From Style Weekly: "Commentary: Costly Silence"

In this week's Style Weekly, Paul Goldman questions why Richmond lost the opportunity to gain an additional State Senate seat:

In an act of singular political courage, state Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico County, agreed to make a political sacrifice to help the Richmond region get the representation it deserves in the senate. He took the lead in convincing the Democratic majority to support a redistricting plan giving Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties an extra member of the state senate. Pantele, a Democrat and a resident of that Democratic-leaning district, would have been the slight favorite to win against a solid Republican challenger.

McEachin is a savvy legislator. He knew this extra vote meant hundreds of millions in additional tax dollars being returned to taxpayers in the region as opposed to the money being shipped to other areas of the state. Why?

State funds are allocated to cities and counties according to formulas passed into law by the General Assembly. Few Richmonders know anything about this process. Making sure our area gets a fair share is one of the most important jobs of any state senator. An extra senator would have been hugely beneficial.

Read Paul Goldman's "Commentary: Costly Silence" in Style Weekly.

McEachin Disappointed in Governor’s PBS cuts

From State Senator Donald McEachin

Senator McEachin Very Disappointed in Governor’s Reduction of PBS Funding:

"This is not good for Virginians"

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today criticized Governor McDonnell’s decision to cut PBS funding. Although the governor had previously proposed cuts in this area, his efforts had been rebuffed by the legislature. He has ignored their position and their vote to make this decision. Senator McEachin said, "I am very disappointed in this determination by the governor. The governor proposed this previously and the General Assembly, in a bipartisan vote, denied this plan.

"Public Broadcasting is not just another television channel. For many Virginia families, PBS is an invaluable access to cultural and educational programming. Not all Virginians can afford a night at the theater or at the symphony. Not all Virginia children have the opportunity for early academic exposure. PBS provides these services for every Virginian, with no charge. PBS provides enrichment for all of us, but particularly for those who have limited cultural and educational outlets. The reach and extent of PBS more than magnifies the limited contribution from the Commonwealth.

"I am very disappointed and dismayed in the governor's decision. This kind of shortsighted and restrictive thinking will not help us lift every Virginian and ensure that every Virginian has the education, job skills and access to a range of information to make them successful."