservation practices would be a major step for Virginia water quality” might describe a bold stride. But for Virginia’s farmers it feels like a betrayal of trust. For years, farmers, conservation groups and soil and water conservation districts have worked diligently to address legitimate barriers to farmers’ being […]