Bob-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Gov. Bob McDonnell
Bob-O-Meter Scorecard
- Promise Kept 23 (%)
- Compromise 9 (%)
- Promise Broken 3 (%)
- Stalled 4 (%)
- In the Works 7 (%)
- Not yet rated 2 (%)
PolitiFact Virginia has compiled promises that Bob McDonnell made during the 2010 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Bob-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See our About the Bob-o-meter page for details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Bob-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Increase funding for Virginia Teaching Scholarship Program
The Promise:
Over the course of the McDonnell administration, we will increase the amount of funding available for the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Program and set aside a portion of the funds specifically for STEM and career technical education shortage areas.
Reduce still births, low birth weights and improve child health care
The Promise:
"By maintaining (Medicaid) eligibility for pregnant mothers at current levels and promoting education and care for pregnant mothers, we will reduce low birth weights, still births, and long-term health issues for children who will be enrolled after birth in Medicaid programs."
Appoint public school turnaround leader
The Promise:
As governor, Bob McDonnell will appoint a public school turnaround leader, at the Department of Education, whose sole mission will be to focus on the underperforming schools and set in motion urgent plans to eliminate obstacles to success.
Consolidate workforce training programs
The Promise:
We will consolidate the 23 different workforce training programs we have that are currently spread across nine state agencies and make our community colleges the hub of our workforce training efforts.
Audit the Department of Medical Assistance Services
The Promise:
"As governor, Bob McDonnell will require an independent performance audit of the Department of Medical Assistance Services seeking cost savings while streamlining bureaucratic red tape and eliminating waste."
Seek tougher penalties for gang recruitment
The Promise:
To adequately punish those engaged in recruiting members into gangs, McDonnell will propose that this offense be increased to a Class 6 felony. Additionally, while the current holds that an adult who solicits, invites, recruits or encourages a juvenile to actively participate or become a member of a gang is guilty of a Class 6 felony, McDonnell will propose that the General Assembly elevate this offense to a Class 5 felony.
Award 100,000 additional degrees
The Promise:
McDonnell's plan for higher education includes "100,000 additional Associates and Bachelors' Degrees over the next 15 years."
Consolidate asset forfeiture laws
The Promise:
Will propose amendments to asset forfeiture laws in 2011 General Assembly session.
Seek tougher identity theft laws
The Promise:
McDonnell will propose legislation to toughen Virginia’s identity theft laws. Individuals who obtain identities with the intent to sell or distribute them will be subject to a Class 4 felony. Further, in addition to any other offenses (grand larceny, for example), thieves who use stolen identities to buy merchandise, to impersonate a law enforcement officer, or to impede a criminal investigation, will be subject to a Class 5 felony.
Seek tougher penalties for crimes against elderly
The Promise:
McDonnell will propose legislation to create a greater deterrent for, and to punish more harshly, those crimes where the victims are ruthlessly selected due to their age and perceived vulnerability.
Ban gifts during procurement process
The Promise:
Ban gifts over a certain amount to the executive department during the procurement process.
Implement drug education program
The Promise:
McDonnell will implement a standard for programs that teach students how drugs can negatively impact physical and mental health, as well as the social consequences of substance abuse that reach children at a variety of ages.
Start performance pay program
The Promise:
"Bob McDonnell will establish a pilot program for performance pay for state managers."
Seek increase in crime conviction fees
The Promise:
Governor McDonnell will propose an increase to the mandatory statutory fee for conviction of crimes. The fee for a misdemeanor will increase from $5 to $15, and the fee for a felony will increase from $15 to $40.
Seek telecommuter tax credit
The Promise:
As governor, Bob McDonnell will build bipartisan consensus behind a plan to grant a tax credit to employers for expenses incurred in allowing employees to telecommute pursuant to a signed telwork agreement.
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