Columns
Latest Columns
COLUMN — Mandatory minimum sentencing could be repealed
The 2021 General Assembly session began Jan. 13. The Senate will meet in person while the House remains virtual. I have added links below for ... Read more
21 hours ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — Our divisions have resulted in a constitutional crisis
The orderly transfer of presidential authority failed to materialize this year. The political divisions in this country have devolved into a constitutional crisis. The head ... Read more
2 days ago by Angus McClellan.
COLUMN – Return to political norms would be welcomed
One of the results of the Donald Trump administration has been to obliterate any norms and traditions of the presidency, culminating in the incitement of ... Read more
3 days ago by Roger Watson.
Column — What will 2021 look like?
For months now, everywhere I have gone, people have been saying, “I can’t wait until 2020 is over.” With all that has occurred in the ... Read more
1 week ago by Frank Ruff.
Short session to begin Jan. 13
As you may already be aware, when the General Assembly meets for its 2021 session, the House of Delegates will meet 100% virtually. The Senate ... Read more
1 week ago by Tommy Wright.
Higher taxes for high income workers proposed
As 2020 draws to a close, I cannot help but reflect on the unusual nature of this year as we prepare for the 2021 session. ... Read more
1 week ago by Guest Columnist.
Column — Do COVID relief packages violate principles of taxation?
The purpose of this column is to provide the readers with some thoughts on three constitutional principles in the hope that they may consider them ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Angus McClellan.
Column — Reflections on a difficult 2020
Everyone comes out of 2020 with a story. Here at The Farmville Herald, it has been our privilege to help tell some of those stories ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Roger Watson.
Column – Wishes for a great holiday season
Christine and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. This is a time to celebrate with family and be close ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Denver Riggleman.
A new way to formulate the state budget
Every year, the most important thing that the governor of Virginia does is produce a budget or a revised budget. Yet, way too frequently, a ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Hang on, help is on the way
“Help is on the way,” Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill yelled to the small number of Tampa Bay fans gathered behind the Chiefs’ ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Roger Watson.
COLUMN — First doses of vaccine have come to Virginia
Thanks to the hard work of doctors, scientists and Operation Warp Speed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two coronavirus vaccines in record time with more on ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN – Where’s the science behind new restrictions?
My office has been helping Virginians in the 59th District with Virginia Employment Commission issues since the beginning of the pandemic. As of last week, ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — Riggleman leaves with dignity intact
U.S. Rep. Denver Riggleman gave his farewell speech to Congress this past week, saying many of the things we as a nation need to hear ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Roger Watson.
Riggleman says farewell to Congress
These last two years serving as your representative in Congress have been an honor of a lifetime. As my time in Congress comes to an ... Read more
1 month ago by Denver Riggleman.
Thoughts on the placement of the Confederate statue
The Farmville Town Council has yet to make a final decision on where or whether the Confederate Heroes statue will stand. According to the town, ... Read more
1 month ago by Angus McClellan.
China should be held accountable
After a joyous Thanksgiving break, I was glad to return to the House of Representatives last week to conduct legislative business on behalf of the ... Read more
1 month ago by Denver Riggleman.
Should we really legalize marijuana?
Over the years that I have been in the General Assembly, there has always been an effort by some to change the laws on the ... Read more
1 month ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Letting go may be healthier than holding on
Sometimes when I hop in bed to get some sleep, I go to pull the covers up only to find I’ve tucked them in so ... Read more
1 month ago by Alexa Massey.
Is climate change really an existential threat?
Remember John Stossel? For those who don’t remember him or never heard of him, Stossel made it big a generation or two ago when he ... Read more
1 month ago by Frank Ruff.
Thanks to those on the front lines of COVID-19
I hope you had a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving celebration with your loved ones last week. Although this holiday season looks different for many ... Read more
1 month ago by Denver Riggleman.
We need big ideas to expand broadband
In the past year we have seen lots of grant money flow into local governments earmarked for increasing broadband access. But how do local governments ... Read more
2 months ago by Roger Watson.
COLUMN — Opioid Grant Act passes House unanimously
I am proud to announce that earlier this week, my original bill, H.R. 2466, the State Opioid Grant Authorization Act of 2020, passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support. ... Read more
2 months ago by Denver Riggleman.
COLUMN — Blessings and opportunities abound
This holiday season for most, if not all of us, looks different this year. I am mindful that along with challenges come blessings and opportunities. ... Read more
2 months ago by bettyramsey.
Some taxes unfairly affect rural Virginia
We all want to be treated fairly. Sometimes we do not like government policies at the federal, state, or local levels, but if it affects ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — My biggest Thanksgiving fails
One Thanksgiving Day when I was a tiny kid, I was sitting in the kitchen watching my mom and my nana put the final touches ... Read more
2 months ago by Alexa Massey.
COLUMN — Working to keep promises to veterans
This week, we paused to pay special tribute to all the brave men and women who serve our country and risk their lives to keep ... Read more