Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Senate Democrats shift committee assignments
Leaders shrank one committee rather than fill a seat once held by the GOP.
General Assembly 2011
Among the major issues: The state's continuing efforts to provide services with fewer dollars and Gov. McDonnell's plan to privatize liquor stores. Session ends Feb. 26.
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RICHMOND -- Senate Democrats used a slightly expanded majority to muscle through new committee assignments Monday, changing the makeup of panels that help craft the state budget and shape laws affecting gun control, education and abortion rights.
Democrats moved to reapportion committee assignments after gaining a seat in last week's special election to replace Republican Ken Cuccinelli, who is now the attorney general. Democrats hold a 22-18 majority in the Senate, but Republicans complained that their counterparts went too far in stacking some high-profile committees.
"We're here to do the people's work," said Sen. William Wampler, R-Bristol. "Diluting one party's position on any committee is not, in my mind, what is in the best interest of the people of Virginia."
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax County, defended the shake-up, saying it was "as fair if not fairer" than the way Republicans apportioned committees in 2001 and 2004, when special elections forced changes to Senate committees.
Saslaw noted that no sitting Republican senator was pulled off of a committee when assignments were juggled.
Democrats eliminated a seat on the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee, leaving them with a 9-6 majority on the panel. Democrats chose to shrink the committee rather than appoint a replacement for former Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, who has left the Senate and was succeeded by a Republican.
Democrats gained two seats on the Courts of Justice Committee, giving them a 10-5 advantage on a panel that helps shape criminal law. The committee's new makeup could alter the prospects for gun legislation in a year when pro-gun lawmakers are looking to ease certain state firearms restrictions.
Moderate Democrats and Republicans effectively served as a pro-gun coalition on the committee in recent years, though the panel did vote last year for legislation to expand background checks at gun shows.
"It's probably still a close vote," Saslaw said.
The new assignments were announced on a day when hundreds of gun-rights supporters rallied on the Capitol grounds and lobbied lawmakers. Democrats insisted that gun issues played no role in the new committee assignments.
"It wasn't something that was discussed," said Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, a courts committee member with a pro-gun voting record.
Democrats Donald McEachin of Richmond and Chap Petersen of Fairfax were added to the courts committee to replace Cuccinelli and Stolle. Both Democrats voted last year for a bill that would close the so-called "gun-show loophole." But Petersen also supported legislation that would allow people with permits to carry concealed handguns in establishments that serve alcohol.
"I voted for it before," Petersen said Monday. "Like any legislation, I want to see the details."
Democrats gained two seats on the Education and Health Committee, giving them 10 of the 15 slots on a panel that deals with education policy and frequently has blocked new abortion restrictions. The Democrats are expanding their majority at a time when Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, will be pushing to expand the number of charter schools in the state and implement merit pay for teachers.
