Find out how Cooch took $55,000 from the disgraced "U.S. Navy Veterans Association," in apparent exchange for his promise to get the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs (which had "notified Thompson's group that it no longer qualified for an exemption from state registration requirements") off the group's back. Can we say "pay-to-play?" Find out more.
(Interesting...Paul Goldman argues that Republicans actually HELPED Chap by purging him. - promoted by lowkell)
Well, that didn't take long for Virginia Senate Republicans to start abusing their newfound power, going for the power grab, acting in an arrogant/high-handed manner, etc. Kicking the superbly qualified Chap Petersen off the Courts of Justice Committee simply epitomizes what they're doing here. I sure hope Virginia voters are paying attention!
Senate Republicans Remove Petersen from Courts of Justice Committee
RICHMOND, VA - Today, in a widely anticipated move, the Republican leadership of the Virginia Senate seized majority control of the chamber with the tie-breaking vote of Lt. Governor Bill Bolling.
In consolidating power, the Republicans removed Senator Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) from the Courts of Justice committee, where he sat on the Civil Laws subcommittee. Senators are typically assigned to committees based on experience and interests.
Senator Petersen has practiced law for 18 years and is an equity partner in the firm of Surovell, Petersen, Isaacs & Levy, PLC. He was recently commended as one of the top 30 Virginia "Leaders of the Law" by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. He has served on the Courts of Justice committee since the 2010 legislative session.
"Obviously I would have liked to stay on the Courts of Justice committee, where my experience and legal analysis could be best utilized. I will continue my efforts to represent the people of Virginia in my other committee assignments."
The Senate Courts committee is now composed of eight Republicans and seven Democrats.
Senator J. Chapman "Chap" Petersen (www.FairfaxSenator.com) represents Virginia's 34th Senate district, located in Fairfax County. The district includes the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, portions of Fairfax, Oakton, Dunn Loring, and portions of Centerville. Currently serving his second term in the Virginia Senate, Senator Petersen has previously served as Delegate and City Councilman for the City of Fairfax.
Opposition to a blatantly anti-labor bill is beginning to build in Virginia, and State Senators Dave Marsden and Chap Petersen and Delegate David Englin are among those voicing criticism. House Bill No. 2, introduced by Delegate Bob Marshall, would prohibit Virginia from providing funding for Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metro Project if it is subject to a project labor agreement (PLA).
PLAs don't actually require projects to only hire union workers--they are a tool for taxpayer accountability. PLAs require the use of trained workers and safety standards for contractors, and worked great on Phase 1 of the project, as we pointed out previously. State Senator Dave Marsden said in a statement this week,
"What concerns me is that this bill appears to stem from an anti-union mindset that places ideology over public good and job creation. It could lead to experienced workers who performed well on Phase I being excluded from Phase II, and create the need for the expense of training new workers. Just as importantly, the PLA will create local jobs for a largely local workforce... A PLA is not always necessary on public projects, but I would ask my good friend Delegate Marshall, 'what problem are you trying to solve with this legislation?' It seems that continuing the PLA during Phase II is in keeping with good public policy. Let's not remove what has proven to be successful tool from consideration."
What do Republicans have against clean water, anyway? Do they all have something against it? Sometimes you'd think so, given the ongoing anti-environmental assault by teahadists in Congress. Closer to home, check out the following press release from the Chap Petersen for Senate reelection campaign for yet another example of this phenomenon. In this case, we have another apparently fanatic, anti-environment, extreme Teapublican candidate opposing a crucial environmental law, one that passed the Virginia Senate AND House unanimously (and was signed by Gov. McDonnell), that was totally non-controversial, and that clearly needed. Why is she opposing it? Because she claims it "was using environmental laws to shut down a local business." This is, frankly, nuts. By Culipher's "reasoning" (to use the word VERY loosely), if a corporation wanted to dump nuclear waste and coal sludge in the middle of your neighborhood, any effort to oppose that would be going against business and should be opposed. I mean, seriously, where do Republicans FIND these crazy candidates?!? Anyway, I'm just glad that Chap Petersen's in the State Senate, and that he's likely to be reelected (overwhelmingly, if his opponent is really this extreme) in a few weeks. Go Chap!
A Clear Choice: Chap Petersen for Fairfax
Culipher attacks Petersen for standing up to the owners of the Pickett Road Tank Farm, saying, "It's not the role of the legislature" to protect our communities from a known environmental polluter.
Vienna, VA- At Thursday's debate at American Legion Post 177 in the Town of Vienna, Republican challenger Gerarda Culipher criticized Senator Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) for bringing legislation to clean up the Pickett Road Tank Farm, which has been a continuing source of petroleum spills and water contamination for the past twenty years.
"I'm proud to have stood up to the owners of the Pickett Road Tank Farm for their disregard for our families, our waterways and Fairfax, because legislation that I sponsored they will have to come up to current safety standards or shut down" said Senator Petersen.
According to this article, Chap is "Upbeat About Senate Record, Re-Election Chances." Of course, Chap's always upbeat, so that's no surprise! :) Seriously, though, Chap should win reelection easily, and in this case it's well deserved. He faces token opposition, by a Republican with about 7% of his "cash-on-hand," and with no great ideas, or anything else for that matter, that particularly jumps out at you in any way. In short, Chap both deserves to win reelection, and WILL win reelection. And that's a very good thing for the people of the 34th Senate District. Go Chap!
I find it fascinating that many of the same people who supported Jim Webb over Harris Miller in 2006 are also supporting Jaime Areizaga-Soto over Barbara Favola in 2011 [NOTE: one significant exception is Jay Fisette, who serves with Favola on the County Board]. At the same time, many of the same friends of corporate/real estate interests who supported Miller in 2006 are supporting Favola in 2011. Hmmmm.
Senator Chap Petersen endorses Jaime Areizaga-Soto for State Senate Senator Petersen describes Areizaga-Soto as hard worker and passionate advocate
FAIRFAX, VA. - Today the Jaime Areizaga-Soto for State Senate campaign announced the endorsement of Fairfax Democratic Senator Chap Peterson.
"Having worked with Jaime in Richmond and Northern Virginia, I know that he is a hard worker and a passionate advocate for the community," said Petersen. "He represents a new generation of Virginians seeking leadership positions in the Commonwealth. That is something the Democratic Party needs."
Senator Petersen represents the 34th District in the Virginia State Senate. His district includes portions of Fairfax County.
"Chap has been a strong fighter for Fairfax," said Areizaga-Soto. "I will fight for Fairfax with the same vigor and passion."
UPDATE: Check out this strong endorsement for Jaime by Fairfax County Democratic Committee Sully District Volunteer of the Year in 2008, Shane Grannum. Here's the conclusion (bolding added by me for emphasis):
...Unfortunately, Caren Merrick is a strong candidate who will have the Republican freight train behind her to trash Favola's record.
That is exactly why this is Jaime Areizaga-Soto's moment to take local politics by storm and use his unique experiences as a political appointee and Lt. Colonel. That is exactly why Democrats - Progressive, moderate, and otherwise - need to band together. Because in January, it isn't really going to matter whether Favola or Areizaga-Soto is the candidate: it's going to matter whether we have a Democrat to keep the Republicans in the Governor's Mansion and General Assembly from passing whirlwind pieces of legislation that will uproot this Commonwealth for good. We need someone who can and will win, and for that reason, Jaime is our man.
This seems to be my morning to link to Republican blogs. Must be something in the summer-like autumn air or something. :) Anyway, I wanted to draw your attention to The Virginia Gentleman's interview with Chap Petersen, in which Chap covers a number of interesting topics. First, ABC privatization:
I am opposed to the plan for a couple reasons. First, the ABC franchise is a successful business for its owner, the Virginia taxpayer. I won't sell it for a discount as that would be a net loss for that state (and a gift for the buyers). Also, I am very hesitant to sell/auction off 1,000 licenses to sell hard liquor. We will be losing control of this industry and the effects will be harmful and focused on certain neighborhoods. Therefore, I oppose that aspect -- much as I opposed payday lending when that was legalized in 2002.
Well said, hopefully this plan is either Dead on Arrival or - better yet - Dead BEFORE Arrival. The main question is, what on earth were Bob McDonnell and his advisors thinking on this one? Duhhhh.
Chap has a lot more thoughts on various topics, but one worth highlighting relates to the 2013 race for governor. As of now, it appears that Terry McAuliffe is the front runner, most likely by a wide margin, but here's Chap on whether he's interested in running as well:
Yes, eventually. As for 2013, I'm focused on 2011 right now. I'm taking nothing for granted. The 34th is historically a swing district.
So, there you have it; Chap Petersen will bewill not be might be a candidate for governor in 2013. Or not. But my betting is that he will be a candidate. Let's face it, as much as Chap denies it, he believes he could be a great governor. My guess is that he also wants to beat Cooch, once and for all. Stay tuned.
Over at NLS, Ben's touting Chap Petersen as the possible way - the only way? - to stop Ken Kook-inelli from becoming governor of Virginia in 2013. Personally, I like Chap a lot, think he's very strong on environmental and economic "fairness" issues, and believe he'll make a great governor some day, but I also think it's way too early to be speculating much about 2013. For one thing, we have no idea if Kookinelli will run for Governor, for reelection as AG, or whether he'll be sharing a cell with Rod Blagojevich by then. Heh. Also, we have no idea what the political climate will be in 2013, how the Bolling-Kookinelli rivalry will play out (although I presume Cooch would crush Bolling in a Republican primary or convention), to what extent Terry McAuliffe will promote his own candidacy and even lock down the governor's nomination, whether Tim Kaine will come back to run for governor again, etc., etc. A million unknowns, in other words.
One thing I know for sure is that I don't want to see the 2009 experience repeat itself, because that was a nightmare. First and foremost, I worry that Chap! vs. T-Mac could turn into a bloodbath, allowing Rural Conservadem Creigh Deeds Part Deux (aka, Ward Armstrong) to sneak in as the two "urban crescent" Dem's destroy each other. No thanks.
Having said that, what Democrats need to do is start laying the groundwork for 2013 now. We need to be organizing, building our party, developing our candidates, defining what we stand for, speaking out against the craziness of Cooch et al, etc. If we do that, and if Cooch turns out to be as divisive and extreme as he's been the first 7 months, then Democrats have a great chance of winning back the Virginia governor's mansion in 2013. Which means we'll need the strongest candidate, someone who can appeal both in the "urban crescent" as well as not get wiped out in the "red" parts of Virginia. Could someone with the profile of Chap Petersen do that? Seems like it to me, especially after he annihilated the (seemingly) formidable Jeannemarie Devolites Davis in 2007. Anyway, now back to regularly scheduled programming. :)
In this morning's Washington Post, former Delegate and Democratic Attorney General nominee, Steve Shannon, has a powerfully argued op-ed on an important topic: "How to provide more help for unemployed Virginians". Here's an excerpt:
This is not the time to shake a fist at Washington and just say no. Gov. McDonnell has exhibited a penchant for studies and commissions. One is an Economic Development and Job Creation Commission. Currently, the commission does not have on its public agenda consideration for how to obtain the $125.5 million to assist unemployed Virginians and, as a corollary, distressed areas of Virginia where those Virginians reside.
[...]
In the meantime, Gov. McDonnell should immediately make it clear to Virginia's congressional delegation and to the leaders of his party that he favors extending long-term unemployment benefits. As this newspaper pointed out in its July 13 editorial, "Unemployment benefits, which are most apt to be immediately plowed back into the economy, are about the most stimulative form of spending. Extending them is both fiscally sensible and morally decent."
This is an opportunity for the governor to step forward and find a way to say yes to helping citizens who so need our help.
The question is, is Bob McDonnell really "Bob's for Jobs," as he said in the 2009 gubernatorial campaign that he would be if elected? So far, except for lavishing corporate welfare on his preferred industries - wine, oil, film, military-industrial complex - in return for a handful of jobs (at best), he sure hasn't shown it. How about, as Steve Shannon argues, first "find[ing] a way to say yes to helping citizens who so need our help?"
*He doesn't believe The Homestead is "a precise fit (to put it mildly) with the Democratic brand which is giving a voice to working people."
*He "largely agree[s] with the criticisms" made "on the liberal blogs" (note: do we ever see criticism of Republican schmoozefests with corporate lobbyists on the Republican blogs? Hmmmm.)
*Overall, activities at The Homestead were "pretty mundane" - cocktail parties, skeet shooting, wild orgies. OK, that last one is a joke, which is pretty much Chap's entire point, that this thing isn't really as nefarious as it sounds on the surface. That's fine, but I'm still not sure why we all shouldn't be uncomfortable about our elected officials hobnobbing for several days at a swanky resort with corporate lobbyists, in the absence of any media "sunshine" on the whole thing.
*Finally, Chap repeats his call to reform Virginia's lax campaign finance "laws that permit unlimited donations, both personal and corporate." Unfortunately, Chap points out, as long as the system remains intact, he has little choice but to operate within it. Which is exactly why we need reform, such as a system of public financing, for our electoral process. In short, we need to separate our elected officials from the powerful and the wealthy, so that they respond proportionally more to the "regular people" rather than those who can afford to buy access. Even if there are many good politicians, like Chap Petersen and Donald McEachin out there, who are ethical despite the system, that doesn't mean everyone else is like Chap and Donald. Regardless, we should change the system so that we get rid of even the appearance of impropriety. We should do this, but I'm not holding my breath that we will, at least anytime soon, in Virginia. Sigh.
A lively crowd of about 130 jammed Ikon Sports Bar in the City of Fairfax on Thursday evening to celebrate State Senator Chap Petersen's annual Young Lawyers' party. The fund raiser attracted an interesting mix of plenty of not-young and not-lawyers, as well as many independents and Republicans, showing support for their Democratic Senator. Senator Petersen spoke briefly about representing the interests and concerns of the residents of the 34th District. Below are some photos of the crowd, taken by Catherine Read.
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Well, that didn't take long for Virginia Senate Republicans to start abusing their newfound power, going for the 
Opposition to a blatantly anti-labor bill is beginning to build in Virginia, and State Senators 
I find it fascinating that many of the same people who supported Jim Webb over Harris Miller in 2006 are also supporting Jaime Areizaga-Soto over Barbara Favola in 2011 [NOTE: one significant exception is Jay Fisette, who serves with Favola on the County Board]. At the same time, many of the same 
This seems to be my morning to link to Republican blogs. Must be something in the summer-like autumn air or something. :) Anyway, I wanted to draw your attention to 
In this morning's Washington Post, former Delegate and Democratic Attorney General nominee, Steve Shannon, has a powerfully argued op-ed on an important topic: 
I've already given 
