March 2012
1 post
Former Rep. Tom Davis backs Romney
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has picked up the support of former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, who served in Congress 1995 to 2008.
“Mitt Romney is a leader who has proved numerous times that he can be counted on to turn troubled organizations around, whether it was in business, the Winter Olympics, or as governor of Massachusetts,” Davis said in a news release. “That is...
February 2012
64 posts
Teachers plan rallies around the state
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA
The Virginia Education Association is planning rallies around the state on Saturday in support of public education, including a “wake” in Charlottesville.
The teachers association says the events come as the legislature considers K-12 education funding and “bills that would slash retirement benefits and threaten teachers’ job security.”
A “Wake for Public Education” will...
UPDATED: McDonnell signs breast density bill among...
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA Gov. Bob McDonnell’s signature on a bill repealing the state’s one handgun a month law drew attention yesterday, but the governor has signed many other pieces of legislation in recent days.
Among the bills that have secured his signature is a measure that tells the state Board of Health to establish guidelines requiring offices where mammography services are provided to include...
PAC launches in response to social bills
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA A new political action committee has formed to defeat lawmakers who voted in favor of legislation requiring women to receive an ultrasound before an abortion, and the “Personhood” bill, which would define life as beginning at conception.
Women’s Strike Force says on its web site that it’s dedicated to recruiting and supporting candidates opposing legislators who supported the two...
McDonnell to meet with families of shooting...
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA
A spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell says his office is working on scheduling a conversation between the governor and family of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, who requested a meeting about legislation to repeal the state’s one handgun a month law. The legislation is before the governor for action, and he is expected to sign the bill.
“We believe the Commonwealth...
Albo looks for lighter side of abortion debate
BY WESLEY P. HESTER After a tumultuous week at the state Capitol, Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, attempted to lighten the mood Friday by jokingly requesting an apology from his colleague, Del. David L. Englin, D-Alexandria.
With musical accompaniment.
In a speech on the House floor, Albo said that Tuesday night, after a day of intense debate over a contentious measure to require women to...
All aboard caboose budget
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA The House of Delegates unanimously approved changes to the current 2010-12 budget this afternoon, but members have not yet started discussions about the upcoming 2012-14 budget. The chamber approved the “caboose budget” after rejecting an amendment proposed by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, which would direct the governor to ensure that no state...
Following advancement of abortion measures,...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Immediately following a Senate committee’s advancement of two abortion-related bills, about 300 people gathered along 9th Street at the state Capitol to decry the measures and rally for women’s rights.
At first, the group, mostly women, gathered on the western side of the street, facing off with a handful of anti-abortion protesters opposite them.
While the hundreds of...
Republicans offer amendment to weaken ultrasound...
A Republican amendment to legislation that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound is being offered that would make transvaginal ultrasounds optional.
As written, the bill would require ultrasounds regardless of the method. Early in a woman’s pregnancy, the more common method would be through a vaginal probe.
That has sparked outcry from Democrats and...
House passes Senate's repeal of one-gun-a-month
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
As one version of legislation to repeal the state’s one-handgun-a-month law awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell’s signature, the state’s House of Delegates passed another one Wednesday.
The chamber voted 64-32 to approve Senate Bill 323, sponsored by Sen. Charles W. Carrico Sr., R-Grayson.
Both measures would lift the state’s 18-year-old ban on the sale of more than one ...
House rejects attempt to re-refer ultrasound bill
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA & WESLEY P. HESTER
The House of Delegates has rejected an attempt from the body’s minority leader to send a measure to require ultrasounds before abortions back to the House Courts of Justice Committee.
The motion from Del. David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, failed on a 33-67 vote.
Toscano urged the body to send the contentious bill back for more work and additional...
"The Daily Show" takes aim at abortion measure as...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Jon Stewart and “The Daily Show” on Tuesday night became the latest to satirize a pending measure in Virginia’s legislature that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion.
In most cases, the ultrasound would have to be performed vaginally because the procedure is performed in the first trimester.
That has led many to fierce opposition from...
House again delays vote on ultrasound measure
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA The House of Delegates again deferred action on a measure that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion, after Democrats tried unsuccessfully to pass the bill by indefinitely. That motion failed 32-68, putting the bill back before the chamber for a vote tomorrow. “No longer is the national conversation about Virginia being the best...
Senate drug screen bill sent to House money panel
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA A Senate measure to drug screen some welfare recipients was sent this morning to the House of Delegates’ money committee — the same panel that voted earlier this session to carry over a House version of the measure to 2013 to study the costs. The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee this morning conformed the bill brought by Sen. Stephen Martin,...
McDonnell to attend Michigan event for Romney
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA Coming off of weekend travel in Kansas and Missouri, Gov. Bob McDonnell leaves today for Michigan, where he’ll speak at the Kent County Lincoln Day Dinner in Grand Rapids as a surrogate for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He’ll also hold a conference call for reporters this afternoon with the Michigan attorney general in support of Romney. Michigan’s...
House delays votes on contentious measures
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
With hundreds protesting outside the Capitol, multiple contentious bills that appeared poised for final passage today were delayed by the state’s House of Delegates.
The chamber pushed back votes on a measure that would require an ultrasound of all women considering an abortion as well as adoption- and gun-related legislation.
All three were Senate bills, meaning House...
Massive women's rights rally underway at state...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Several hundred people this morning descended on the state Capitol for a women’s rights rally to protest what they consider encroachments on abortion rights.
The House of Delegates was to vote today on a measure that would require ultrasounds of women about to undergo an abortion, but the bill went by for the day at the request of the patron, Del. Kathy J. Byron, ...
WatchBY WESLEY P. HESTER The state’s House of Delegates earned a mention on Saturday Night Live this weekend for — as you might have guessed — a couple contentious abortion measures that recently passed the chamber.
The “Really!?! With Seth & Amy” segment took aim at the “personhood” bill from Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, and an ultrasound abortion requirement proposed by Del....
Goode seeks Constitution Party nomination for...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Political renegade and former Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., of Rocky Mount, is running for president.
The Democrat turned independent turned Republican has filed his paperwork and is seeking the Constitution Party’s nomination for the nation’s top job.
Goode, who lost his 5th District congressional seat to Democrat Tom Perriello in 2008, is running on a platform of securing...
Kaine's campaign launches "Veterans for Kaine"
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
With the help of the man he hopes to succeed, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine today announced “Veterans for Kaine,” a group of more than 100 Virginia veterans and military family members to advocate on his behalf. Outgoing U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, is the highest profile member of the group, which includes representatives...
House budget amendments would restore safety net...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Sunday’s budget proposals will include restored funding for safety net programs, Del. S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, said Friday in a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates.
Specifically, Jones said the budget will restore funding for free clinics, community health centers and dental services provided by local health departments.
That was welcome news to House...
Warner explains why he'll vote against payroll tax...
UPDATED: McDonnell presses Senate Democrats on...
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA
Days before the legislature’s money committees present their proposed budgets, sniping has started between Gov. Bob McDonnell and Senate Democrats.
McDonnell sent a letter earlier this week to Sens. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, and A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, pressing them for specific ideas for a budget that they will support.
He says he’s previously asked for budget...
Texting and driving crackdown dead for the year
BY WESLEY P. HESTER A House subcommittee this morning killed the last of several bills this year aimed at strengthening the state’s ban on texting and driving. The House Militia, Police and Public safety subcommittee headed by Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, quashed Senate Bill 219, which would have allowed police officers to pull drivers solely for the offense of texting while driving. ...
Allen attacks Kaine for stimulus support
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Even as Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine refuses to budge, Republican rival George Allen is continuing his effort to irrevocably tie Kaine to President Barack Obama.
The day before the third anniversary of the stimulus package, Allen’s campaign launched a web video highlighting Kaine’s support of the plan as Democratic National Committee chairman.
The video...
As national Chamber attacks Kaine, Loudoun chamber...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was pounding him on Virginia’s airwaves, the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce was yesterday welcoming Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine.
Kaine spoke to dozens of businesspeople at a Loudoun Chamber-sponsored event Wednesday, the same day PolitiFact rated a U.S. Chamber ad attacking Kaine as “False.”
The television ad, running...
Sunday hunting bill dead for the year
BY WESLEY P. HESTER A House subcommittee on Wednesday quietly killed legislation that would have lifted the state’s ban on Sunday hunting. Senate Bill 464, sponsored by Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk, would have allowed Sunday hunting, but only on private property. On Wednesday morning, a House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources subcommittee recommended laying the bill on the...
Pro-life advocates urge Bolling, McDonnell to...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER On its first day in the Senate after it cleared the House Tuesday, pro-lifers rallied at the state Capitol to support House Bill 1, which would define life as beginning at conception.
Nearly 100 people gathered at Capitol Square’s Bell Tower wearing yellow scarves and yellow balloons and carrying “Support HB1” posters with a fetus on them to advocate for the...
After crossover, House Republicans tout...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER The morning after MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow took Republicans in the state’s House of Delegates to task for abortion measures that passed Tuesday, the House Republican Caucus downplayed the role of social issues this session.
At a press conference, Speaker of the House William J. Howell said that the caucus had enjoyed a successful first half of the session focused on its chief...
"Personhood" bill at issue in U.S. Senate race
BY WESLEY P. HESTER Within minutes of legislation passing the Virginia House of Delegates Tuesday that would define life as beginning at conception, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine had a “simple question” for Republican rival George Allen.
“Does George Allen support the ‘personhood’ measure in the Virginia House of Delegates that is sponsored by his challenger, Delegate Bob...
House poised to pass bill to expand death penalty...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER The House of Delegates has given a preliminary approval to legislation that would expand the state’s death penalty to include people involved in a capital murder who do not actually commit the killing.
House Bill 389, sponsored by C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, would redefine the state’s so-called “triggerman rule” by making accessories and principals in the second...
After fierce debate, ultrasound bill passes House
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
After a passionate debate, legislation to require women to undergo ultrasounds before abortion passed the state’s House of Delegates Monday on a 63-36 vote.
Democrats pleaded with Republicans to reconsider support of House Bill 462, sponsored by Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Campbell, claiming that it mandates an invasive procedure and is intended to discourage abortion.
Republicans...
House advances ultrasound requirement bill
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA The Virginia House of Delegates today gave preliminary approval to a measure requiring a woman to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion. Members advanced the bill to a final vote on Tuesday after rejecting an amendment proposed by Del. David L. Englin, D-Alexandria, to require a woman’s consent before undergoing a trans-vaginal ultrasound. “Most of...
House passes teacher contract overhaul
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA The House of Delegates today passed 55-43 an overhaul of the public school teacher and principal contract and evaluation process, which would essentially phase out a tenure-like system in favor of term contracts. The measure, which would make it easier for school divisions to fire teachers, is a centerpiece of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education agenda. It has drawn...
Obama campaign launches VA "Truth Team"
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign is launching a national effort to arm grassroots supporters with information to promote Obama’s achievements and respond to Republican attacks. As the GOP presidential contenders fight for the party’s nomination to challenge Obama, the “Truth Teams” will be rolled out at events today in several...
Senate backs crackdowns on drug dealers, sex...
BY JIM NOLAN
The Virginia Senate on Friday approved bills that increase criminal penalties on sex offenders, drug dealers and people who financially exploit the elderly.
Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, would require any juvenile over the age of 13 who is adjudicated responsible for rape, sodomy or sexual penetration to register as a sex...
Tracking device bill OKd by House
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Using an electronic tracking device to monitor the movements of others could soon be illegal in Virginia.
A bill to criminalize use of increasingly accessible tracking devices, coming soon to a big box store near you, was granted preliminary approval today by the House of Delegates on a voice vote.
House Bill 807, sponsored by Del. Joe T. May, R-Loudoun, would make it...
Coming to Late Night -- The Virginia Senate
BY JIM NOLAN
Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee were less than enthusiastic about the Republican vote to approve legislation (SB 6) that would require some welfare recipients to pass a drug screening in order to receive benefits.
Democratic Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, whose party is outnumbered on the GOP-controlled committee, reminded the panel that similar legislation...
Senate Dumps Affiliation Bill, Passes Abuse...
BY JIM NOLAN
Senators defeated a measure that would have required all registered voters to declare their party affiliation or independent status, effectively killing the measure for the year.
Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, was defeated 24-16. Similar measures in the House of Delegates failed to escape a House committee. Critics said the measure would have suppressed...
EpiPen Legislation Clears Assembly Committees
BY JIM NOLAN
Legislation that would encourage local school boards to maintain a supply of EpiPens to administer to students suffering from severe allergic reactions appears on track to pass the General Assembly this year.
Senate Bill 656, sponsored by Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, unanimously passed the Senate Education and Health committee and now heads to the Senate floor. Companion...
House Cuffs Pregnant Inmate Shackle Bill
BY JIM NOLAN
A House of Delegates subcommittee on Thursday killed a bill that would effectively prohibit the shackling of pregnant female inmates during labor and delivery.
House Bill 836, sponsored by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington and Del. Jim LeMunyon, R-Loudoun, had received widespread support from women’s rights groups and conservative faith-based groups who often oppose each other on...
Offended Senator Walks Out of Committee
BY JIM NOLAN
An exchange among senators on legislation that would change teacher’s contracts became uncivil Thursday, prompting one offended lawmaker to storm out of the Education and Health committee meeting.
Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, took offense to remarks by freshman Sen. Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Louisa. Garrett had somewhat brusquely refuted comments by Sen. Richard L....
"Castle Doctrine" bills clear House with a bang
BY WESLEY P. HESTER Legislation that would allow homeowners to use any degree of force, even lethal, against intruders without threat of criminal or civil charges has passed the House of Delegates. House Bill 48, sponsored by Del. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell, R-Staunton, which would codify a version of the state’s common law “Castle Doctrine” passed the House Thursday on a 70-28 vote after a second...
GA Dems blast Republicans for focus on social...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
House and Senate Democrats this morning unloaded on Republicans, who now control both chambers, for pushing social legislation that has dominated much of the legislative session’s first half.
The 17 Democratic legislators decried dozens of bills that they claim target the poor, limit women’s choices, discriminate against immigrants, suppress the vote and expand...
Teacher contract bill limps out of Senate panel
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA A McDonnell-backed proposed overhaul of the contract and evaluation system for the state’s public school teachers and principals — essentially phasing out a tenure-like system for term contracts — passed a key Senate committee today after first being killed.
The measure, opposed by the state’s teachers association, was defeated in the...
U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches ads supporting...
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a Virginia TV ad blitz in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen, who is looking to reclaim the seat he lost in 2006.
According to a release from the Chamber, the ads support Allen’s “pro-growth plan to create jobs and get the state’s economy back on track.”
If he receives the Republican nomination, Allen, the GOP...
"Castle Doctrine" poised to pass House Thursday
BY WESLEY P. HESTER
Legislation that would allow homeowners to shoot intruders first and ask questions later is all but assured to pass the House of Delegates Thursday after advancing to its final reading on a voice vote.
House Bill 48, sponsored by Del. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell, R-Staunton, would prevent the criminal prosecution of homeowners who use physical or deadly force against an...
GPS tracking bill advances in House
BY WESLEY P. HESTER A bill that would make it illegal to use increasingly accessible GPS tracking devices to monitor the movements of others is on its way to the floor of the state’s House of Delegates.
House Bill 807, sponsored by Del. Joe T. May, R-Loudoun, would make it a Class 3 misdemeanor (punishable by a fine of up to $500) to use a tracking device “through intentionally deceptive means...
Former Gov. Jeb Bush to talk education with...
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA
With key elements of his K-12 education agenda hitting committees this week, Gov. Bob McDonnell’s getting support from a former governor. McDonnell will hold a tele-town hall with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie this evening to discuss McDonnell’s “Opportunity to Learn” education agenda.
Bush is founder...
House gives preliminary OK to "Tebow" bill
BY OLYMPIA MEOLA A measure intended to make it easier for homeschooled students to play sports on public school teams was given preliminary approval in the House of Delegates this afternoon. House bill 947, sponsored by Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, is scheduled for a final vote tomorrow. Supporters of the so-called Tim Tebow bill, nicknamed for the once home-schooled Denver Broncos...