In the current budget environment, state employees are not receiving cost of living adjustments to offset the impacts of inflation.  Hold state contracts to the same standard that we are holding employees.   In other words,  For multi-year contracts that allow cost escalations (these escalations are usually based on the percentage change in the applicable Consumer Price Index), don't increase the contract price.   This will save the Commonwealth money in the short term which is the immediate need.

It may be too late know but if VA were to raise the gas tax slowly as gas prices continue to fall, we could increase revenue. It should only be raised by a fraction of the price decrease. For example, if the state average price falls 10 cents in a week, increase the gas tax by 5 cents. Residents would still see prices fall AND we would still recieve tax revenues. This money should be directly earmarked to benefit the city/county that it is collected in. For regions (i.e Hampton Roads, Northern VA, Richmond Area, etc), however, the money should benefit the region as a whole.

This can save MORE than the dangerous mercury light bulbs.  These days, any Lowes or Home Depot can sell you a motion-sensing light switch which will turn the lights OFF after there has been no motion for a period of time.  NOTE that you can ADJUST the period of time.  (Anyone can do it.  You just lift up the cover and swivel a screw with a screwdriver.)  So there is NO reason for anyone to resist this.  The lights then come on again automatically when motion is detected (assuming the light is otherwise switched on).   All you have to do is turn off t