Story
Ready to work
New RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras rolls out ambitious 100-day plan just days after being sworn into office
The new Richmond Public Schools chief wasted no time getting to work. Just four days after being sworn in, Superintendent Jason Kamras on Monday night rolled out his plan to get RPS moving.
Story
End of the road for free rides on GRTC?
GRTC’s current free fare program was supposed to remain in place through June 2025, but now is at risk of ending far sooner. The regional bus company eliminated fares soon after the pandemic hit in March 2020 with the help of state and federal grants. That change has helped regular bus riders save thousands of dollars in transit costs. The program appeared on course to be extended for an ad- ditional three years after the state awarded GRTC an $8 million grant five months ago. Now transit advocates are raising alarm that the no fare program could end as soon January 2023 for lack of financial backing, most notably from City Hall. According to transit advocates, Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who has repeatedly stated he would keep GRTC fare-free through his term, has put the zero-fare initiative at risk by failing to keep his pledge to provide the required matching funds for the grant. Without notice, he rejected the request of his new internal Of- fice of Equitable Transit to include $1 million in local matching funds for the state grant in his proposed budget for 2022-23. Nor has he indicated any plans for the city alone, or in concert with its regional GRTC partners, Chesterfield and Henrico coun- ties, to provide the matching $3 million required in 2023-24 and the matching $5 million required in the 2024-25 fiscal year. At a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Stoney defended his decision. He first told reporters that GRTC has “plenty of money” and can cover the match itself. He said the 2020 hike in the regional sales and gas tax to boost funding for transportation through the new Central Virginia Transit Authority, or CVTA, has increased regional support for public transit to record levels. Later in the news conference, the mayor asserted that his spending plan actually includes the $1 million, which was not broken out. That also was the statement given to the Free Press by the mayor’s press secretary, Jim Nolan. However, the only increase in subsidy his proposed budget plan provides to GRTC is $600,000. His proposal is to increase the current GRTC subsidy of $8 million to $8.6 million, still about half the $16 million the city provided GRTC yearly before the General Assembly created the CVTA two years ago. That $6 million increase, he stated in the budget message he delivered to City Council in early March, is needed to meet a state requirement that was part of the CVTA legislation. Under that requirement, localities in the authority must raise the transit subsidy yearly to reflect the increase in inflation recorded by the Consumer Price Index. Some of that increase in city subsidy also is earmarked for new bus shelters. The first warning that the zero-fare policy might not survive came in an April 18 post on the Greater Washington blog that was filed by Wyatt Gordon, a policy manager for land use and transportation at the Virginia Conservation Network. According to Mr. Gordon, the mayor and his administration rejected the request from the new internal Office of Equitable Transit to provide the $1 million in matching funds, putting the zero-fare initiative at risk. The Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell, GRTC board chairman, confirmed that the free fare service could end sooner than anticipated if additional funds are not provided. He noted that federal CARES Act money that has helped support the program is drying up and the continuation of free fares would require a financial commitment from the city and the two counties to cover the increasing cost. He said the big question for GRTC’s board is whether free fares are sustainable. The advocacy group RVA Rapid Transit is urging City Council to save the zero-fare program for at least another year by adding $1 million to the GRTC subsidy to protect riders — a majority of whom live well below the median income — from a major hit to their pocketbooks. In an email, Faith Walker, the group’s executive director, called on the council to embrace 1st District Councilman Andreas D. Addison’s amendment to add the $1 million when the governing body meets Friday, April 22, to complete its work on the city’s 2022-23 operating budget. That budget goes into effect July 1. Mr. Addison supports fare-free transit and believes the city can afford the cost, but it is not yet clear that he can muster a five-member majority to back the $1 million additional GRTC subsidy. Ms. Walker called it a matter of equity — a topic the mayor has preached about—noting that half the regular bus riders have incomes at or below $25,000 a year, with at least one in four hav- ing incomes of $10,000 a year or less. Removing transit fares has helped boost the standard of living for those riders, she stated. Council members have advanced more than $22 million in budget amendments, including the proposal to boost the GRTC subsidy. But the members have shown little appetite to date for making cuts in the mayor’s spending plan to pay for their proposals, and at this moment, have only about $2.7 million in additional funds to spend.
Story
Make it count
It looks like 2016 all over again in the Democratic primary as voters prepare to decide whether Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam or former Congressman Tom S. Perriello will carry the party’s banner into the November race for governor. Last year, Hillary Clinton, with the backing of the Democratic establishment, battled Bernie Sanders, the darling of the party’s left wing, for the presidential nomination. This time, Virginia’s Democratic Party establishment is backing Lt. Gov. Northam, 57, while the Sanders camp is pushing Mr.
Story
Richmond Folk Festival kicks off this weekend
Sunny, cool weather is being forecast for this weekend when one of virginia’s largest free events returns: The Richmond Folk Festival.
Story
Obamas’ personal chef drowns near family’s home
Former President Obama’s personal chef has drowned near the family’s home on Martha’s Vineyard.
Story
VUU defeats Elizabeth City 87-71 on live TV
Harding, Osborne score 17 points each
Tahj Harding looks good on camera.
Story
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights announces housing assistance guide
In response to rising levels of housing insecurity, the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services has created a digital housing assistance guide to help residents access critical resources at their convenience.
Story
Willie Anne Wright’s retrospective to open at VMFA
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibit, “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist,” will be on view Oct. 21 to April 28, 2024. Admission will be free.
Story
SPCA’s 2024 Rock the Block Party
The Richmond SPCA’s signature Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party drew dog lovers from near and far on Saturday, March 23, at the nonprofit’s humane center on Hermitage Road.
Story
‘Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design’ opens at Jamestown
he Jamestown Settlement is hosting an exhibition high-lighting the work of Ruth E. Carter, a distinguished figure in costume design and a recipient of two Academy Awards.
Story
VCU alum Jeffrey Blount to discuss new book
Award-winning author Jeffrey Blount will discuss his new book, “Mr. Jimmy From Around the Way,” from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s James Branch Cabell Library.
Story
Like the swastika, Confederate flag stands for hate
I am getting sick and tired of hearing people complaining about taking down the Confederate flag at the South Carolina statehouse. What is it with these people always crying the blues over that flag and the fact the South lost the war 150 years ago?
Story
2017 Freedom Classic Festival starts next week
The 2017 Freedom Classic Festival, which celebrates the annual I-95 sports matchup between Virginia State and Virginia Union universities, will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a weekend full of family friendly activities.
Story
Kudos to governor, mayor on dedication to climate issues
I am glad to see Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney doing their part to ensure that people are provided with clean energy, a clean environment and green jobs that will boost the economy.
Story
Maggie Walker statue to be dedicated on her birthday July 15
City officials plan to dedicate the new Maggie L. Walker statue Downtown on July 15, the 153rd birthday of the Richmond businesswoman and great.
Story
‘We love our animals to death — literally’
Today’s 10 highest grossing box office releases are about animals. They include “Finding Dory,” “The Jungle Book,” “Zootopia,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Kung Fu Panda.” Nearly half of our households include a dog and nearly 40 percent have a cat. Two-thirds of us view them as family members and cherish them accordingly. We love our animals to death — literally.
Story
Wakanda forever!
Re “Chadwick Boseman, who brought icons to life on the silver screen, dies at 43,” Free Press Sept. 3-5 edition:
Story
And wise...
Editorials
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus wisely offered alternative events Tuesday in Richmond remembering the Africans who were brought to Virginia 400 years ago in 1619.
Story
Advocacy groups bracing for change
President-elect Donald Trump pledged during his campaign to “Make America Great Again” by building a wall between the United States and Mexico, nationalizing stop-and-frisk policing, banning Muslim immigration, de-funding Planned Parenthood and dismantling federal policies, including environmental protections.
Story
Curry rightly earns MVP crown after averaging 31.2 points in Finals
Legends such as Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all visited the NBA mountaintop. Now it’s Steph Curry’s turn to enjoy the view from the best seat on the summit.
