Delivering Results for Virginia Families
Following her victory in yesterday's special election, Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn was sworn in to the Virginia House of Delegates on this House floor this afternoon:
House Democrats joined a bipartisan coalition calling for an end to the partisan redistricting process this week. NBC29 and the Virginian-Pilot have more coverage:
Editorial boards across Virginia have addressed Phil Hamilton's cozy, state-funded consulting gig, and the verdict is unanimous: something's fishy.
Delegate, university show poor judgment
Virginian-Pilot, 8/1/09
"The responsibility falls first on the 20-year lawmaker and second-ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. State law admonishes legislators not to 'accept any business or professional opportunity when he knows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the opportunity is being afforded him to influence him in the performance of his official duties.'"
[...]
"In the absence of an advisory commission, Hamilton could have consulted the House Rules Committee or the attorney general, but he did not."
Roanoke Times, 8/3/09
"Del. Phillip Hamilton of Newport News, who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and is one of the most powerful members of the General Assembly, has slipped into an unethical but legal situation, even if he does not admit it."
Daily Press, 8/6/09
"Del. Phil Hamilton has some explaining to do....something can pass the 'strictly legal' test and still make citizens sniff at it like a cook checking out yesterday's fish."
[...]
"Hamilton's no stranger to controversy about conflicts of interest. He stepped in it when he took $10,000 from Merck, the only maker of a vaccine against HPV (Gardasil), then sponsored legislation to make the vaccine mandatory for every girl entering middle school. And when other non-state agencies were going begging, he secured a special appropriation for a private health service on whose unpaid board he sits."
[...]
"[B]oth ODU and Hamilton need to air this thing out — not just with denials and rationalizations, but by giving the public a look at the paper trails (or e-mail trails) that show how this deal was done, how Hamilton was hired and how it works today."
9 days later, O'Bannon still trying to explain voting against 2,700 local jobs
Delegate John O'Bannon failed again to take responsibility for his vote last year, which caused the elimination of 2,700 Qimonda jobs in Henrico County. Today, O'Bannon tried again to explain away his vote against a grant for the chip-manufacturing company Qimonda, even though he knew at the time that his vote could cost over 1,000 jobs.
During floor debate at the House of Delegates before O'Bannon cast his vote, he was specifically informed that a vote against the grant could lead to over 1,000 lost Qimonda jobs in Henrico County, but O'Bannon voted against the grant anyway.
Then, last Tuesday, O'Bannon falsely claimed he didn't know at the time that his vote could cost local jobs. Today, he came up with a new explanation -- that it was ok for him to vote against local jobs because they might have been lost anyway.
"John O'Bannon needs to take responsibility for his actions and apologize to the 2,700 laid-off workers whose jobs he voted against," said Tom Shields, "We need a Delegate who will fight for every single job -- not one who comes up with a new explanation every week for why he can't be bothered to fight for workers in his own district."
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Earlier this evening, House Republicans rejected $125 million in federal stimulus money for expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring that Virginians' share of the stimulus will be sent to other states instead of families here in the Commonwealth.
Shortly before the vote, Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong took to the floor to express how badly his district needed the support - last month, the unemployment rate in Martinsville hit 20.2 percent.
Following an inquiry from former Republican Party of Virginia chairman Jeff Frederick, House Speaker Bill Howell ruled an amendment from Gov. Tim Kaine that would have allowed no-excuse absentee voting "not germane," thus avoiding a recorded vote and killing the measure.
House Joint Resolution 994, which commends Equality Virginia on its 20th anniversary, was pulled from the uncontested block of resolutions this afternoon by Del. Mark Cole - presumably so he and several other Republicans could register their opposition to the measure on an unrecorded voice vote. Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan organization that seeks to ensure equal rights for gays and lesbians.
In the video below, Del. Adam Ebbin of Alexandria expresses his disappointment that the resolution was singled out in such a fashion:
Last year, Republicans pulled a similar maneuver with a resolution honoring the Richmond Gay Community Foundation.
The Indoor Clean Air Act, which will officially ban smoking in restaurants, passed the House this afternoon by a 60-39 vote.
In response to Republican attacks on the federal stimulus package signed into law this week, Del. Ward Armstrong took to the floor yesterday to question the consistency of those speaking against the stimulus who nevertheless plan to take full advantage of its extra funding boost. “When it comes to economic stimulus,” Armstrong said, “I think that all the ideas that have come from the other side of the aisle would fill a thimble.”
House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith’s response?
“Clearly, it would be foolish when the check arrives to say ‘No thank you, give my money to California, they’re bankrupt and we’re not.’ That would be foolish.”
Last month, the House Republican majority made short work of a number of initiatives aimed at easing voter access to the polls - for example, allowing early in-person voting and expanding absentee voting. They were swiftly killed (along with several redistricting reform bills) in a predawn subcommittee meeting that fell on the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
Today, the House GOP killed Senate versions of the same legislation. Sen. Janet Howell’s SB810 would have allowed registered voters to vote absentee for any reason, Sen. Louise Lucas’ SB819 would have allowed early, in-person voting beginning two weeks before Election Day, and Sen. John Miller’s SB1010 would have allowed registered voters over the age of 65 to vote absentee.
Sen. George Barker’s SB1230 would have provided for a court-ordered extension of polling hours in emergency situations.
Finally, Sen. Creigh Deeds’ SB926 would have established a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission.
While most passed the Senate by sizable margins (Sen. Deeds’ redistricting bill passed unanimously), all were killed this morning on party-line votes, with Republicans John Cosgrove, Chris Jones, Steve Landes and Jeff Frederick voting against Democrats Rosalyn Dance and David Englin.
Today marks the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the “Great Emancipator” and first Republican president of the United States. Oddly, Republican Party of Virginia chairman Jeff Frederick chose to commemorate the occasion by launching a random attack on Charles Darwin.
The motion to adjourn in President Lincoln’s honor was instead made by Democratic Delegate Jennifer McClellan, who noted that Lincoln gave his life so our nation “shall have a new birth of freedom.”
Incidentally, House Republicans made international news two years ago by defeating legislation to help with Lincoln bicentennial celebrations.
House Republicans in a General Laws subcommittee last night killed Del. Adam Ebbin’s HB2385, which would prohibit discrimination in public employment based on sexual orientation. A majority of the House Democratic Caucus co-patroned the bill, while GOP Del. Todd Gilbert argued that the measure “may not be in the best interest of our society.”
Video of the vote is below:
Republicans killed an identical bill from Del. Ebbin last year.
As the nation observed the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Del. Ken Melvin of Portsmouth spoke about his own journey in the House - and the journey our new president begins tomorrow.
Defying the will of Alexandria and Fairfax voters, the House Republican majority refused to seat Delegate-Elect Charniele Herring this afternoon after a nearly 40-minute floor debate.
House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith disregarded Herring’s official electoral certification from the State Board of Elections, leaving the 46th House District indefinitely without representation as the 2009 session of the General Assembly begins.
You can watch the full exchange below:
Amendment to reduce sales tax on food by 20%, remove gas tax increase
House Democratic Leaders will offer a new, responsible solution to the transportation crisis when the General Assembly continues its special session on transportation, tomorrow, July 9th. In consultation with the Senate majority, House Democrats will propose amendments to remove the statewide and Hampton Roads regional gas tax increases while retaining all other sufficient revenue to address Virginia's transportation needs (SB6009). With the amendment, this transportation plan will generate approximately $5.5 billion over the next 7 years - nearly 80% of the plans original revenue.
The proposal must be allowed a fair and full hearing by the House Republican Leadership.
This plan addresses the statewide maintenance deficit, regional congestion in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, and reduces the sales tax on food by 20%. "We appreciate the work of the Senate of Virginia to advance a meaningful transportation solution," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong. "Now that Democrats have come together, it's time for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to give this compromise a full and fair hearing."
"This will be the first opportunity in many years for the House to vote on a comprehensive, statewide transportation solution. Everyone is tired of the political games in Richmond. We are here with a serious proposal; it is time to show leadership," said Brian Moran, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw said, "This is a step forward. This action will bring us closer to a real transportation solution. If the House Republican leadership is serious about addressing our transportation needs, they will allow this bill to be debated, amended and voted on."
"House and Senate Democrats are unified in trying to solve our transportation problem. This plan invests significantly in public transportation, regional congestion relief, and highway maintenance, while reducing the sales tax on food. It's time for the House Republicans to act," said Mary Margaret Whipple, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
The Amendment that will be presented for a vote tomorrow will:
News reports have indicated that House Republican Leadership will cut off debate and prevent amendments that remove the gas tax from transportation funding legislation. The House Democratic Caucus has called on Republican leadership to allow amendments and compromise.
Just prior to the special session opening, the Democratic caucus received this exclusive video of House Republican leaders announcing their long-awaited transportation plan:
The environment wasn’t the only victim of yesterday’s veto session - House Republicans also squashed funding for a public-private partnership that would have helped provide health insurance to low-income workers employed by small businesses.
In the video below, Del. Brian Moran explains how the pilot program would have helped lower insurance costs for all Virginians.
The amendment was defeated by a 43-53 vote.
Mere hours after Earth Day, House Republicans defeated an amendment from Gov. Tim Kaine that would have strengthened Virginia’s environmental standards for new state buildings (Raising Kaine covered the details of the amendment last week).
In the video below, Del. David Toscano explains how the LEED rating system is a “much more stringent and rigorous” approach than the watered-down standards favored by Republicans. The amendment was defeated on a near party-line vote.
As embattled House Speaker Bill Howell clings tenuously to his shrinking majority, he has attempted to lay preemptive blame for Virginia’s transportation crisis on Democrats - before a plan has even been introduced.
You’ll excuse us if his complaints ring hollow, since Bill Howell is no stranger to playing politics when he lacks the will to offer a solution.
Bill Howell on fixing transportation:
“‘It makes you wonder if, in fact, this is all to put it off to the 2009 election’ and try to use the issue to attack GOP House candidates, Howell said.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/3/08]
Bill Howell on property tax relief:
“House Speaker Bill Howell admitted to Chamber of Commerce leaders last month that a plan to discount property taxes would penalize Virginia’s businesses and harm its communities. In the same breath, however, Howell said he would do nothing to stop a bad idea from becoming law. His reasoning: ‘My guys are up for election next year.’” [Virginian-Pilot, 2/10/08]
“Republicans would not stand in the way of the proposal, Howell said, because doing so would be used against by political opponents. ‘You’ve got to look at the politics of it,’ he told a crowd of about 250 gathered at the Library of Virginia. ‘My guys are up for election next year.’” [Sun Gazette, 1/25/08]
“The Speaker of the House came to us and said, ‘We’d like you to kill this bill in the Senate.’ There was a bill in the House as well. One of my guys stood up and said, ‘You’re going to kill it in the House too, right?’ ‘Oh, no, we’re up for re-election in 2009, we can’t vote against a tax cut.’ And sure enough, they passed it.” [Sen. Tommy Norment, Virginia Gazette, 3/22/08]
Earlier today, House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong rose on the floor to respond to Del. Terry Kilgore’s defense of last year’s disastrous, unconstitutional transportation plan, HB3202.
Republican Dels. Bob Marshall and Todd Gilbert held a press conference yesterday regarding their bills to carry concealed firearms on college campuses. Specifically, they were dismayed that they did not receive the “mere courtesy” of having their bills even heard in “secret subcommittees where they kill bills without a record of votes.”
The tyranny of the GOP majority, it seems, cuts both ways:
During today’s floor session, House Republicans attempted to trump up Sen. Donald McEachin’s alternative dispute resolution measure, SB161, as an assault on Virginia’s Right to Work law.
In response, Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong introduced a floor amendment explicitly clarifying that the bill would not “affect, diminish, or repeal” the Right to Work law, in order to assuage any real concerns:
Republican Leader Morgan Griffith countered with some rather counterintuitive logic, saying that putting something into the Code of Virginia doesn’t make it law. Go figure.
In any case, the bill was only before the House in the first place as a purely political move, since the Republican leadership used their new rules gimmick to bring it directly to the floor without a recommendation. In the video below (taken earlier this week), the House Rules committee defeats Del. Kris Amundson’s motion to report SB161 as usual, prompting Del. Armstrong to express his ongoing concern with bypassing committees of expertise:
Unfortunately, House Republicans again opted for rhetoric and political gamesmanship over real solutions. SB161 died on a party-line vote.
Dels. Ward Armstrong and Brian Moran spoke on the House floor yesterday, further addressing the House GOP's questionable math when it comes to funding public education in coming years.
The nonpartisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that the Republicans' budget methodology would result in "$227 million less in state aid to localities for teachers' salaries," a change the Roanoke Times today calls a "flimflam."
Revisions to the Standard of Quality methodology proposed by House Republicans would drastically reduce per-pupil spending in schools across the Commonwealth. You can see the reductions by school district on our interactive map here.
In the video below, Del. Kris Amundson explains her concerns with the new funding formula:
This afternoon, the Appropriations subcommittee on Elementary & Secondary Education killed the second teacher pay raise measure to come before them this session: Sen. Creigh Deeds’ SB267.
Like Del. Brian Moran’s HB92, which died in the same committee last month, the bill attempted to raise Virginia’s average teacher salary to the national average.
In the audio file below, Del. Kirk Cox makes a substitute motion to kill the bill after Del. Jim Scott moves to report it:
The bill died on a party line vote, with only Dels. Scott and Mamye BaCote opposing the move. Cox was joined by GOP Dels. Clarke Hogan, Beverly Sherwood, Phil Hamilton and chairman Bob Tata.
No thanks to the Republican majority, who have repeatedly refused to broadcast floor sessions for a variety of dubious reasons, Richmond Sunlight now offers a full archive of video to accompany this year’s House Minutes.
Michael Powell - former member of the Bush administration, son of Colin Powell, and certainly no stranger to battles over taste and decency - currently serves as the Rector of the College of William and Mary, and as such is heavily involved in the ongoing brouhaha over former College president Gene Nichol.
Last month, Republicans called four nominees to the College’s Board of Visitors to come before the House Privileges and Elections Committee, where they answered questions for about an hour and a half.
Powell’s diagnosis?
“There are aspects of the General Assembly’s behavior that are reprehensible.” (AP, 2/22/08)
Perhaps Powell felt that time could have been better spent on redistricting reform, closing the gugun show loophole, or immediate property tax relief, all of which received cursory (if any) deliberation in the GOP-controlled House of Delegates.
Republican Del. Bob Marshall attempted to introduce an unwelcome floor amendment to yesterday’s budget, incurring the wrath of his own caucus in the process.
As Marshall introduced the measure to the Clerk’s desk, Del. Steve Landes moved to take a vote immediately. Upon Speaker Bill Howell’s ruling that the motion had been properly made, Del. Marshall appealed the ruling of the Chair and lamented the Republican-controlled House’s loss of “decency” and “comity.”
Last night, the Privileges & Elections Constitutional subcommittee killed an enactment bill from Sen. Ralph Northam on the homestead exemption, SB496. (The Virginian-Pilot, 2/21/08)
Like Del. Paula Miller's HB1118 - which was killed by the same subcommittee last month - the bill would have allowed the homestead exemption to take immediate effect upon passage of the ballot amendment, rather than delaying implementation until after the General Assembly meets again to consider it. More on Del. Miller's bill here.
In the video below, Del. Kenny Alexander's motion to report the bill is defeated on a party-line vote by Del. Mark Cole's substitute motion to kill the bill for the year: HB1118 was also defeated on a party-line vote, with only Democratic Dels. Alexander, Mark Sickles, and Bud Phillips voting in support of immediate tax relief:
Republicans on the House Privileges and Elections subcommittee on Elections today killed the session's lone remaining redistricting reform measure, Sen. Creigh Deeds' SB38 (previous House versions, HB339 and HB1070 died last month). Del. John O'Bannon made the motion to pass by indefinitely, and was joined by Dels. Chris Jones and Terrie Suit:
Shortly after, an attempt from Del. Jim Scott to revive the bill in full committee failed when the chair, Del. Mark Cole, abruptly adjourned without a motion and rushed his fellow Republicans off to caucus before a recorded vote could be taken:
Another crossover has come and gone, meaning we can finally peruse the hundreds of bills that met their demise in the dark depths of unrecorded subcommittee meetings - if they were lucky enough to even get a hearing.
One of them was Del. Shannon Valentine’s Sudan divestment measure, HB556, which never made it further than the Appropriations subcommittee on Compensation and Retirement.
You can listen to Del. Valentine present her bill below:
(The lone remaining Sudan divestment initiative, SB87, has also been referred to Appropriations.)
The House of Delegates held a “marathon 10 a.m.-to-7 p.m. floor session” on crossover eve last night, acting on dozens of bills now being passed to the State Senate.
Yet, oddly, Del. Chris Saxman’s name disappears from the recorded votes taken after 5:45 PM. Saxman missed votes on immigration measures (HB1298), child safety initiatives (HB1250) - even a resolution creating Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Day.
So where’d he go?
Turns out Saxman was about 15 minutes down Interstate 64, at the Virginia Aviation Museum for a John McCain rally. Check out the video below:
Yes, this is the same Del. Saxman who wants to limit legislators from attending political events during session.
The House Republican majority today killed a pedestrian safety bill introduced by Del. Adam Ebbin - HB1270 would have required that drivers stop, rather than yield, to pedestrians in crosswalks. Del. Ebbin explains the bill below: Surprisingly, Del. Kirk Cox voted against the measure.
In a response to Del. Scott Lingamfelter on the House floor today, Del. Brian Moran spoke in defense of HB1189, Alicia's Law, which would increase funding for anti-child-exploitation law-enforcement efforts. Lingamfelter had questioned why protecting Virginia kids from sexual predators should be a budget priority.
If you'd like to check Del. Lingamfelter's budget priorities, you can see a sampling of his budget amendment items here and here (scroll down). You can also click here for more information on the importance of Alicia's Law. UPDATE: The Washington Post's Virginia Politics blog covers the exchange here.
House Republicans today defeated a floor amendment offered by Democratic leader Ward Armstrong to HB1318, which would have specified that monies deposited in the Virginia Taxpayer Surplus Relief Fund be designated for middle-class tax relief.
In the video below, Del. Scott Lingamfelter opposes the amendment, explaining that tax relief should be reserved for the wealthy.
On a party line vote today, House Republicans defeated a measure introduced by Del. Bob Brink that would eliminate a new rule that allows the majority to bypass public input and committees of expertise and put bills of their choosing directly on the floor (as they did last month).
You can watch Del. Brink explain his rules change below: Former Senators Brandon Bell (R-Roanoke County) and Marty Williams (R-Newport News) have also weighed in on the matter.
After dispatching several gun safety measures last week, the Firearms subcommittee of Militia, Police, and Public Safety met again last night. Their first victim was Del. Chuck Caputo's HB734, which would prohibit guns in public libraries. With only three members present - Republicans Tommy Wright, Scott Lingamfelter, and Morgan Griffith - the measure died when no one made a motion. Del. Caputo's HB746, which would keep guns out of child day care centers, met the same fate shortly after.
Del. Adam Ebbin’s HB1493, which would have added sexual orientation to Virginia’s nondiscrimination policy for state employees, was killed in a Courts of Justice subcommittee this afternoon on an unrecorded vote. The bill would have codified Gov. Tim Kaine’s first executive order.
Unfortunately, no video is available - but in the audio clip below, Del. Dave Marsden makes the motion to report, which is seconded by Del. David Toscano. Republicans swiftly voice their opposition, and the bill is defeated.
House Republicans are supposedly big fans of "proportional representation," but their math skills must have failed them when handing out assignments for the Firearms subcommittee of Militia, Police, and Public Safety. The group's lone Democrat is Del. David Poisson; the other 80% is comprised of GOP Delegates Tommy Wright, Morgan Griffith, Scott Lingamfelter and Dave Nutter.
As such, members don't even have to vote against a bill to kill it - if no one seconds a motion to report, the bill simply dies right then and there.
In the videos below, Del. Poisson motions to report two bills pertaining to protective orders and firearms, which both promptly die when no one offers a second.
First up: HB281 (HB608 was also rolled into this bill), which would prohibit someone with a protective order issued against them from possessing a firearm:
HB814, which would help inform law enforcement if someone subject to a protective order is in possession of a firearm, was next on the chopping block: The subcommittee also killed Del. Jim Scott's microstamping measure, HB899 and Del. Jeion Ward's HB810, which would require machine gun registrants to notify the State Police of a change of address.
This morning, House Republicans on the Militia, Police and Public Safety committee swiftly moved to reconsider HB745, the gunshow loophole bill, before any Democrats had a chance to open up debate again.
Below, you can listen to Del. Clay Athey make his motion and immediately call for a vote, thereby avoiding any further discussion of the matter:
In a failed political maneuver on the House floor today, House Republicans attempted to subvert the traditions of the House of Delegates and refused to allow Del. Adam Ebbin to withdraw his own bill from consideration. Ebbin's bill reached the floor via a new rule introduced by Republican leader Morgan Griffith, who was unable to think of a purpose for this scheme when asked during floor debate a scant two weeks ago:
Republicans in the House Rules committee referred the bill to the full floor with no recommendation and no input from the public. In protest, Democratic leader Ward Armstrong encouraged his colleagues to refuse to vote in an act of civil disobedience.
The GOP responded by revealing the true intentions of their tactic, forcing their will upon the minority by challenging their votes one by one. Del. Jeion Ward responds below:
Del. Griffith proceeded with the list.
You can read more here.
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2008
Richmond, VA -- Today, House Democrats led the way for stricter ethics reform in the Virginia General Assembly. A floor amendment offered by House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong received bi-partisan support and passed overwhelmingly. The amendment would ban legislators or statewide officials from attending an event from any organization that had given them a campaign contribution in the previous year.
The amendment was offered to HB322 sponsored by Delegate Chris Saxman. His legislation sought to make partisan issue with the Democratic Party of Virginia holding their annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner during the legislative session.
Armstrong's amendment sought to broaden that to all events held by organizations or registered lobbyists that contribute to legislators' campaign accounts.
"Today, House Democrats led the way for tougher ethic reforms," House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong said. "Rather than seeking to make partisan issue with one dinner, we believe there should be wholesale change in the way the legislature does business. We are glad that our Republican colleagues followed our lead."
Delegate Kenny Alexander offered a similar amendment in the House Privileges and Elections Committee.
"It is a great day for the people of the Commonwealth because House Democrats have led the way in fighting off influence from lobbyist and other special interests groups during the legislative session," Delegate Alexander said.
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Del. David Englin spoke on the floor today against Del. Matt Lohr's HB894, which would severely limit access to women's health services.
Del. Jeion Ward spoke on the floor today in opposition to Del. Bob Marshall's HB188, which would delay the implementation of Virginia's HPV vaccination program.
Shortly after the defeat of Del. Plum's redistricting measure, Republicans also killed Del. Brink's version, HB1070. The vote was the same, with the exception of Del. Suit, who had left the meeting.
In a predawn subcommittee meeting this morning, House Republicans killed Del. Ken Plum's HB339 - one of several redistricting reform measures before the General Assembly this session - on an unrecorded voice vote.
In the video below, Del. Plum concludes his remarks, Del. Bob Brink motions to report the bill, and Del. John O'Bannon makes a substitute motion to lay the bill on the table. He was joined by Dels. Chris Jones, Terrie Suit, and Rob Bell; Dels. Brink and Rosalyn Dance opposed the tabling.
You can read more about redistricting reform at www.fixthelines.com
For Immediate Release
January 15, 2008
Richmond, VA-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran was joined by Delegate Joe Bouchard and House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong to propose a military veterans & personnel bill of rights for those serving honorably in the armed services.
The bill is sponsored by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran and Delegate Joe Bouchard (HB 1193). This year’s effort will protect financial security for Virginians activated in our armed services, provide additional life insurance benefits for our veterans, decrease tax costs of service and protect service members from credit fraud. They also announced support for new mental health initiatives for our returning soldiers.
The four point bill would:
• Expand supplemental pay to any state employee who is on active military duty.
• Allow National Guard to participate in the group state government life insurance program
• Provide an income tax exemption for Guard and Reservists activated to service.
• Authorize members of the armed services and their spouses to freeze access to their credit reports.
They also announced their support for a proposal from the Joint Military Leadership Council to create a wounded warrior center for Virginia veterans with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other concerns.
“The men and women serving honorably overseas deserve our support at home,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said. “In trying times, Virginia must serve those who serve our Commonwealth and our country. This bill of rights expands protections for our services members, ensures their financial security and financial future, and protects them from fraud.”
“Having served and been a leader in the US Navy, I have seen how our soldiers and sailors serve with distinction and honor. They are entitled to all the support they can receive from the Commonwealth and from Washington,” Delegate Joe Bouchard said.
House Democratic leaders proposed a Veterans’ Bill of Rights during the 2007 fall elections. This legislation would be the first step towards achieving those goals.
“This November, we campaigned on taking care of our soldiers, seniors and middle class families in need. We plan on keeping our word to fight for middle class Virginians,” House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong said.
Del. Kris Amundson spoke on the floor today, urging the House to focus on real solutions for Virginians as the General Assembly session progresses. You can watch the video below:
House Republicans’ opening-week antics did not play well across Virginia:
During today’s floor session, Del. Mark Cole motioned to remove Del. Jennifer McClellan’s HJR 144 from the uncontested block of resolutions, so House Republicans could vote against it on an unrecorded voice vote instead. The resolution commends the Richmond Gay Community Foundation. You can watch Del. Cole’s motion and the subsequent voice vote in the video below:
House Democratic leader Ward Armstrong spoke on the floor this afternoon, addressing the politically-calculated committee assignments announced by Speaker Bill Howell last night. The Washington Post , Raising Kaine and Vivian Paige have more; you can listen to Del. Armstrong’s comments below:
Download (MP3, 3.86 MB)
As they did last year, the House GOP also defeated a rules change today from Del. Ward Armstrong that would have required public broadcasting of House floor sessions. You can listen to the entire exchange between Del. Armstrong and Del. Terry Kilgore below.
Download (MP3 format, 2.76 MB)
You can listen to today’s entire floor debate on House Democrats’ proposed rule change to require recorded subcommittee votes below.
Download (MP3 format, 9.01 MB)
Note that Del. Morgan Griffith’s statements stand in stark contrast to former Del. John Welch’s assertion last year that it’s a “great thing” that House Republicans “gave killing power to subcommittees.”
Today, House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran and Delegate Ken Plum will introduce a House rules change measure to require recorded votes in subcommittees.
Last session, House Republicans rejected this transparency measure on a party line vote. Since then, Republicans such as former Republican Caucus Chairman Terry Kilgore, Finance Committee chairman Bob Purkey, Tom Rust, and freshmen Delegates Donald Merricks and Brenda Pogge have pledged in a candidate questionnaire to support a rules change that would require recorded subcommittee votes. (Virginia FREE Candidate Questionnaire, 2007)
“We call on Speaker Bill Howell and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith to join leaders in their own caucus like Delegate Terry Kilgore in support of open government and giving the people of Virginia the right to know how we vote,” House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong said.
“It’s time for us to ensure accountability in state government by making sure every vote is public,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran. “Virginia is the birthplace of Democracy and Jefferson’s House deserves better than voting behind closed doors.”
“Hundreds of bills were dispensed without a recorded vote last session,” Delegate Ken Plum, who introduced the resolution last session to require recorded votes in subcommittee. “Every vote should be recorded and open to the people of Virginia. It shouldn’t matter whether it happens in a subcommittee or on the floor of the House of Delegates.”
The House Clerk’s office reports that 491 bills were killed in House subcommittees without a recorded vote in 2006. Last year, more than 840 legislative measures met their demise without a roll call vote.
“The practice of killing bills in subcommittees without recorded votes continues in the Virginia House of Delegates. Blame the House Republicans. They voted the party line Friday, opting to keep this legislation-devouring black hole in place. What a shame,” said the Bristol Herald Courier last year after Delegate Ken Plum offered his amendment to eliminate the rule. Yesterday, the Roanoke Times called on Republicans to “abandon this shameful secrecy.”
“Business leaders strongly disapprove of a new rule adopted in 2006 in the House of Delegates that allows for the defeat of legislation in House subcommittees without a recorded vote. This is a dangerous precedent that removes accountability and sunshine from the governing process,” said Virginia FREE, a bi-partisan business advocacy organization, in their Incumbent Evaluations released this spring.
