State Republicans refuse to address voting issues

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

The state Senate approved a bill Monday allowing Virginians age 65 and older to vote by absentee ballot without having to provide an excuse.

Currently, Virginians are allowed to vote absentee only if they cannot get to the polls on Election Day for certain reasons, such as military service or jury duty. Last week, a Senate panel killed a bill that would have allowed any registered voter to vote absentee, but it approved a measure to allow seniors to do so.

On Monday, the Senate voted 28-9 for that bill, sponsored by Sen. John Miller (D-Newport News) and Sen. Jeffrey L. McWaters (R-Virginia Beach). All of those opposed were Republicans.

Why can’t anyone vote absentee?   Don’t get me wrong.  I am glad the vintage folks can vote absentee.  Usually it required bending of the truth.  But everyone should be able to without lying.  It would save the state money in the first place.  How many people would opt to vote absentee if given the choice?

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McDonnell proposes radical transportation plan, increase in sales tax

MoonHowler

Roanoke Times:

RICHMOND — Virginia’s gasoline tax would be eliminated and its retail sales tax would increase from 5 percent to 5.8 percent under a transportation funding plan Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled Tuesday.

The governor’s proposal also would increase vehicle registration fees, impose a $100 annual fee on alternative fuel vehicles and shift revenue from the state’s general fund to provide more dollars for roads, rail and transit. McDonnell said the complete funding package could generate more than $3.1 billion in additional transportation funding over the next five years.

Administration officials said part of the revenue from a proposed $15 increase in vehicle registration fees would pay for the extension of passenger rail service to Roanoke, though it’s unclear how soon that would be available.

This doesn’t make the least bit of sense.  Let’s make those who use the roads pay for the roads and keep the sales tax out of it.

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What’s an opportunistic carpetbagger?

MoonHowler

Terry McAuliffe

Democratic Terry McAuliffe has often been referred to by Republicans and Democrats alike as an “opportunistic carpetbagger.”  Just what is that?

Northern Virginians are often seen as not being “real Virginians.”  Stop laughing. It’s true.  I grew up in Charlottesville, therefore I have real Virginian cred which I have almost lost because I have spent my adult live here in Northern Virgina.  I have even had people say, “back when you were a Virginian….”  Go north of Bull Run and you are doomed.  Just doomed.

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Marshall proposes bill requiring Virginia teachers to be armed

MoonHowler

armed teachers

Washingtonpost.com:

Del. Robert G. Marshall is proposing a bill that would require some teachers or other school staff to carry concealed weapons in schools.

Marshall (R-Prince William) requested that the bill be drafted in response to the mass shooting last week at a Connecticut elementary school.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) said this week that there should be a discussion about whether school staff should be allowed to carry concealed weapons to protect children against intruders.

Marshall’s proposal goes beyond the governor’s comments, which were made in the course of a radio interview Tuesday. Marshall would not only allow staff with concealed handgun permits to carry them in schools, but require school districts to designate some staff members to do so. Those employees would have to be certified in gun safety and competence, Marshall said.

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Bill Bolling to drop out of gubernatorial race

MoonHowler

Politico.com:

Virginia Lt. Gov Bill Bolling is expected to drop out of next year’s  gubernatorial race Wednesday morning, leaving Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli  with a clear path to the GOP nomination next year, two Virginia Republicans tell  POLITICO.

Bolling, now in his second term as lieutenant governor, was widely seen as  the underdog against the conservative Cuccinelli, whose supporters engineered a  move to change the 2013 nominating process from a primary to a convention.  Conservatives typically dominate Virginia GOP conventions.

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The Cooch in a blue state

MoonHowler

I am reminded of an old Bobby  Vinton record, ” Blue on Blue”  …Blue on Blue, leart ache on heart ache…so on and so forth.

What’s the Cooch to do?  He is the darling of the Religious Right and darling of the Tea Party.  Ooops, big cross over on the old Venn Diagram with that one.  Where does Tuesday’s election leave  that bad-boy attorney general?

From the Washington Post:

Firebrand conservative Kenneth Cuccinelli, now attorney general, is running, upsetting the state Republican establishment that badly wants mild-mannered and reliable Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling as its gubernatorial candidate.

Cuccinelli, who has gained national attention for his strong positions against climate change, homosexuals and abortion, had been riding the Tea Party wave of distrust and resentment of government and mainstream politicians.

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Va. Health Commissioner resigns over new abortion clinic regulations

MoonHowler

 

Washingtonpost.com:

RICHMOND — Virginia’s health commissioner abruptly stepped down Thursday over proposed new regulations that would require abortion facilities to meet strict, hospital-style building standards that many clinics say would put them out of business.

In her resignation letter, Karen Remley, a pediatrician first appointed by then-governor Timothy M. Kaine in 2008, said: “Unfortunately, how specific sections of the Virginia Code pertaining to the development and enforcement of these regulations have been and continue to be interpreted has created an environment in which my ability to fulfill my duties is compromised and in good faith I can no longer serve in my role.”

I doubt that the anti-choice right will be crying the blues over her resignation.  That frees up another spot for an extremist position.  The extremists will say and do anything to advance their agenda.

Dr. Karen Remley is to be commended for her personal integrity as well as her dedication to safe women’s health practices in Virginia.  She knows that the TRAP laws turning abortion clinics into mini hospitals are simply a ruse to make abortion more difficult, less accessible and more expensive.  She knows that Ken Cuccinelli acted unethically and perhaps illegally when he failed to certifiy the recommendation of the State Health Board.

We should all be worried when someone’s zealotry replaces the Rule of Law.

VA unique with religious exemptions

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

Nearly 7,000 Virginia children whose families have opted to keep them out of public school for religious reasons are not required to get an education, the only children in the country who do not have to prove they are being home-schooled or otherwise educated, according to a study.

Virginia is the only state that allows families to avoid government intrusion once they are given permission to opt out of public school, according to a report from the University of Virginia’s School of Law. It’s a law that is defended for promoting religious freedom and criticized for leaving open the possibility that some children will not be educated.

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Mr. Goode could be Mr. BAD for the GOP

MoonHowler


Oh Dear God, its all up to Ken Cuccinelli whether or not Virgil Goode stays on the presidential  ballot.  You know the answer already.  I am betting on the Lucy trick.  Yes, Ken Cuccinelli promises to be fair and unbiased.  Watch him snatch the ballot  out from under Virgil Goode faster than Lucy snatches the football out from under Charlie Brown.

“Absolutely Objective” and Ken Cuccinelli are just 2 terms that don’t seem to go together.   Oil and Water.  Fire and Ice. Cuccinelli supports Romney.  He was one of his chief cheer leaders at the GOP Convention.   I am not sure *I* could be completely objective.   Cuccinelli is known for playing loose with political ethics for causes he believe correct.  He even tried to change the State Seal of Virginia because Lady Virtue had an exposed breast (such as it was) peeping out from under her tunic.

The State Board of Elections says Virgil Goode stays on the ballot but Ken Cuccinelli owns the power.

Rachel Maddow is right.  Ken Cuccinelli and Virgil Goode take on national importance.  This isn’t an ordinary year.  Mr. Goode could be Mr.  BAD for the GOP.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Virginia’s Voter ID Requirements

MoonHowler

Here are Virginia’s most recent voting requirements. Note, you will no longer be allowed to come in without ID and sign an affidavit.

Under the previous Virginia law, voting officials could require identification at the polls, but was it not required.  It was a felony to lie. This past year, the General Assembly passed legislation that requires all voters to present one of the following to vote: a voter registration card, social security card, a valid Virginia driver’s license or government ID, passport, valid Virginia student ID, employer photo ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows the voters name and address.

DOJ has blocked voter identification changes in several southern states, but cleared Virginia’s voting law changes this week.   Our law allows a broader number of documents to establish identity.

Everyone should have their new voter ID card from the State Board of Elections also.

I can’t think of a reason why anyone wouldn’t have one of those forms, regardless of how old or poor they are.   Perhaps I have overlooked something.

PWC teachers in big trouble over SOL testing

MoonHowler

From the Washingtonpost.com:

Several Prince William County teachers, some of whom were placed on administrative leave, will have to undergo retraining after giving students inappropriate help on state-mandated exams, and students were required to retake tests, according to a school official.

County schools spokesman Phil Kavits said the teachers, who were supposed to interact minimally with students during testing in the spring, were overzealous in offering assistance

Twenty-eight students had to retake tests, Kavits said. He could not say exactly how many teachers were involved.

The testing problems were first reported Tuesday in the Washington Examiner.

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Cuccinelli distinquishes himself as a loser

MoonHowler

 

 

 

 

Columnist Robert McCartney has declared Gubinatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli a multiple legal loser.  Why?  Cuccinelli keeps batting out in his rather grandiose legal challenges.  The Washington Post today reminds us about his failed lawsuits that pandered to his base–health care and climate change being his biggest swing and a miss challenges.

 With two new, major court defeats last week, Cuccinelli’s record is almost as woeful.

… Cuccinelli is used to coming up short. Although he’s won battles over voter redistricting and Medicaid fraud, he’s had a remarkable number of losses on closely watched cases. Ironically, his much-publicized complaint against Obamacare didn’t even make it to the Supreme Court, because an appeals court tossed it out on grounds that he lacked standing to sue.

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UVA to bear the cost of the Dragas-bungled ouster

MoonHowler

Governor Bob O’Donnell is giving himself another black eye. This time it is for dodging the issue at UVA.  Not only has McDonnell dodged the issue, it is he who appointed the leader of the ouster,    Rector Helen  Dragas, from a mere post on the Board of Visitors to the University Rector (chairman of the BoV).

Dragas has bungled her attempt to overthrow popular President Teresa Sullivan.  42 Department chairs have taken a stand against her behavior.  The Faculty Senate has condemned her and the Board of Visitors  in support of Sullivan.   Student and faculty protests and demonstrations have been ongoing since the announcement of Sullivan’s ouster.

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Speaker Howell: I guess I’m not speaking in little enough words for you to understand.

MoonHowler

From the Women’s Strike Force:

      The Women’s Strike Force condemns Speaker Howell’s demeaning and condescending rhetoric aimed at Anna Scholl, executive director of ProgressVA.  During an exchange captured on video, Scholl questioned Howell’s dissatisfaction with a ProgressVA report. As usual, Speaker Howell’s offensive attitude towards women surfaced.  Howell’s remark to Scholl that “I guess I’m not speaking in little enough words for you to understand” is demonstrative of the legisltature’s outrageously offensive attacks on women’s rights. 

 

            The Women’s Strike Force applauds Scholl’s response to Howell, Scholl responded “I’m a smart girl, actually. I went to the University of Virginia; I benefited from public education; I think words with multiple syllables would be just fine for me.”

Why would speaker Howell address anyone like that?  Anna Scholl was being perfectly polite to him.  He simply must just be a rude pig.  There is no other explanation.  He owes Anna Scholl an apology and he needs to disassociate himself with ALEC, American Legislative Exchange Council.

The smug look he carries around on his face says it all.

http://www.progressva.org/

Eminent Domain to be on ballot this fall

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

Virginians will decide at the polls this fall if the state Constitution should be amended to make it harder for government to seize property by eminent domain.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (Cliff Owen – Associated Press) Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) this week signed legislation calling for the November referendum.

The measure was inspired by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld the right of governments to take private property for economic development projects.

The legislation passed the House and Senate last year. It came before the General Assembly again this year because in order to amend Virginia’s Constitution, the proposed change must pass the General Assembly twice, with an election in between. Then, it must be approved by voters through referendum.

Nothing got people’s hackles up like the Eminent Domain  Supreme Court case decided back in 2005.  The very idea that the government can seize someone’s property.  Although the moderates and liberals were fairly outraged, not one did the mad thing like the conservatives.   What I find interesting is that those calling for the City of Manassas to seize the property in Georgetown South and at 9500 Liberty Street seem come from the conservative wings of the City.

I suppose it all depends on the language of this proposed amendment.   I remember back when the interstates went through Virginia.  If the state wanted your land, they took it, paid you what they thought it was worth and that was the end of that.  Public good.  The State certainly should have to work hard to take your land.  I expect I will vote for the amendment but all depends on the language.

What will you do?  Is it  a shoe-in since this year is a presidential election?

Virginia Property Rights Coalition