The Richmond Times-Dispatch is reporting that according to the non-partisan Tax Foundation today is tax freedom day, a day that arrives far too late in the year.

We’ve tabulated the results for the first "House Republican Report Card" on our blog, to get a better sense of what the blogosphere thinks of all the Republican Members of Congress. First, I’d just like to thank everyone who participated in this process. Frankly, this post was a bit of an experiment for us – we posed a few critical questions on our performance, then allowed anyone to contribute their opinion on the subject. While I feel that we are doing a better job than our grade reflects–it’s a tough political environment–I also know that we need to look critically at ourselves if we hope to improve.

See the results after the fold.

(more…)

The Richmond Airport continues to succeed, as it welcomes a new airline to its terminals.

“Skybus Airlines, a startup based in the Ohio capital, said yesterday that Richmond will be one of the first seven airports to get nonstop flights, with one-way fares as low as $10 beginning May 23. With fees and taxes, that comes to about $20 for a one-way jaunt and $40.80 for a round trip.”

Be sure to check out this interesting article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch on AirTran Airways.

"AirTran is doing better here than six months to eight months ago. So is JetBlue Airways, the other low-fare carrier serving Richmond International Airport. ‘We have seen improvement in terms of supporting these carriers,’ Dunn said."

AirTran Airways is staying with Richmond, a great development for the airline, for the airport and for our city.

Now that we are in the first recess of the 110th Congress, let’s take a moment to reflect on how House Republicans have performed in the first three months of this year. Fill out the report card after the flip.

(more…)

By now, we’ve all heard about Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s disastrous trip to the Middle East. Speaker Pelosi’s determined attempt to also be Secretary of State has witnesses a high-profile diplomatic disaster the past week.

Most of the Virginians I have spoken to, my friends in Congress and even some usually democrat-friendly newspapers have declared the obvious—Speaker Pelosi was not prepared for the serious task of conducting foreign policy, she misrepresented Israel’s position, and was taken in by a Syrian terrorist.

Unfortunately, House Democrats have remained silent on the trip. They have remained silent on Pelosi’s misrepresentation of Israel’s position. They have remained silent on her assistance to Syrian propaganda efforts.

Pelosi’s decision damaged the security of Middle East and is bad for America.

It is time for House Democrats to hear from you about how unhappy you are with Speaker Pelosi’s trip to Damascus. They need to stop playing politics with America’s national security.