The governor discussed revenues and taxes, spending and saving and said Virginia is currently missing out on $250-300 million a year that it could collect under the Marketplace Fairness Act. He is asking Congress to pass this legislation so internet sales are taxed the same was as brick-and-mortar sales.

Hoping to bring down the cost of generic drugs, Virginia's Attorney General Mark R. Herring on Dec. 16 joined with 18 other state attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit against six generic drug-makers. The suit alleges that the firms conspired to artificially inflate and manipulate prices and to reduce competition in the market for two drugs in the United States: doxycycline hyclate delayed release, an antibiotic, and glyburide, an oral diabetes medication.

Today marks the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights in Virginia’s historic State Capitol on December 15, 1791. Drafted by Virginian and founding father, James Madison, who was inspired by his colleague George Mason’s revolutionary Virginia Declaration of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution were penned in direct response to calls from the states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.

Governor McAuliffe’s budget proposal for 2017-18 includes $31.7 million in new funds to expand and improve treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorder services in state facilities, community services boards, and in local and regional jails as well as a comprehensive evaluation of Virginia’s behavioral health system.

The public is invited to learn about and provide input on two important initiatives tonight, Dec. 14, at the Virginia Department of Transportation’s District Office in Fairfax. There will be an open house, atown hall meeting on prioritizing transportation projects in the region, and a public hearing to receive formal comment on the Atlantic Gateway projects.

Through a competitive bid process, a private-sector team, Express Mobility Partners (Cintra /Meridiam/Ferrovial/Allan Myers), has been selected to implement the planned project, upgrading 25 miles of I-66 between U.S. 15/Haymarket and I-495. The partners will pay the $2.3 billion costs of construction, with an eye to recouping its investment and making a profit in the future.

Canatal Steel USA, a subsidiary of Canada-based Canatal Industries and a producer of steel structure fabrication, will invest $1.5 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Botetourt County. The expansion project will create 38 new jobs, according to a news release.

Virginia Department of Transportation says its crews are taking advantage of conditions today, Dec. 14, and Thursday, Dec. 15, to treat roads with anti-icing materials in northern Virginia, in anticipation of low temperatures through the rest of week and the potential for wintry precipitation over the weekend.