HB2797 failed today, despite pleas from its sponsor, Bob Marshall. "It's a good idea to say what the hell you believe and not be ashamed of it," Marshall said from his seat before being warned by House Speaker William J. Howell that his microphone was still on. Um, we know what you believe, Mr. Marshall. … Continue reading HB2797 fails
Category: Virginia
Action needed on HB2707
HB2707, Del. Hugo's verified voting bill, came out of committee on Friday stripped of its language requiring audits and recounts. This is the companion bill for SB840 that has already passed the Senate. Please contact your legislators and ask them to restore the language for audits and recounts. The constituent hotline is (800)889-0229. UPDATE: There … Continue reading Action needed on HB2707
Juneteenth
HR56 was introduced on Friday to designate the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth" Freedom Day in Virginia. I guess because it is a Saturday, it won't be a state holiday. The full text of the resolution is below the fold. WHEREAS, Virginia is home to the first permanent English settlement in the New World, … Continue reading Juneteenth
More on eminent domain
The conclusion editorial regarding eminent domain in Virginia appeared in today's Virginian-Pilot. In it, reference is made to a study done by the Virginia Institute for Public Policy. The study, entitled "The Real Story of Eminent Domain in Virginia," has become a "bible of sorts" for those who believe that the system of takings in … Continue reading More on eminent domain
Action needed NOW on HB2797
The vote on HB2797 , which I first reported on here, is scheduled for this afternoon, according to this post. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. § 1. That life begins at the moment of fertilization and the right to enjoyment of life guaranteed by Article 1, § 1 of the … Continue reading Action needed NOW on HB2797
Eminent domain: unjust compensation
The Virginian-Pilot, in part 1 of a 2-part editorial, lays bare the issues surrounding the use of eminent domain in Virginia. When the state takes somebody's property, Virginia's Constitution entitles them to "just compensation." But Meeks discovered that her rights to that just compensation were protected more in name than in fact. So, where did … Continue reading Eminent domain: unjust compensation
Alert: HB2797
From the comments on my guestbook: Who would believe it? House Bill 2797, introduced by Del. Bob Marshall (R-13), is such an extreme measure.It states “That life begins at the moment of fertilization and the right to enjoyment of life guaranteed by Article 1, 1 of the Constitution of Virginia is vested in each born … Continue reading Alert: HB2797
Unanimous approval on slavery resolution
The Washington Post: The House of Delegates unanimously approved a resolution Friday expressing "profound regret" for Virginia's role in the slave trade, a significant act of contrition by a body that used to start the day with a salute that symbolized the state's Confederate heritage. h/t: RK
SB 1168: Court-appointed compensation
According to the Virginia Fair Trial Project (formerly the Virginia Indigent Defense Coalition), Virginia provides the lowest compensation for court-appointed attorneys in the country. A court appointed attorney in Circuit Court is paid a maximum of $158 for a misdemeanor punishable by confinement, $1,235 for a felony punishable by more than 20 years confinement, and … Continue reading SB 1168: Court-appointed compensation
FL governor: voting paper trails
Florida Governor Charlie Crist would like to do away with touch screen voting machines and replace them with ones that generate a paper trail. Ensuring the integrity of elections is the cornerstone of any democracy, he said. "It's at the very foundation of it all. You go to an ATM machine, you get some kind … Continue reading FL governor: voting paper trails
