Professor Edwin T. Burton of the University of Virginia Economics Department spoke on the current economic crisis at a Senior Statesmen of Virginia forum on January 14, 2008. Professor Burton is a well known economic expert who is a frequent guest on WINA. He is the former head of the Virginia Retirement System and is the author of the Burton Finance Blog.

 

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Burton received his B.A. in Economics from Rice University in 1964 and his Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University in 1971. He is currently professor of economics at the University of Virginia, a post he has held since 1998. He is also currently a trustee of Virginia Retirement System. His past positions include head of Investment Banking and Municipal Finance at Interstate Johnson Lane from 1994 to 1995, president of Rothschild Financial Services, Inc. from 1987 to 1994, senior vice President of Smith Barney from 1975 to 1984 and assistant and associate professor of economics at Cornell University from 1969 to 1979.

The topic of today’s presentation is “The Financial Crisis - Which Inning Are We In?”. Bill Davis, SSV board member and secretary, moderated today’s program.

Al explained how global warming, if it continues as it is going now, will submerge regions of Tidewater Virginia, and will cause major problems in Virginia agriculture.  The solution to this danger is to greatly reduce emission of fossil carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

 

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On April 9th, 2008, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia hosted Charlottesville-area Delegates David Toscano and Rob Bell. The two reviewed this year’s General Assembly session, and gave a preview of the upcoming veto session. Mike Ludgate serves as the moderator for the event, which was recorded by Dan Daniels with help from Jim Peterson.

 

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• 00:00 - Introduction from Mike Ludgate
• 03:36 - Delegate David Toscano (D-57)
• 09:14 - Delegate Rob Bell (R-58)
• 18:21 - Question on legislation requiring Virginia medical students to take at least one course on geriatric medicine
• 20:47 - Question on transportation funding
• 23:44 - Question on whether the Delegates would support in the gas tax
• 29:34 - The Delegates are asked about their support for mass transit
• 33:40 - Question about regional transportation authorities
• 36:36 - Question about bipartisan redistricting
• 39:20 - “What is the process used to provide support for the schools?”
• 46:00 - Toscano discusses the revenue-sharing agreement between Charlottesville and Albemarle
• 47:32 - Delegate Bell is asked a question about the role of the teacher in cases of bullying
• 50:10 - Question about the state reimbursing dentists who accept patients on Medicaid
• 51:57 - Question about how state lottery funds go to education
• 53:20 - Question about pay-day loans
• 58:50 - Question about using private funding to build roads
• 1:00:20 - “How can we get more support for enlarging and improving rail service in Virginia?”
• 1:02:23 - “Why can’t there be stiffer laws to get the mentally ill into treatment?” (Delegate Toscano had to leave, so the remaining questions are answered only by Delegate Bell)
• 1:08:18 - “What is re-benchmarking?”
• 1:09:38 - “What aren’t Charlottesville and Albemarle County consolidated into one authority?”
• 1:11:52 - A question about prioritizing transportation spending

On April 11, 2007, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia held their monthly meeting at the Northside Library in Charlottesville, VA. The three invited panelists, among the community’s most familiar faces when it comes to discussions of local growth and development issues, shared their views on topics including land use, transportation, population growth, government regulation, and property rights.

The panelists were:

Jack Marshall, Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population
Jeff Werner, Piedmont Environmental Council
Neil Williamson, Free Enterprise Forum

 

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With the Senate race between Jim Webb and George Allen too close to call, Virginia faces the prospect of a second statewide election that goes to a recount. Last November, Democrat Creigh Deeds was locked in an extremely close race for Attorney General with Bob McDonnell, the eventual winner.

Deeds spoke at a public forum of the Senior Statesmen on November 8, 2006, the day after the election. He describes what happened with his recount, and why he thinks a paper trail should be required for all elections. Deeds also offers suggestions for reform to encourage a higher turnout.

 

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On September 13, 2006, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia held a forum on the topic of immigration reform. The speakers are Dale McGlothlin, Chief Operating Officer of the Federation of American Immigration Reform in Washington, D.C., and Tim Freilich, Managing Attorney of the Virginia Justice Center for Farm and Immigrant Workers.

 

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