Mississippi has elections in the fall, like Virginia. Mississippi has a split legislature, like Virginia. There, Republicans control the State Senate while the Democrats control the House. Unlike Virginia, Mississippi's legislature released its maps last month. The House approved its maps on March 5 and the Senate its maps on March 10. But that's where … Continue reading We’re not Mississippi – yet
Category: Virginia
Austim Awareness Month: reject McDonnell’s amendments
April is Autism Awareness Month. The General Assembly passed a bill that would require insurance coverage for children, ages 2-6. Interestingly enough, support for the bill comes from both sides of the aisle. First there was this blog post from conservative Lee Talley. He blasts those from the AFP, who call the coverage "Obama-care lite." … Continue reading Austim Awareness Month: reject McDonnell’s amendments
Power trumps people – again
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. While the topic is redistricting - a topic, frankly, that I'm tired of writing about - the underlying message is that people need to get more involved. Not when the decision has already been made and a rubber stamp of approval is sought, but before … Continue reading Power trumps people – again
Redistricting open thread
The maps are available here. VPAP has some interesting graphics on party performance here and here. The Virginian-Pilot also has maps here. First thing that popped into my head, after looking at the maps, was that the Republicans are better than the Democrats at partisan redistricting. If you're going to engage in it, do for … Continue reading Redistricting open thread
Statement from Del. Paula Miller
Received via email from my Delegate, Paula Miller, whose 87th House district has been eliminated in Norfolk: What has happened with redistricting in South Hampton Roads is unfortunate because Norfolk’s population merits 3 resident delegates just like Virginia Beach’s population merits two resident state senators. But, redistricting is a political problem, not a math problem. … Continue reading Statement from Del. Paula Miller
Mills: Don’t Let Virginia’s Middle Class Disappear
By David Mills, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia The nonpartisan Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis recently released a report stating that the gap between the rich and the poor in Virginia is now the third widest in the nation and the widest in 30 years. As more Virginians struggle to make ends meet, … Continue reading Mills: Don’t Let Virginia’s Middle Class Disappear
Sen. John Miller announces finance committee
In a press release today, Senator John Miller (D-1st) announced the formation of his re-election finance committee. The committee will be chaired by former Delegate Alan Diamonstein. “I am honored to have so many outstanding business and community leaders involved in my re-election campaign. This is a diverse group of exceptional men and women who … Continue reading Sen. John Miller announces finance committee
An effort in futility
Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald wrote an interesting article on futility, opening with this: This will be a futile column. Experience dictates that it will change no minds, inspire no reconsideration among those who disagree. It will sit on the computer screen or the newspaper page taking up space, affecting nothing, until another column … Continue reading An effort in futility
Quick links 3/22/11
By the time I got home from work today, wordpress.com, where this blog is hosted, was having some kind of meltdown, which made the backend inaccessible. In any event, here are a few posts that caught my eye as I waited for it to get back up: VLBC calls for second Congressional district with high … Continue reading Quick links 3/22/11
Please split up my ‘community of interest’
By Steve Vaughan It's redistricting time. The General Assembly meets next month to draw the new lines for the state's 11 Congressional districts, 100 House of Delegates district and 40 State Senate districts. This year we've had an appetizer, since the governor's commission on redistricting (which only has advisory status), college students participating in a … Continue reading Please split up my ‘community of interest’