Week in review

Inmates to maintain rest stops

Bills allowing inmates to maintain Virginia's rest stops have cleared both houses, but not without debate that doing so could hurt public safety and Virginia's image.

The Senate passed the bill on a 26-14 vote Wednesday after questions by legislators on both sides of the aisle about how the inmates would be supervised and what message it sends to visitors. The House also passed a bill on a 74-24 vote.

Sen. Emmett Hanger said his bill would save the state money. The state currently contracts with private companies to provide the labor, but could pay the Department of Corrections $1.50 per hour for the work. All work would be outside the rest stops, such as mowing the grass, fixing the roofs, and landscaping.

McDonnell potential VP candidate?

Gov. Bob McDonnell might be a contender for the GOP vice presidential candidacy in 2012, according to an article published Tuesday by Politico.com. McDonnell is one of 15 fresh GOP candidates elected to governorships in 2010. The article predicted that one of the new state executives might be a VP candidate in 2012-or a potential presidential candidate in 2016.

$250,000 in 2010

Members of the General Assembly disclosed more than $250,000 worth of free meals, gifts and travel last year, according to a report that the Virginia Public Access Project released last week. Top gift recipients included Sen. William Wampler, Jr. (R-Dist. 40), Sen. John Watkins (R-Dist. 10), Del. Onzlee Ware (D-Dist. 10), Del. Riley Ingram (R.-Dist. 62), and Del. Thomas Greason (R-Dist. 32). Among other benefits, legislators accepted trips to China, Taiwan, France, and Turkey from lobbying organizations.

Under Virginia law, public officials must report all gifts valued at more than $50.

First black chief justice dies

Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy Hassell Sr., the state's first black chief justice, died Wednesday at age 55. Hassell was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-Gov. Gerald L. Baliles in 1989. In 2003 he became the court's first black chief justice and the 24th overall. He held the post until the end of last month.

A Norfolk native, Hassell graduated from the University of Virginia and Harvard Law School, then returned to Richmond where he became a partner in the politically muscular McGuire Woods law firm. When he joined the Supreme Court at age 34, he became the second black justice on the court after John Charles Thomas. The court disclosed his death in a brief statement Wednesday that didn't include cause of death or other details.

For the dogs

An animal rights group is raising money to buy NFL star Michael Vick's former dogfighting compound in Surry County, Va., and turn it into a rehabilitation center for chained and penned dogs.

Dogs Deserve Better of Tipton, Pa., says it has until March 20 to raise nearly $600,000 to buy the 4,600-square-foot house. The house sits on 15 acres and once served as headquarters for the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation. Dogs Deserve Better says its ultimate goal is to raise $3 million to buy the site, install fencing and build a facility for the dogs. The house would be used for offices.

The Associated Press contributed to this report