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General Assembly 2010
When Hate Comes to Town
By C. Douglas Smith
From Legis-Link, the weekly newsletter of the Virginia Interfaith Center
 Hate is meant to incapacitate righteousness; literally cut its head off. We witnessed hate this week in Virginia when the Westboro Baptist Church came to the Commonwealth...While we rarely use protests to draw attention to an issue, the fact that the Kansas-based anti-Semites sought to protest the Virginia Holocaust Museum motivated us to turn out folks to that sacred space. >> Sign up for our newsletter and read more of Doug's article.
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group. We are a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to create progressive public policy by engaging people of faith, educating the public about social issues, the legislative process, and the call to advocacy.
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Why I Gave to The Center
Last Week
 "I first heard about the Interfaith Center when the Diocese of Virginia recognized a member of the Center's staff for his past work with the Episcopal Church. The Center's mission and values reminded me of my early experiences with the Episcopal Church. I went to St. Christopher's School in Richmond, and some of my teachers were young priests who took us out in the community to teach us the social gospel. Social justice and advocacy became core components of my development and faith and so I was immediately interested in the Center's good work. We are in one of the toughest economic times I have seen and I am watching the budget get cut on the backs of the poor. The Center's regular e-mails remind me that they bring a critical voice to the debate, and that is why I support the Center." -- Scott Christian, Marshall, Va.
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Political Headlines from Va. Press Assoc.
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Group will protest choice of imam to pray in House
Opponents plan to protest the choice of a Northern Virginia imam, who they say advocates violence, to deliver the opening prayer to the House of Delegates today. But Imam Johari Abdul-Malik’s sponsor, Del. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, said Abdul-Malik is an apostle of nonviolence.
March to Capitol follows anti-Cuccinelli protest at VCU
The protest began with the Pledge of Allegiance, but the emphasis was on “justice for all.“ More than 1,000 people rallied at Virginia Commonwealth University yesterday against an attempt by the state attorney general to negate anti-discrimination policies that protect gays.
General Assembly Briefs for March 11
House Bill 505 (bars) and House Bill 885 (cars) essentially were identical to two Senate-sponsored bills that already had passed the chamber and were approved by the House. One bill requires the state Board of Education to develop nutritional guidelines and regulations governing what kind of food can be sold in public schools during the school day.
Group will protest choice of imam to pray in House
Opponents plan to protest the choice of a Northern Virginia imam, who they say advocates violence, to deliver the opening prayer to the House of Delegates today. But Imam Johari Abdul-Malik’s sponsor, Del. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, said Abdul-Malik is an apostle of nonviolence.
Senate passes jobless aid, business tax breaks
The Senate voted yesterday to extend key pieces of last year’s economic-stimulus measure, including help for the jobless and money to help financially strapped states pay for health care for the poor. The 62-36 vote came over protests from conservatives who say the bill adds too much to the national debt. Six Republicans joined all but one Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, in voting for the bill.
McDonnell counters Cuccinelli’s advice on gays
Gov. Bob McDonnell is strengthening largely symbolic anti-bias protections for gay state employees, attempting to douse a political firestorm set when his attorney general decreed such safeguards don’t exist.
Progress seen in Virginia budget negotiations
Budget negotiators separated into subcommittees yesterday to talk about specific budget items, a sign that they have resolved many of the revenue issues that threatened to push the General Assembly into overtime. The conferees have been looking for ways to balance a spending plan for the 2010-12 budget period that began with a $4 billion deficit.
House won’t ask localities to pay back state education aid
The House of Delegates will not ask local governments to pay back money for teacher retirement plans after all. Robert P. Vaughn, staff director of the House Appropriations Committee, said yesterday that it’s unlikely that the payback mechanism would be necessary to avoid violating terms of federal stimulus money that Virginia is receiving for public education.
Jeff’s Notes - McDonnell wants it every which way?
The firestorm over anti-discrimination protections for gay state employees is blotting out the pro-jobs message of Virginia’s new governor, Bob McDonnell.
Political notes: Connolly speaks against mauling in East Africa
The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 418 to 1 in favor of a bill by Rep. Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly that condemns the mutilation of albinos in East Africa.
Ethics reform package passes the General Assembly….
General Assembly lawmakers have approved an ethics reform package designed to tighten up rules and regulations on state legislators in the wake of the downfall of Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News. Lawmakers in the House of Delegates sponsored a number a changes to state law after the influential Newport News lawmakers was unable to win re-election after it was discovered that he was pursuing a $40,000-a-year job at Old Dominion University even as he was securing the school funding. The ethics reform…
MAIN STREET BLOG:nbsp; House backs off payback plan
Localities won’t have the headache of getting millions of dollars in state aid that they would have to immediately repay. That plan is dead, according to one of its architects.
New discrimination prohibitions include sexual orientation
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Gov. Bob McDonnell today issued an executive directive clarifying his administration’s position on employment discrimination that makes it clear that discrimination “based on factors such as one’s sexual orientation or parental status” will not be tolerated.
“Discrimination based on factors such as one’s sexual orientation or parental status violates the Equal Protection Clause [...]
CNU students set up Facebook page muzzling Cuccinelli, McDonnell issues Executive Directive
Students at Christopher Newport University are taking to social networking sites to voice their displeasure with the recent opinion offered by state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli regarding anti- discrimination policies toward sexual orientation. The page features a picture of Cuccinelli - with his mouth covered up with a CNU logo - and it also hosts some interesting discussion regarding the current dust up over gay rights. For instance there is a thread of conversation about how the attorney general…
Senate approves controversial gun bills
The Virginia Senate today approved two controversial House of Delegates gun bills that will allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns into bars and non-permit holders to conceal their firearms in cars.
Senate approves controversial gun bills
The Virginia Senate today approved two controversial House of Delegates gun bills that will allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns into bars and non-permit holders to conceal their firearms in cars.
Va. police agencies get homeland security grants
Forty-five local police and sheriff’s departments across Virginia will receive homeland security grants totaling $4.9 million.
Bills on concussions, school nutrition win backing
Two bills designed to safeguard Virginia schoolchildren in the cafeteria and on the field of play are heading to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Governor issues directive against discrimination
After day of protests and legislative maneuvering, governor issues Executive Directive No. 1 to defuse gay bias controversy that started with attorney general’s opinion.
Governor issues directive against discrimination
After day of protests and legislative maneuvering, governor issues Executive Directive No. 1 to defuse gay bias controversy that started with attorney general’s opinion.
VIRGINIA POLITICS BLOG: McDonnell asked to send down anti-sex descrimination bill
Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, called on Gov. Bob McDonnell to send a bill to the General Assembly before it adjourns on Saturday to add sexual orientation as a protected class in the state code.
House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations
House Democratic leaders have announced that they will ban the much-criticized practice of using annual spending bills to direct pet projects to for-profit companies that often return the favor with campaign contributions.
Morale issues at shrinking VDOT
Column by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
It makes sense that there might be low morale in VDOT offices around the state. If you’re among the people in danger of being downsized, the reason for your low morale is pretty obvious. Not as obvious, but just as demoralizing, is seeing the person who has been sitting in the cubicle [...]
The Rant: Appreciation
Video Essay by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Morale is an issue at VDOT and elsewhere in local, state and federal government. It wouldn’t hurt the partisans who make their political case by casting government as the enemy would show some appreciation for the people who work in the public sector.
The Rant: Appreciation (1:47)
1,000 attend VCU forums about Cuccinelli opinion on protecting gays
As lawmakers defeated a renewed effort yesterday to include sexual orientation in state anti-discrimination policies, about 1,000 students and faculty turned out at Virginia Commonwealth University to assail an attorney general’s opinion that targets campus diversity policies.
Assembly budget negotiators at odds amid grim tax report
Senators are retreating somewhat on fattened court fees to help balance Virginia’s recession-wracked budget, but delegates aren’t impressed.
1,000 attend VCU forums about Cuccinelli opinion on protecting gays
As lawmakers defeated a renewed effort yesterday to include sexual orientation in state anti-discrimination policies, about 1,000 students and faculty turned out at Virginia Commonwealth University to assail an attorney general’s opinion that targets campus diversity policies.
Goodlatte jabs at health care, debt
As 6th District Rep. Bob Goodlatte sees it, health insurance reform is necessary but not the way it is proposed in the legislation before Congress.
General Assembly Briefs for March 10
A bill to expand the state’s charter school law drew several senators to the floor. They objected to siphoning state education dollars from traditional public schools to different types of programs as the General Assembly slashes funding for public education. The governor is pushing three reforms for schools. They would create a framework for approving virtual classes for public school students; create a path for college partnership lab schools; and outline the kind of assistance that charter…
University of Mary Washington president to step down early
Judy G. Hample, the outgoing president of the University of Mary Washington, is stepping down early. Beginning April 1, Hample will begin an academic sabbatical that will continue until June 30, her previously scheduled departure date. “I offered to step down early so that the acting president can begin his or her term earlier, and so that the university can continue to move forward without the distractions inherent in a prolonged period of transition,“ Hample said in a statement released…
Va. hopes to reach revised tech contract with Northrop Grumman this month
No joke—Gov. Bob McDonnell wants a deal with Northrop Grumman before April Fool’s Day that could mean more money for the beleaguered information-technology contractor. Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey hopes to complete negotiations with Northrop Grumman on revisions to its 10-year, $2.3 billion contract with the state by the end of March.
Budget negotiators miss first deadline to reach deal
Senators are retreating somewhat on fattened court fees to help balance Virginia’s recession-wracked budget, but delegates aren’t impressed. Ahead of the assembly’s scheduled Saturday adjournment, the 13 budget negotiators missed their first deadline to reach a deal—midnight tonight. The latest maneuvering came as the McDonnell administration reported that the state’s tax collections continue to lag.
Hundreds at VCU forums oppose Cuccinelli opinion
As lawmakers defeated a renewed effort to include sexual orientation in state anti-discrimination policies, about 1,000 students and faculty turned out at Virginia Commonwealth University today to assail an attorney general opinion that targets campus diversity policies. VCU called the campus forums on short notice in response to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s opinion that public universities do not have the authority to ban discrimination against gays without the General Assembly’s…
Massa denies he sexually groped male staffer
Former New York Congressman Eric Massa, who resigned from Congress amid sexual harassment allegations, acknowledged Tuesday groping a staffer but denied it was sexual.
Virginia Politics Notebook
- Richmond: House Democrat leader reacts to block by GOP on antidiscrimination measure
- Richmond: State Senate passes charter-school bill
- D.C. News: Perriello backs bipartisan bill to cut pay for Congress
- Campaign Trail: Eagle Forum endorses Morton in Fifth GOP race
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Richmond: House Democrat leader reacts to block by GOP on antidiscrimination measure [...]
This week at Shad Plank Live:Ken Cuccinelli’s discrimination letter to schools
Join political writer Kimball Payne and state editor Dave Hendrickson Thursday mornings at 11 for their weekly online chat, Shad Plank Live. This week's topic: Ken Cuccinelli's advice to state schools that they are not allowed to add gay people to their list of "protected classes" in anti-discrimination policies. And of course, that pesky budget mess that is supposed to be cleaned up by the weekend. What do you think? Will lawmakers get the job done on time? Will anyone be happy with their solution?…
David Reynolds: Standing for opportunity
Column by David Reynolds
Submit guest columns: freepress2@ntelos.net
“Where you stand depends upon where you sit,” has eight simple words which explain politics. But it need not.
Stands have and will be taken during the discussions over where to cut our local school budgets in these tough fiscal times. Mostly they spring from where one sits. And that [...]
McDonnell wants VITA-NG deal by end of month
No joke—Gov. Bob McDonnell wants a deal with Northrop Grumman before April Fool’s Day that could mean more money for the beleaguered information-technology contractor. Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey hopes to complete negotiations with Northrop Grumman on revisions to its 10-year, $2.3 billion contract with the state by the end of March.
WM president assures students and staffers that school won’t discriminate…
College of William and Mary President Taylor Reveley just sent out a note to the school's students, faculty and staff assuring them that the school won't discriminate against gays regardless of the legal opinion of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Reveley said that the school's lawyers - presumably including State Sen. Thomas K. "Tommy" Norment- are working to digest the opinion Cuccinelli sent out to schools last week. But then he takes it a step further saying that the school hasn't tolerated…
As AG, McDonnell weighed in on protections for gays at Christopher Newport University…
Gov. Bob McDonnell pledged to the folks at the Washington Post that he would not tolerate any form of discrimination in his administration, hoping to quell the controversy surrounding Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's advice to state supported colleges and universities that they don't have the power to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. McDonnell said this week that he agrees with Cuccinelli's legal reasoning that only the 140-member General Assembly has the authority to expand on the…
Va. Senate approves school bills
The Senate has approved bills that would give the state a role in the creation of charter, online and virtual schools despite objections from some that doing so would divert money from public schools.
Senate approves McDonnell education bills
A bill expanding the state’s charter school law drew several senators to the floor expressing objections to siphoning public education dollars from traditional public schools
Move to revive anti-discrimination bill fails
A motion to get around a committee and bring up an anti-discrimination bill on the floor of the House of Delegates failed today. Last week a subcommittee of the House General Laws Committee tabled Senate Bill 66, which would have codified sexual orientation as part of Virginia’s anti-discrimination policy for the state work force. On Monday the chairman of the full committee canceled its last meeting of the General Assembly session, preventing the committee from reconsidering the bill.
Judge considers sending ex-Edwards aide to jail
A judge is considering whether to send a former John Edwards aide to jail for contempt over his handling of a purported sex tape showing the former presidential candidate.
VCU forum speakers assail Cuccinelli
Students and faculty urged administrators to take a strong stand against Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s opinion that gays cannot be included in state anti-discrimination policies.
VCU forum speakers assail Cuccinelli
Students and faculty urged administrators to take a strong stand against Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s opinion that gays cannot be included in state anti-discrimination policies.
Bill to protect gays likely is doomed
A parliamentary maneuver yesterday in the House of Delegates will prevent the General Laws Committee from reconsidering a bill to include gays in the state’s anti-discrimination policy.
Bid to revive Va. bill shielding gay workers fails
A final bid to revive a bill that would protect gay state employees from job discrimination has failed.
Loupassi questions start-up cost conditions for Patrick Henry
Del. G.Manoli Loupassi has asked the attorney general to comment on the legality of language in the charter between the Richmond School Board and the fledgling Patrick Henry School.
Loupassi contests start-up cost conditions for school
Del. G. Manoli Loupassi has asked the attorney general to comment on the legality of language in the charter between the Richmond School Board and the fledgling Patrick Henry School.
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Public News Service (National)
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