Tuesday, March 09, 2010
General Assembly notebook: New fees to battle Internet crime
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 -- The House of Delegates passed legislation Monday that adds a $10 fee to misdemeanor and felony convictions, with proceeds going to law enforcement efforts to combat Internet crimes targeting children.
The fee will generate $1.8 million annually to provide funding for two regional task forces, including one based in Bedford County, and grants for local law enforcement agencies to train officers in investigating Internet crimes against children. The Senate already has passed the legislation (Senate Bill 620). Advocates for funding so-called "Alicia's Law" enforcement made an aggressive push for a permanent revenue source after relying on sporadic funding from the General Assembly in previous year. Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, sponsored the legislation and Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, played a key role in pushing for the funding.
-- Michael Sluss, The Roanoke Times
Online and laboratory school bills advance
A package of education reform measures backed by Gov. Bob McDonnell is gliding toward passage in the House of Delegates, despite strong opposition from the legislative black caucus.
Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, delivered an impassioned objection on the House floor Monday during debate on one of the measures, which would establish "laboratory schools" operated by state universities in partnership with local public school systems.
"Why not just shut down the public schools?" Spruill asked sarcastically. "We've got three new kinds of schools now: charter schools, virtual schools and laboratory schools."
Legislation to facilitate the creation of charter schools and virtual school programs has already passed the House. The laboratory school bill, HB1389, sponsored by Del. Christopher Peace, R-Hanover County, gained preliminary approval Monday.
McDonnell, a Republican, and his legislative allies have argued that the programs will foster innovation.
Black caucus members have warned that such measures, together with pending budget cuts, threaten the viability of Virginia's public schools -- particularly those serving large numbers of at-risk students.
Under Peace's bill, students would be chosen by lottery to get into laboratory schools.
"What about the kids who are not picked in the lottery? Do you care about them?" Spruill asked. "Gov. McDonnell is selling our kids out. He does not care about kids who are at risk."
-- Bill Sizemore, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Bill on student-athlete concussions clears
A House education committee passed legislation Monday that would require student athletes who suffered a concussion to be benched until they received medical clearance.
Senate Bill 652, sponsored by Norfolk Democrat Sen. Ralph Northam, a pediatric neurologist, received unanimous support.
Under the bill, if an athlete's coach, athletic trainer or team physician determines that he had a concussion, the student must be immediately removed from the game.
The bill still needs the support of the full House.
-- Deirdre Fernandes, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Candidates interview for NRV judgeship
Two New River Valley judicial candidates appeared for interviews Monday with a General Assembly committee, even though the circuit court vacancy they are seeking may not get state funding.
Gino Williams and Marc Long are seeking a circuit court seat vacated by the retirement of Ray Grubbs, who presided in Montgomery and Floyd counties. Williams is a general district court judge who sits in Montgomery and Giles counties. Long is a juvenile and domestic relations judge who presides in Montgomery County.
The General Assembly is scheduled to elect judges Wednesday, but a House budget plan freezes 19 judicial vacancies, including the one created by Grubbs' retirement.
"We don't know what our [budget] conferees are going to do," said House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, explaining why the interviews went forward Monday.
Lawmakers could hold judicial elections at any point before the legislative session ends Saturday. Griffith said the elections likely would occur after budget negotiators have an agreement on funding judicial vacancies.
If Long gets the circuit court post, he could be replaced on the juvenile and domestic relations bench by Harriet Dorsey of Blacksburg, who also interviewed with the committee Monday. Dorsey has served as an interim juvenile and domestic relations judge in the same circuit since May. Her term expired last month, but she continues to serve as a substitute judge.
That position is one of the vacancies frozen in the House budget.
Although budget battles will affect appointments to local courts, lawmakers appear set on an appointment to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Former state Attorney General Bill Mims was the only candidate interviewed Monday for the Supreme Court seat being vacated by Justice Barbara Milano Keenan, who was confirmed last week for a seat on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
-- Michael Sluss
Death penalty bills pass Senate panel
A key Senate committee has passed bills allowing the death penalty for those who kill fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 9-6 on both bills Monday.
The committee is often seen as the last roadblock to death penalty expansion bills. The bills, which already have passed the House, head to the full Senate for a vote this week.
Supporters argue both groups are uniformed officers who represent the commonwealth, often putting their lives at risk. Opponents argue Virginia should not continue expanding the list of crimes that can qualify for the death penalty.
Virginia executes more prisoners than any state other than Texas
-- Associated Press
