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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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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 [...]
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.
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.
General Assembly Briefs for March 9
Competing with Maryland and the District of Columbia to lure the corporate headquarters from California, McDonnell proposed legislation Friday that would increase money for Virginia’s economic development incentive grants to $30 million over five years, or $6 million in one year. The current economic development grants also total $30 million, but they have been used up, the House Appropriations Committee was told yesterday.
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. Last week in Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the state’s public colleges and universities do not have the authority to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation because the General Assembly has not authorized them to do so.
House panel advances expansion of death penalty
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday rejected a House version of a bill that would have expanded those eligible for the death penalty to include accomplices and accessories to the murder of a law-enforcement officer. But it approved an expansion of the death penalty for the murder of fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.
K-12 cuts at center of budget talks
Testily clashing over proposed cuts in state aid to public schools, House and Senate negotiators yesterday held out the possibility that budget-balancing talks could drag into June—and into the countdown hours for putting in place the state’s fiscal plan. With negotiators expected to miss their first deadline tonight on a compromise budget, Sen. R. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania, pressed the House to retreat from an additional $500 million in reductions in K-12 funding—which would…
House approves McDonnell plan on virtual classes
The House of Delegates yesterday passed Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to create a framework for approving virtual classes for public school students and gave preliminary approval to a plan to create college partnership lab schools. The measures triggered a sharp floor speech from Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake, who said the Virginia Education Association and McDonnell were “selling out” by supporting reforms that would suck money from traditional public schools.
Scottsville mayor won’t seek new term to focus on family
The mayor of Scottsville has decided not to seek the position in the May 4 election.
The new, new conventional wisdom on health care
Article available to AugustaFreePress.com subscribers.
More information on how to subscribe is below.
Report by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Jody Grogan thought, like a lot of hardcore health-care reform advocates, that Congress was thisclose to passing … something.
“I’m one of these real cynics about Congress now,” said Grogan, a retired teacher who lives in Staunton, and worked locally last summer [...]
Prince William board to look at five-year plan
Prince William supervisors will consider five-year budget plans Tuesday, and it's these revenue and expense projections that will shape how the county prioritizes its future funding for everything from Fire and Rescue to capital projects.
VCU to hold forums on Cuccinelli opinion
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has advised public colleges and universities that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to rescind their policies because they lack legislative authority to do so. On Tuesday Virginia Commonwealth University will hold four forums at which faculty, staff and students can discuss the attorney general’s opinion.
VCU to hold forums on Cuccinelli opinion
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has advised public colleges and universities that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to rescind their policies because they lack legislative authority to do so. On Tuesday Virginia Commonwealth University will hold four forums at which faculty, staff and students can discuss the attorney general’s opinion.
Bill to protect gays apparently dead for session
A parliamentary maneuver today 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. The maneuver follows an opinion issued last week in which Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the state’s public colleges and universities did not have the authority to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation because the General Assembly had not authorized them to do so.
Mary Washington president stepping 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…
Obama wants former top Army intelligence officer at TSA
President Barack Obama said he wants a former senior Army official with a career in intelligence to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
Split decision in Senate panel on death-penalty bills
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee today rejected a House of Delegates version of a bill that would have expand those eligible for the death penalty to include accomplices and accessories to the murder of a law enforcement officer. But the panel approved an expansion of the death penalty for the murder of fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.
House backs McDonnell on virtual schools, lab schools
The House of Delegates today passed Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to create a framework for approving virtual school programs for public school students and gave preliminary approval to another gubernatorial initiative to create college partnership lab schools. House bill 1388, on virtual schools, passed 80-18. The lab school bill is slated for a final vote in the House tomorrow.
Obama appeals for public support on health care
President Barack Obama accused insurance companies of placing profits over people and said Republicans ignored long-festering problems when they held power as he sought to build support Monday for swift passage of legislation stalled in Congress.
At Capitol, 300 rally against taxes, fees
Call it a late-morning tea party. On the grounds of the state Capitol today, cheering, sign-waving opponents of higher taxes and big government rallied against Virginia’s work-in-progress budget. About 300 people, turned out by Americans for Prosperity, were urged by the organization’s Virginia director, Ben Marchi, to keep the pressure on the General Assembly.
Death penalty expansion bills pass Va Senate panel
A key Senate committee has passed bills allowing the death penalty for those who kill fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.
State budget cuts could bring large layoffs
Thousands of state and local government employees face layoffs because of the severe budget cuts.
Loupassi asks Cuccinelli about city charter 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.
Iraq awaits election results
BAGHDAD—Iraqi coalitions and political parties jockeyed today for position following the country’s pivotal vote meant to usher in the next government, as the election commission head estimated a turnout of 55 and 60 percent. Iraqis defied a wave of insurgent attacks that killed 36 people and voted yesterday in key balloting that will determine whether they can overcome deep sectarian divides that almost tore the nation apart. It will also usher in a new government as U.S. forces prepare…
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Public News Service (National)
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