Capital News Service
February 2, 2010

Families are struggling more than ever to pay their bills during the current economic crisis. So payday lenders have sprouted up to serve people who want quick loans and checks cashed. But what do these lenders really cost people and society?

A lot, say legislators and advocates for lower-income Virginians.

...

"The notion of predatory lending, the fact that we allow it to exist, speaks to our moral values. It speaks to who we are as Virginians," McEachin said. "This plague on our society, this plague on us as Virginians, needs to be eradicated."

Richmond Times-Dispatch
January 27, 2010

Hurt, running in a crowded field for the GOP nomination, likened McDonnell's policies to those of the late President Ronald Reagan, a proponent of low taxes and reduced regulation...

That prompted Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, to scold McDonnell for failing to meet what McEachin described as the "standards of leadership."

The Virginian Pilot
January 16, 2010

Political and business leaders announced Friday the formation of a group to promote building a wind energy farm off the coast and to attract businesses to supply what members hope will be an emerging green industry.

Members of the new group, the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition, said they want to make Hampton Roads and Virginia a national wind energy hub.

...

He estimated the industry could create 10,000 jobs and be worth $80 billion to the region.

Associated Press
Jan. 12, 2010

Legislators who worked for months to come up with a compromise over how to regulate Virginia's car title lenders failed to reach a deal Tuesday, the day before the General Assembly session begins.

That means any legislation to rein in the high-interest lenders must be worked out during a frenzied 60-day session...

Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, said he was disheartened that the committee didn't accomplish anything.

"We got nothing from the House, nothing from the Republicans whatsoever to even begin the discussion with," he said. "We just spent the entire summer working on this issue, and for there to be no answers from the other side is disappointing."

...

Democratic State Senator Donald McEachin is expected to announce on Wednesday a bill which would mandate an energy efficiency standard for the Commonwealth. The bill will require utility companies to implement energy efficiency programs and reduce energy consumption among customers by more than 12 percent by 2022. The state already has a similar energy goal but it's voluntary.

"We'll see more people getting into the business than we're already seeing right now and with that means more jobs and new people coming in and being put to work," says [Chelsea Harnish, with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network].

Harnish says the bill will create 8,000 new jobs.

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RichmondBizSense.com
October 1, 2009

On the same day U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer introduced their version of federal climate change legislation, a handful of local environmental advocates gathered for a midday powwow at the Qimonda plant in Sandston to support its passage.

...

"Over 2,000 people lost their jobs here at Qimonda," said Besa. "They were highly skilled in working with silicone chips, the same raw material that goes into photovoltaics. If this passes, this will be a significant incentive for businesses to make an investment in facilities like this."

State Sen. Donald McEachin, who represents the district at the Qimonda plant, said that the bill would have a positive economic impact in Virginia.

"I still am in communication with those workers, they are still looking for a chance to keep their homes and families here," McEachin said.

Richmond Free Press
February 19, 2009

When Odessa Smith met former President Bill Clinton, she was "excited and nervous."

But (President Clinton) is so warm, so personable," she said.

Mrs. Smith and her husband, Gus, wanted to meet the 42^nd president to thank him for giving their only child, Kemba Smith, her freedom.

"His face just lit up when he found who we were," Mrs. Smith said.

Richmond Times-Dispatch
February 4, 2009

Sen. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) has just introduced a bill (SB 1447) in the Virginia General Assembly that achieves the three core goals of a good efficiency policy. The bill would keep power demand mostly constant through 2025 as a matter of state mandate, not a voluntary "goal." It would apply to aggregate annual power demand, not just "peak" use during

Richmond Times-Dispatch
January 29, 2009 editorial in support of legislation introduced by Senator McEachin and Delegate Jennifer McClellan.

Some straightforward legislation moving through the General Assembly this session presents a refreshing measure of clarity amid the housing mess. Companion bills sponsored by Sen. Donald McEachin and Del. Jennifer McClellan -- known collectively as the Trust in Lending Act -- would place a legal duty on mortgage brokers to act in the best interests of their clients, just as doctors, lawyers, bankers, and other professionals are expected to. It is astounding that brokers are not already held to this utterly reasonable standard.