Sunday, April 7, 2013
Virginia's legislature passed an amendment prohibiting some insurance companies from providing abortion coverage.
This week, Virginia’s legislature approved a measure by Gov. Bob McDonnell that prohibits certain health insurance companies from providing coverage for women seeking an abortion. The exceptions to the insurance coverage rule are in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. While the new Virginia legislation isn’t as restrictive of abortions as recent legislation passed in North Dakota and Alabama, critics are concerned about the financial effect the legislation may have on a woman’s decision. Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) said, “Women should be able to make decisions about their own health care without interference from politicians here in the state Capitol.” The Virginia Society for Human Life, an anti-abortion group, …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ebbin: Proposed law was aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender state employees.
A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee this week tabled a bill that would have prevented the state government from discriminating against someone based on their sexual orientation, essentially killing the matter for this legislative session. "What it means is that it's still perfectly legal to fire somebody because of their sexual orientation," state Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, told Patch. Ebbin and Sen. Don McEachin, a Richmond Democrat, were the primary sponsors of the bill, which passed the Senate late last month 24-16. Most of Virginia's top 25 employers have nondiscrimination policies in place that include sexual orientation, according to Ebbin's office. In 2005, then-Gov. Mark Warner issued an executive order that protected …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Arlington's senators and delegates were among those supporting bicyclists and bicycle safety legislation in Richmond for Bicycle Action Day on Tuesday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, January 30
By Katherine Johnson and Blake Belden Capital News Service Several state senators and delegates representing Arlington joined Virginia bicyclists Tuesday for a Bicycle Action Day in Richmond, an event designed to support state legislators who are introducing bills that aim to make roads and biking safer across the commonwealth. Proposed legislation aims to make it illegal for a driver of a vehicle to follow a bicycle too closely, increase the acceptable passing distance so bicyclists don't get hit by car mirrors and implement other safety rules. About 15 bicyclists — members of RideRichmond, a nonprofit organization of bicycle enthusiasts, and their supporters – met on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus and biked to the General …
Friday, July 27, 2012
The 45th House District Nominating Committee convened on Thursday to organize a caucus to nominate a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates.
Just days after Gov. Bob McDonnell called for a special Sept. 4 election to fill the soon-to-be empty 45th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, Democrats in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax have laid the groundwork for a last-minute caucus to choose a nominee. The 45th District includes Alexandria, parts of southern Arlington County including Fairlington, and a portion of the Huntington-Belle Haven area of Fairfax County. The seat is being vacated by Del. David Englin, who recently announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. On Thursday evening, the nominating committee decided to offer two opportunities for registered voters to participate in the caucus. Craig Fifer, chairman of the 45th House District Nominating Committee…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Alexandria's Sen. Adam Ebbin called the House of Delegates' debate "homophobic."
The state House of Delegates voted 33-31, with 10 abstentions, to reject Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland's bid to become a General District Court judge, saying his support for gay marriage made him a poor candidate for the bench. Openly gay state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30th District), told The Washington Post's Virginia Politics blog: "The debate in the House of Delegates was homophobic and embarrassing and showed a disrespect to a chief deputy commonwealth attorney and decorated veteran who was honorably discharged." Gov. Bob McDonnell said through a spokesman that a judicial nominee's sexual orientation should not be an issue. Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th District), the Family Foundation and others said they did not object to a …
Friday, April 6, 2012
Arlington School Board member will run for 45th District seat in House of Delegates.
Arlington School Board member James Lander will run for the 45th District House of Delegates seat that Del. David Englin is leaving, according to the Sun Gazette. Lander, a Democrat, was elected in 2009 to the Arlington School Board. He currently works as a program manager at Goodwill Industries International. “It’s not enough to go down to Richmond and shout down the opposition,” Lander told the Sun Gazette. “You can find common ground. I want to find a way to build those bridges.” Englin, a Democrat and four-term delegate, said Monday he would not seek re-election. He said he wants to focus on his marriage and his family after admitting to an extramarital affair. Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka, also a Democrat, announced Tuesday…
Jackieh
11:51 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sure we are...maybe vasectomies too. These are the old white men making rules for the women of Virginia. We ladies have to rebel and make sure we throw them out of office. And make sure Ken Cooch doesn't get elected. He makes Trans Vaginal Probe Bob look like a flaming liberal. more ›