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Senate approves bills on two-term governor, ex-felon voting rights
RICHMOND Virginia’s Senate has blessed a measure that would let Virginia have a two-term governor and end its distinction as the only state which prohibits governors from re-election to consecutive terms.
Senate OKs two-term governor, ex-felon voting rights
RICHMOND The state Senate has blessed a measure that would end Virginia's distinction as the only state that prohibits governors from election to consecutive terms. Also Monday, the General Assembly’s upper chamber approved a proposed constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to non-violent felons, a change supported by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Virginia Senate rejects right-to-work in constitution
RICHMOND On a party line vote, the Virginia Senate has killed a measure that would write the state's longstanding right-to-work law into its constitution. Republican Sen. Dick Black's resolution won the support of all 20 Republicans, but the opposition of the Senate's 20 Democrats. A majority of 21 votes was the minimum required for passage.
Casinos won’t be coming to Hampton Roads in 2013
RICHMOND Casinos won't be coming to Hampton Roads to take the place of tolls, at least not this year.
Virginia Senate panel advances parental rights bill
RICHMOND Legislation declaring that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children is headed to the Virginia Senate floor. The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 8-6 Monday to endorse the bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bryce Reeves of Spotsylvania County.
Bill to ease pre-abortion ultrasound requirement stalls
RICHMOND Tension between Senate Democrats and Republicans flared again Monday when legislation to weaken an abortion-related law was killed in committee without debate, leading its patron to angrily call the proceedings a "kangaroo court."
Senate approves bill to ease presidential ballot access
RICHMOND Qualifying for the presidential ballot in Virginia would get easier under a bill that passed the state Senate Monday. Under Sen. Dick Black’s SB 690, the number of valid Virginia voter signatures presidential candidates must submit to qualify for primary or general election ballots would drop to 5,000 signatures with 200 each from of the state’s 11 congressional districts.
Senate approves bill on presidential ballot access
RICHMOND Qualifying for the presidential ballot in Virginia would get easier under a bill that passed the state Senate Monday. Under Sen. Dick Black’s SB 690, the number of valid Virginia voter signatures presidential candidates must submit to qualify for primary or general election ballots would drop to 5,000 signatures with 200 each from of the state’s 11 congressional districts.
Virginia Senate OKs bill for soccer goal safety
RICHMOND A bill that aims to prevent death or injury from falling soccer goals has cleared the Senate and is now being considered by the House. The Senate approved SB933, the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, last week on a vote of 33-6.
Bill would define, ban bullying in Virginia schools
RICHMOND An effort to define bullying and ensure it is outlawed in public schools is on its way to the House floor for a vote. Virginia already requires schools to prohibit bullying in their codes of student conduct and to educate students about bullying behavior. State code does not, however, provide a definition.
School mental health bills advance in Virginia House
RICHMOND Two bills aimed at improving mental health treatment for students are advancing in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Bill advances to penalize people who smoke with kids in car
RICHMOND Lighting up with a child in your car would lighten your wallet under legislation moving through the General Assembly this winter. Punishing with a $100 fine motorists who smoke tobacco while a youth under age 15 is in the vehicle is the latest anti-smoking bill from Sen. Ralph Northam, a Norfolk physician.
