Virginia Politics Blog Archive: General Assembly 2008
Va. legislators accepted more than $250,000 in gifts last year
Lobbyists, companies and trade associations last year gave Virginia legislators trips, meals and tickets to University of Virginia and Redskins football games, NASCAR races and Wolf Trap concerts, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a non-partisan tracker of money in politics. In all, the 140 members of the General Assembly accepted hundreds of gifts worth about $250,000 in 2009, according to data released this morning. Many of the gifts were offered during last year's 45-day legislative session, when donors often lobby lawmakers after treating them to dinners, receptions and goody bags. Overall, the value of the gifts was down 25 percent compared to 2008. That's because many of the legislators were new and because of the sharp downturn in the economy....
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Anita Kumar
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February 10, 2010; 12:00 PM ET |
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Kaine Appoints Melvin To Bench
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) appointed retiring delegate Kenneth R. Melvin (D-Portsmouth) to fill a vacancy on the Portsmouth Circuit Court. "With this appointment, Ken will have another opportunity to build upon his record of dedicated service to the Commonwealth," Kaine said. "I have known and admired Ken for the keen analytical abilities and reasoned judgment he brought to legislative debates. I look forward to his continued service." Melvin, one of the longest-serving members of the House Courts of Justice Committee, is credited with defending civil rights and supporting the disadvantaged. He was elected in 1985 to represent parts of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Norfolk....
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Anita Kumar
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April 8, 2009; 6:12 AM ET |
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Speaker Named Leader of Legislative Group
House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) has been named the national chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council for 2009. The group represents a network of 2,000 state legislators "committed to the fundamental Jeffersonian principles of limited government, free enterprise, federalism and individual liberty,'' according to a press release. "Exploring and learning from what other states are doing and recognizing the need to change, adapt, innovate and improve lie at the very heart of what ALEC is all about,'' Howell said. "It's what has made ALEC such a powerful force against the status quo and for a more free and prosperous future." Howell, first elected a delegate in 1987, has led the 100-member chamber since 2003....
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Anita Kumar
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December 10, 2008; 10:02 AM ET |
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Kaine Sets Special Election
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has set Jan. 6 as the date for voters to go to the polls to elect a replacement for Del. Terrie Lynne Suit (R-Virginia Beach) who resigned to become a lobbyist. "It is important that we have a delegate in place when the session begins on January 14th," Kaine said. "Holding the special election on January 6th will allow the new delegate to participate in the legislative session and to represent the interests of citizens of the district." State law prohibits special elections 30 days after a general election. The last date to file to run for the seat is Dec. 8. The 81st House District includes parts of the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake . Suit resigned to run Williams Mullen's Hampton Roads lobbying operation. Her last day was Oct. 12. Her 1999 election led to Virginia's first-ever Republican majority in the House....
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Anita Kumar
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October 22, 2008; 10:44 AM ET |
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Business Group Rates Legislators
In its annual review of the General Assembly, the business coalition Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education penalized each legislator for failing to pass a transportation plan during this summer's failed special session. Virginia FREE's 24-page report opens with a statement on the partisan bickering that left the General Assembly unable to pass a plan to provide money for roads and transit. "We have not only a shortage of transportation dollars, but also a shortage of courage and leadership needed to elevate good governance above short-term partisan gain," it says. The group rates legislators using their voting records on key bills and business lobbyist evaluations. Republicans scored on an average rating of 59; Democrats scored an average rating of 46. Delegates scored an average rating of 53; senators scored an average rating of 52....
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Anita Kumar
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September 11, 2008; 11:11 AM ET |
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Democrats Register Voters At Gas Stations Today
The Virginia Campaign for Change, an offshoot of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign funded by the Democratic National Committee, will register voters at gas stations across the state today. State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris will participate in the events, which will take place in Arlington, Charlottesville and Richmond. "Motorists who are fed up with sky-high oil company profits made on the backs of consumers paying higher prices at the pump will have the opportunity to register to vote -- and help Barack Obama put in place a new energy policy that will give relief to middle class families and break our addiction to foreign oil,'' according to a press release. Obama has talked about providing families with a $1,000 middle-class tax cut and spending $150 billion in renewable and other clean sources of energy. Details of the events are below:...
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Anita Kumar
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August 4, 2008; 8:54 AM ET |
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