Thursday, February 25, 2010
General Assembly notebook: House again says no to clotheslines
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.
The latest
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- Gilbert expresses regret for abortion remarks
- Senate rebuffs McDonnell, rejects teacher contract change
From today's paper
- Va. House passes abortion-related bills
- Newspaper ad bills OK'd by House, head to Senate
- Follow state and local political coverage from The Roanoke Times
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RICHMOND -- Call it what you will, the House of Delegates is still not clothesline-friendly.
Last year Sen. Toddy Puller, D-Fairfax County, sponsored a bill to prohibit community associations from banning "wind energy drying devices," otherwise known as clotheslines. The measure passed the Senate but died in the House.
This year Puller tried a different name for the onetime backyard fixtures: "natural drying devices."
Her bill, Senate Bill 221, was prompted by a constituent whose community association wouldn't let her put up a clothesline. It passed the Senate 37-3.
But the House panel tabled the measure, effectively killing it. The 5-2 vote broke down along party lines, Democrats for and Republicans against.
-- The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Chambers OK measure on flags in neighborhoods
A bill aimed at allowing decorated combat veterans to fly the American flag is headed for the governor's approval.
The measure approved this week would allow anyone who lives in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association to display the flag according to the U.S. Flag Code.
But the bill would allow associations the right to create "reasonable restrictions" if they think they need to "protect a substantial interest" of the group.
Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William County, introduced the measure in response to a case involving Army Col. Van Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor veteran who initially was banned from flying a flag from a front-yard pole.
-- The Associated Press
Bill aims to crack down on alcohol service
Restaurants and bars that continue to serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals beware.
That seems to be the message of a bill sponsored by Del. John O'Bannon which passed the Senate Courts of Justice Committee on Wednesday.
The Henrico County Republican's House Bill 144 would permit law enforcement officials to share with Virginia's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board information about establishments that served a "last alcoholic beverage" to motorists stopped for intoxicated driving.
-- The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Manassas senator says another term unlikely
Longtime state Sen. Chuck Colgan, D-Manassas, this week told several of his colleagues he has all but decided not to run for office in 2011.
"I doubt I'll seek re-election," Colgan, 83, said Wednesday.
He is the Senate's senior member, having served in the chamber since 1976. Only Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, who has been in the House of Delegates since 1962, has more overall seniority among current General Assembly members.
Colgan's reason for leaving is a prostate cancer diagnosis he received roughly two years ago.
-- The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Free fishing licenses for some soldiers advances
Disabled, active-duty soldiers receiving medical treatment from a military hospital would be eligible for free fishing licenses under a bill that passed the Senate on Wednesday
Having previously passed the House of Delegates, it now heads to Gov. Bob McDonnell for consideration.
-- The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Panel tables legislation over online sales tax
A House of Delegates subcommittee voted Wednesday to shelve legislation that would require large online retailers to pay Virginia's sales tax, despite concerns from small retailers that the state's existing tax loophole puts them at a disadvantage.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County, said he will continue working on the legislation to address objections raised by lawmakers and other opponents of Senate Bill 660. Sensing that his bill was about to go down to defeat, Hanger asked a House Finance subcommittee to table the measure.
-- Michael Sluss, The Roanoke Times
McDonnell tries to build support for schools bill
Gov. Bob McDonnell, his education secretary and staff members spread out through the Capitol on Wednesday, meeting with individual legislators to shore up support for the administration's signature education package promoting charter schools.
McDonnell's bills for charter, lab and virtual schools will face a major test today in the Senate Education Committee.
The bills have come under harsh criticism from the Legislative Black Caucus, which issued a strongly worded rebuke of the initially proposed charter school legislation, comparing it to the state's segregation policies.
"The caucus statement is both disappointing and perplexing," McDonnell said. "It demonstrates a reflexive adherence to the status quo at a time when a growing and robust national bipartisan movement led by President Obama is working to provide more opportunities for public school students and parents in every community."
-- The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
