On voting rights for felons

Both chambers have passed constitutional amendments making it easier for felons to vote, and each has passed the other’s proposal but must reconcile differences.

The Senate agreed to HJ 555 Friday and the House passed SJ 272 earlier last week.

Under Virginia’s Constitution, the legislature would have to approve the amendment again next year, following November’s election for delegates, in order for it to go to voters.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Gov. Pedro Pierluisi announced Tuesday that a federal control board reached a key deal that would reduce the U.S. territory’s overall debt by nearly 80%, but that his administration is rejecting it amid concerns about cuts to the island’s crumbling public pension system.

The impasse between Gov. Pedro Pierluisi and a board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances threatens to throw into limbo attempts to end a bankruptcy-like process for a government that six years ago declared unpayable its more than $70 billion public debt load.

Pierluisi added that finalizing the restructuring of a portion of Puerto Rico’s debt is a priority for his administration, but not at the expense of retirees.

I recently returned home from the Portsmouth Sportsplex after receiving my first COVID-19 vaccination. I have to say that I was blown away by the efficiency of the health department’s operation. The way they process and vaccinate citizens is a site to behold. My only delay whatsoever was the 15 minutes I had to wait after receiving the vaccination to insure that I did not have a reaction to the vaccine. In all my years I have never observed a state or city operation run so smoothly. Most often we are quick to complain about such endeavors. This is certainly not the case here. Kudos to the Virginia and Portsmouth health departments.

LeRoy Reynolds, Portsmouth