The following statement is from Sen. Donald McEachin:
Statement by Senator Donald McEachin on GA's Failure to Appoint Tracy Thorne-Begland
RICHMOND, VA - Today, Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) made the following statement on the General Assembly's failure to appoint Tracy Thorne-Begland to the Richmond District Court.
"Tracy Thorne-Begland is a highly qualified and exceptionally competent prosecutor, who also served our country with honor as a Navy pilot. The blatant prejudice that Republicans displayed last night should have no place in our government. The GOP took Virginia back to the bigotry and mean-spirited prejudice of the 1960s. I thought we had made more progress toward a just society than this.
"The only criteria legislators should apply when selecting judges are that person's ability to fairly and impartially weigh the law. Mr. Thorne-Begland's qualifications for appointment to the bench were unimpeachable, but Republicans cynically voted against his appointment just because he was gay," said Senator McEachin.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 15. The photo is of Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney (for Richmond) Tracy Thorne-Begland -- see below and in the comments section for a lot more on his nomination's rejection late last night by Virginia's homophobic and/or cowardly Republicans.
The following press release is from the Virginia House Democrats:
House of Delegates Repudiates McDonnell's Budget Amendments
Today, the members of the General Assembly returned to Richmond to consider 107 amendments to the 2012-2014 budget proposed by Governor McDonnell.
The result was unprecedented bipartisan agreement to reject more than 20 amendments including proposed changes making it more difficult to provide state employee bonuses, a legislative study that would have jeopardized cost of competing funds, providing $3.0 million in additional funding to the Governor to spend without legislative oversight, and elimination of $2.2 million for Area Agencies on Aging.
"It is a rare occasion to see Republican members of the House of Delegates stand on the floor, again and again, and object to the proposals of their Governor," said Mark Sickles, Caucus Chairman (D-Franconia). "While our caucus had fundamental disagreements with the content of the budget, the Governor's recommendations were simply out of touch with the priorities expressed by both sides. Today's actions do not make this budget notably better, but the rejection of the Governor's amendments keep from making it any worse."
"Several of the Governor's amendments that were rejected today were considered as legislation during the session and during prior budget discussions," said David J. Toscano, House Democratic Leader (D-Charlottesville). "If the Governor had consulted with the legislature before submitting these recommendations, he would have realized that they were inconsistent with the priorities of our citizens."
The new state budget will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Monday, May 14. Also, check out the video, "Romney Economics: Bankruptcy and Bailouts at GST Steel."
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday (Mother's Day), May 13. Also, check out President Obama as he "wishes a happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there" and "shares why First Lady Michelle Obama is the best mom he knows, how his mom and grandmother influenced him, and how the model of strong, responsible, and loving women have been a great gift to his daughters."
Wow, I missed the "idiots" quote in this morning's Post. So, basically, Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton said out loud what Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, Ken Kookinelli et al. most likely think - contempt for government at all levels. So, if they hate it so much, why do they want to be part of it? Uhhhh.
Statement from House Democratic Leader Toscano in Response to Secretary Connaughton's Remarks
Richmond - Today, Secretary Connaughton was quoted by a national newspaper stating that both legislators and legislative staff are "idiots."
"We cannot afford to lose our civility in our public discourse. These comments do not help," said House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville).
On more than one occasion this year, when discussing critical matters facing the Commonwealth, the rhetoric used by members of the House of Delegates and now the Governor's administration has crossed the line. Our state, once prized for its ability to be reasonable and measured in our debate, continues to have its reputation tarnished.
It is one thing to criticize elected officials, who put themselves in the public spotlight by running for office. It is quite another thing to criticize legislative staffers who are simply trying to do the best job they can with the resources that we provide them. Every legislator understands the important role that legislative staff plays in the development of policy and day-to-day execution of legislative work from drafting bills to communication with our constituents. On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, I would like to thank all of our dedicated public servants for their hard work on our behalf.
It is my hope that Secretary Connaughton will join me in thanking these valued civil servants for all the work they do to make this Commonwealth a better place to live.
As a representative of Governor McDonnell, we all expect more from him.
Over at DNC member (and candidate for reelection) Frank Leone's blog DemRulz, there's an announcement of a "DNC Unity Team" comprised of Leone, Hampton Vice Mayor George Wallace, Mame Reiley and Doris Crouse-May. As I read the announcement, a couple things jumped out at me.
The first was George Wallace's claim that he "has the support of leaders of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus." At best, that's very confusing; at worst, it seems to be intentionally misleading. In fact, Del. Lionell Spruill has announced that he's been endorsed by "11 of 12 members of the VA Legislative House Black Caucus, including Vice Chair Del. Rosalyn Tyler [and] Immediate Past Chair Del. Kenny Alexander." For his part, George Wallace doesn't appear to have been endorsed publicly by any African American members of the Virginia House of Delegates, and as far as I can determine, no African American Virginia State Senators have endorsed Wallace publicly as of yet (although my understanding is that Mamie Locke is supporting Wallace). Regardless, Wallace's claim to have "the support of leaders of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus" appears to be somewhat of a stretch.
I contacted DNC candidate Ben Tribbett for comment on this. In Ben's view, what Wallace is doing in implying support by the VA Legislative House Black Caucus' leadership is "extremely misleading" and "needs to be taken down," as "voters are being intentionally misled" by this. Ben adds that "this is the type of thing you'd expect from Republicans, not from Democrats." Finally, Ben pointed out that since this is a "Unity Team," each member is responsible for seeing to it that misinformation is corrected.
Speaking of the "Unity Team," that's the second thing that jumped out at me. My initial reaction was confusion over why people needed to run as a ticket for DNC at all. I asked Ben Tribbett about this, and he said he thought a ticket was unnecessary, as "people are perfectly capable of picking 2 out of 4 [male] candidates for the contested slots" (note: there are 2 female candidates running for 2 positions, so their elections are assured).
Beyond that, Ben believes that the "Unity Ticket" is yet another example of the "problems plaguing DPVA," in which "there's a small group of people who feel the need to control every single election," instead of just letting candidates run and voters make their decisions. For me, it brings back bad memories of how in 2006, the party insiders decided they wanted Harris Miller as our party's nominee, and how if it weren't for Jim Webb's surprise entry into the race, combined with a huge surge of grassroots support for his candidacy, then Harris Miller it would have been. Blech.
Anyway, this should be an interesting election on June 2 in Fairfax. From what I can determine, it's anyone's guess at this point which two male candidates will be elected. Stay tuned...
The following is from Virginia House Democratic Leader David Toscano (D-Charlottesville):
GOVERNOR MCDONNELL'S "PICK ME" TOUR; A DEMOCRATIC VIEW
By David J. Toscano, House Democratic Leader
Governor McDonnell just spent the last six days traveling across Virginia and more than $400,000 on TV ads designed to rehabilitate an image tarnished by the recent General Assembly session. However, no amount of campaign stops and television ads can erase the embarrassment Governor McDonnell and his Republican allies brought to Virginia in 2012.
Republicans used their majorities to push through radically conservative legislation, most notably a bill that will force women to undergo embarrassing, expensive, and medically unnecessary ultrasounds, and then would force them to pay for that very procedure. Republicans passed a law allowing faith based adoption agencies to discriminate against loving parents.
Finally, in an attempt to fix a problem that does not exist, Republicans are pressuring the Governor to sign legislation that effectively disenfranchises voters across Virginia, including students, African-Americans, and seniors.
While fighting against Republicans' efforts to jerk Virginia radically to the right, Democrats focused on a positive agenda to better fund our schools, provide greater funding for transportation, make health care more affordable, and protect the rights of women.
Education is Virginia's best jobs program. The only way that our children will be able to compete in a 21st century global economy is if we provide them a first class education. Governor McDonnell's proposed budget seriously shortchanged K-12 education, and House Democrats successfully fought to restore a significant amount the funding. But more needs to be done. We still grossly underpay our teachers (we rank 31st among the states), and Virginia's per pupil spending is lower than what was spent in 2009.
Yet another year has passed without a comprehensive transportation solution. Citizens who sit in traffic every day instead of spending that time at work or with their families know the importance of getting Virginia moving again. The lack of funding for transportation is highlighted in a new report by the Hampton Roads transportation Planning Organization which shows that Virginia ranks second to last in the nation in new highway construction. The Governor's solution imposes new fees on middle class families by supporting expensive tolls in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Taxing through tolls and borrowing money is not a comprehensive solution. That is why Democrats are pushing not only for a statewide solution but also for more funding for transit and rail, including additional funding for Dulles Rail - arguably the most significant economic development project in the Commonwealth.
Finally, House Democrats successfully fought against the Governor's plans to cut funding for Community Health Centers and Free Clinics, while arguing for the creation of the Virginia Health Marketplace. The marketplace would allow customers and small businesses to have access to better information about health care plans and their costs, thereby increasing competition and driving down costs.
In Virginia, there is a clear alternative. Whether it's education, transportation, or women's health care, Virginia Democrats continue to push comprehensive, practical solutions. With so many Virginia families worried about the direction of our economy, Democrats are focused not on a narrow social agenda but on policies that will create opportunity and jobs for the future, while building the infrastructure that will allow the Commonwealth and its citizens to compete and succeed in the years ahead.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, May 9. Oh, and screw you North Carolinians who voted for your hate amendment yesterday. You are pitiful.
P.S. Also, congratulations to Toby Quaranta, former Executive Director of the Virginia Young Democrats, on his election as president of the Young Democrats of the District of Columbia!
Governor McDonnell can't make up his mind on Senate Bill 1, the bill that would systematically prevent young people, seniors, minorities, and the poorest Virginians from voting.
In 2012, it’s essential that we don’t turn back the clock on voting rights in Virginia. You can't have democracy if some groups are systematically under-represented. This bill will make it more difficult for older folks to vote, for lower-income Virginians to vote, for those with disabilities, and for African-Americans to vote. Join me: sign the petition and tell Governor McDonnell to veto the voter suppression bill.
In Florida, you must register to register persons to vote unless they are immediate family or you work for the state. It is more difficult to register voters there than it is to get a concealed carry permit in Virginia. McDonnell is missing the boat on the voter ID veto.
As indicated last week, the voter ID bill that the Governor seems intent to allow to go into law without his signature is unimaginative child's play on the part of Virginia Republicans. In Florida, other than the two exceptions, anyone who solicits or collects any voter registration application is or is an agent of a Third-Party Voter Registration Organization (3PVRO). Some specific responsibilities of 3PVROs:
Timely submit all voter registration applications collected, including incomplete applications
Serve as a fiduciary for the applicants from which it collects voter registration applications
Ensure its assigned ID # is on any voter registration application
Keep its registration and registration agents' information updated within 10 days of any change
File monthly reports on Form DS-DE 123 no later than the 10th of each month reflecting an accounting of all registration forms it provided to and received from its registration agents during the preceding month
So why, in a year that he could be on the Republican national ticket, McDonnell even hesitates is the bigger question. And the biggest question of all is why, if he is the leader of the state party, he cannot manage to influence his own party members in the legislature to let go of this voter ID nonsense. Next year, he and his could ramp up suppression so much more effectively following Florida's (and ALEC's?) lead.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Monday, May 7. Also, check out the great photos (including the one here), by The Richmonder, of President Obama's "Ready to Go" Rally in Richmond on Saturday.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, May 6. Also, here's some video from yesterday's Obama for President rally in Richmond. Sounds like a great event, verrrry different (in terms of size, enthusiasm, diversity, activity level, you name it) from a Romney "rally."
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, May 5. Also, check out President Obama's weekly address, "A New Chapter in Afghanistan."
A couple of months ago, Frank Leone opined that "Virginia Democrats Shouldn't Vote in GOP Primaries." His legalistic rationale: it's "malevolent interference." Well, here's the bottom line, without a Democratic candidate in the race, Republicans have all the say. There's nothing malevolent about wanting a vote in your representation.
"One caveat - there may be the rare time when people actually think a GOP candidate is worth voting for (McCain in 2000, some would say) - but mostly Democrats think that they want to vote for the 'weaker' GOP candidate. Don't bother." - Leone
Frank seems blind to the fact that Virginia Democrats increasingly have no say in local and state elections unless they vote in Republican primaries or for Republicans. City and County Democratic Committees are reluctant for many reasons (some not so honorable) to field any candidates at all. And if there is no Democratic candidate, then the only say Democrats have is by voting in the Republican primary or backing an Independent or Republican in the general election, hoping a less reactionary soul will win out. That is not malevolent. It is informed self-interest. Frank is really expressing the self-cultivated paranoia of the DPVA Central Committee. They know Republicans pull off malevolence without a hitch. They also know that they just don't have what it takes to organize a successful raid on a Republican primary.
In Part 2 of my interview with DNC candidate Ben Tribbett, we discussed how DNC membership should not be a "lifetime achievement award" or "gold watch," but a place for someone "who wants to DO something with the position rather than BE something with the position." In Part 3, below, Ben explains why we need to democratize the Democratic Party of Virginia. For instance, Ben advocates allowing the grassroots, not just "some attorney on Central Committee" (hmmmm...wonder who he could possibly be talking about there - lol) having a voice in deciding on DPVA resolutions - on issues like the public option (support!), Citizens United (oppose!), etc. In the past, my understanding is that many of these resolutions have been watered down or even killed by one or more of those attorneys on Central Committee, without ANY consideration of what the grassroots might happen to feel about the issue. That's absurd. Ben also notes that if DPVA is going to hit up people for money by claiming they will be "members" of DPVA, then they should give those "members" a real voice in running DPVA. Right now, that isn't the case. Why not?!?
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Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 15. The photo is of Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney (for Richmond) Tracy Thorne-Begland -- see below and in the comments section for a lot more on his nomination's rejection late last night by Virginia's homophobic and/or cowardly Republicans.
Wow, I missed 
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, May 11.
The following is from Virginia House Democratic Leader David Toscano (D-Charlottesville):
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 8.
In Florida, you must register to register persons to vote unless they are immediate family or you work for the state. It is more difficult to register voters there than it is to get a concealed carry permit in Virginia. McDonnell is missing the boat on the voter ID veto.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Monday, May 7. Also, check out the great photos (including the one here), by 
A couple of months ago, Frank Leone opined that 
