General Assembly 2011

Among the major issues: The state's continuing efforts to provide services with fewer dollars and Gov. McDonnell's plan to privatize liquor stores. Session ends Feb. 26.

The latest

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• Va. Senate votes to restrict local government land grabs
• House advances “personhood” and abortion ultrasound bills

From today's paper

• 'Personhood' bill set for vote today
• Eminent domain bill passes in Virginia Senate
• General Assembly Notebook: House advances capital punishment bill
• Follow state and local political coverage from The Roanoke Times

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Botetourt County lawyer Bill Cleaveland joined a crowded race for the House of Delegates on Monday, when he formally announced he is seeking the Republican nomination in the 17th District.

With Cleaveland, the list of candidates running for the party's nod on June 9 has grown to five.

In remarks to about 75 supporters outside his law office, Cleaveland pitched himself as a "blend of Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan" -- a conservative who believes in low taxes and small government.

The 58-year-old Republican raised his platform on the pillars of education and transportation, public safety and economic development. And the foundation of this position was family values, he said, as an "amen" was murmured from the crowd.

With two months to the primary, how was Cleaveland angling for the nomination?

"Work hard, don't sleep and meet the people," said Steve Mabry, Cleaveland's campaign manager.

Cleaveland, who has practiced law in the Roanoke Valley for 30 years, picked up a pair of endorsements, too.

In his introduction, Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom backed his longtime friend for the seat. Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle, who was absent, also supported the candidate, Branscom said.

The 17th seat currently belongs to William Fralin of Roanoke, a Republican who said in February he was stepping down. To GOP observers, the district should be staying red.

"It's going to take a lot of Terry McAuliffe's money to flip the 17th," said Greg Habeeb, chairman of the Salem Republican Committee, who attended the midday announcement.

-- Pete Dybdahl

Martin Jeffrey floats plan for regional health care

Martin Jeffrey proposed a plan for regional health care funded largely by Carilion Clinic, insurance companies and local governments during a news conference Monday.

Jeffrey is challenging three-term incumbent Onzlee Ware of Roanoke for the Democratic nomination for the 11th District seat in the House of Delegates. They will face off in a June 9 primary.

Jeffrey spoke to the media and a small group of supporters in a midday news conference at the Gainsboro Library.

Although he said details of the plan were still being worked out, individuals and families without health insurance would be able to join the plan by paying "a basic flat fee per resident based on income."

Jeffrey said that Carilion takes in tens of millions of dollars in funds that would be paid in taxes were it not a nonprofit, and that, nationally, health care insurers make hundreds of billions in profits. Part of that money should be used to help pay for health care for the uninsured, he said.

Jeffrey said that his vision for 100 percent employment for "every able-bodied and willing person" includes expanding hours and routes for Valley Metro buses, and the use of federal stimulus funds for projects such as improving public housing and infrastructure, such as water and sewer service in Vinton.

He also proposed tax incentives for "green" businesses and the creation of a "Greencubator" for small-business development.

Jeffrey reiterated his previous pledge not to take campaign contributions from anyone who doesn't live, work or own a business in the 11th District, which includes portions of Roanoke and Roanoke County.

Ware, who is scheduled to officially announce the opening of his campaign for re-election today, also has one announced Republican opponent, Troy Bird.

-- Cody Lowe

McDonnell gets $1 million from national GOP group

If there had been any doubt about the national attention Virginia's governor's race will receive this year, the Republican Governors Association may have put it to rest last month.

The RGA pumped $1 million into the campaign of Bob McDonnell, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, on March 11, according to the state board of elections and the Virginia Public Access Project. Virginia and New Jersey are the only states electing governors this year, and McDonnell's campaign is attracting attention of national Republicans seeking to reverse the party's recent election fortunes.

"Everyone knows this is an important race with national implications, and we welcome the support of the Republican Governors Association," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said. "It will help us take Bob McDonnell's positive message of new jobs and more opportunity to every region of the state."

Candidates have until April 15 to file complete finance reports covering the first three months of this year with the elections board.

-- Associated Press