Busy Monday! First up, Governor Tim Kaine.
- As expected, the Governor amended the transportation bill. Details of the amendments, including the financial impact, can be found here. I’m not happy with the transportation bill and as others have said, Kaine’s amendments are like putting lipstick on a pig.
- The Governor also vetoed five bills which would have expanded the eligibility for the death penalty. I agree with Kaine’s position on this:
“Virginia is already second in the nation in the number of executions we carry out,” the Governor said. “While the nature of the offenses targeted by this legislation are very serious, I do not believe that further expansion of the death penalty is necessary to protect human life or provide for public safety needs.”
- HB2422, regarding smoking bans, was also amended by the Governor. According to the Virginian Pilot, the amendments ban smoking in restaurants. I disagree with the Governor on this. The market should be allowed to dictate. This whole thing on banning smoking has gone too far. And since, as I understand it, Virginia law does not really include a definition of “bar” this ban, if upheld, will apply there as well.
- Perhaps my email on HB2035 helped the Governor to decide to amend this bill by increasing the ability for parents to opt out. I would have preferred that the bill be vetoed, but this amendment at least makes it easier for the parents to just say no.
Next up, The Donald 🙂 According to RK, Donald MacEachin will be announcing his candidacy for the 9th Senate seat tomorrow. I guess I can take down that “Draft MacEachin” banner now. MacEachin’s new website is now live. Head on over and throw some bucks in his campaign coffers. The 9th Senate seat is currently held by turncoat Benny Lambert, who not only endorsed George Allen, but actively campaigned for him. Such behavior from an elected Democrat is inexcusable.
Finally, there’s Jim Webb. According to just about any news source you care to look at, a staffer of his was arrested for carrying a loaded, unregistered gun and ammunition into the capital. Seems the gun and the ammo belongs to Webb, but so far, none of the reports I’ve seen have him stepping up and taking ownership. This comes on the heels of Webb’s vote last week that defeated a measure that would have restored income taxes on folks who earn more than $1 million, the proceeds of which would have been used to provide grants to states for special education. Disappointing.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Much respect to Kaine for his actions on the death penalty bills. I hope the veto can be sustained.
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What dumbassery re: the gun. If it were Webb’s, why wouldn’t *he* be carrying it? It’s not as if Senators/Reps are screened (unless you’re Cynthia). I suspect that part of the story is pure Drudge Rules Our World fantasy. In any event, shouldn’t this improve his numbers among the NRA crowd?
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And on the smoking. While my not-entirely-defensible approach to smoking bans is usually passive disapproval, this bill is just stupid. What does it accomplish? Nothing more than another opportunity for the gov’t to fine someone. Either ban (or delegate the power to do it) smoking or not.
THANKS for the heads up on Jim Webb….Definitely a big story and worth checking out…..
buzz…buzz…
Let’s get this straight. If you kill a cop, you can get the death penalty. If you kill a judge or a witness, your life is spared.
You support that?
Not me. I had a job many years ago that allowed me to review some of the cases of the people on death row. The facts are not always as pictured in the newspapers. Some of these people are the best argument for the death penalty I can think of. For some crimes, the death penalty is really the only response.
The Governor’s move to amend the transportation bill was a hat tip to the Republicans, but a needed step to resolve the transportation issue. I think we all recognize that Something Had to be Done. Coming home without some sort of improvement would have been a disaster.
No I don’t support that Brian, and it will like be overriden. I think the Gov. was wrong with the veto, but he’s sticking to his promises that he is against adding more death penalty provisions, but he will enforce current law.