Morning Read: Seriously, No Medicaid Expansion Under McDonnell

Gov. Bob McDonnell sent a strongly-worded letter to the Obama administration Tuesday ruling out Medicaid expansion in Virginia under his tenure as governor.

The AP reports that in a seven paragraph letter, McDonnell clearly tells U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that he will not be opting into the expansion of the federal-state health program for the poor, elderly and disabled.

"As Governor, while the decision currently rests with me on whether or not to expand, I am not going to do so given the vast reform required to make our program cost effective," he wrote.

McDonnell says that this letter represents no change in his view on Medicaid expansion, but was meant to clarify some reports wrongly suggesting that he would expand Medicaid to 400,000 Virginia residents just above the poverty level.

The Washington Post editorial board criticized McDonnell Monday for obstructing Medicaid expansion in his state.

IN OTHER NEWS:

* The Maryland Senate voted in favor of the death penalty repeal Tuesday in a preliminary vote. The chamber narrowly rejected an amendment that would have allowed executions of people who kill in schools and child-care centers. (Washington Post)

Former D.C. Councilman Kwame Brown’s brother was sentenced to three months in prison for bank fraud. (News4)

* The beleaguered Dulles Rail project board is paying $90,000 for an image makeover. (Washington Examiner)

* The man who allegedly financed Mayor Gray’s shadow campaign, Jeff Thompson, had wanted to keep millions of pages of personal and business records sealed. But a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that he must let prosecutors sift through the documents. (Washington Post)

* Councilmember Vincent Orange is hoping some extra cash will help the D.C. statehood fight. (DCist)

* Mayor Gray is vying to keep the FBI in the District and just submitted a proposal to relocate the headquarters to Poplar Point. (Washington City Paper)

* D.C. Council is considering a bill that would require gun owners to buy at least $250,000 in liability insurance. (Washington Post)

* Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is planning a fundraiser with his best bud Bill Clinton at James Carville’s New Orlean’s home. (NBC12)

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