Virginia's legislature passed an amendment prohibiting some insurance companies from providing abortion coverage.
This week, Virginia’s legislature approved a measure by Gov. Bob McDonnell that prohibits certain health insurance companies from providing coverage for women seeking an abortion. The exceptions to the insurance coverage rule are in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. While the new Virginia legislation isn’t as restrictive of abortions as recent legislation passed in North Dakota and Alabama, critics are concerned about the financial effect the legislation may have on a woman’s decision. Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) said, “Women should be able to make decisions about their own health care without interference from politicians here in the state Capitol.” The Virginia Society for Human Life, an anti-abortion group, …
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House subcommittee rejects Senate amendment to allow Virginia governors to serve two consecutive terms.
By Shelby Mertens, Capital News Service Virginia will remain a state where the governor can only serve one term. A House of Delegates subcommittee has rejected the Senate's proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed two consecutive terms for a governor beginning in 2017. Sen. Thomas Garrett, R-Lynchburg, introduced Senate Joint Resolution 276. The amendment passed in the Senate on Jan. 28 with a 25-15 bipartisan vote: 16 Democrats and nine Republicans voted for it, while 11 Republicans and four Democrats opposed it. When the Senate resolution “crossed over” to the House this wek, however, it ran into trouble. The proposed amendment was assigned to the House Committee on Privileges and Elections. This week, that panel’s …
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Ken Plum will hold "Conversations with Delegate Plum" events in Reston and Herndon.
Want to know what is going on at the onging General Assembly session in Richmond? Have an issue you would like to discuss with your 36th District delegate? Ken Plum will be holding two events on Saturday for constituents to share with him their thoughts and concerns. McNair Elementary School in Herndon 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jo Ann Rose Gallery in the Reston Community Centerat Lake Anne 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Can't make it Saturday? You can always reach Plum at kenplum@aol.com. Stay in step with local issues. Subscribe to Reston Patch's free daily newsletter.
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Virginia state legislature receiving national attention for reproductive issues.
"The intention of the Virginia legislature is not merely to return us to the pre-Roe v Wade era, they want to take us back to the 10th century."
HB1, approved by the Virginia House, mandates that fertilized human eggs are persons with all rights under the Virginia constitution. When presented with an amendment by Delegate Vivian Watts declaring that nothing in HB1 would be construed to affect legal contraception, the members of the Virginia house voted not to consider her amendment by a vote of 64-34. To me, this vote by House legislators is a clear indication that the Republicans in Virginia intend to ban birth control, IUDs and emergency contraception. Do not be persuaded by statements to the contrary by those Republicans currently running for office. Once a fertilized egg is a person, anything that inhibits it from implanting will be illegal in Virginia and that includes …
11:08 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Signed. Virginia - really!? (See Saturday Night Live clip.) more ›
Homeschooled athletes may be closer to being allowed to play on school teams.
Homeschooled athletes got a step closer to being able to play on Virginia high school teams as the Virginia House of Delegates voted 59-39 Wednesday in favor of "the Tebow bill." The “Tebow bill” — named for Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback who was home-schooled as a teen but was allowed to play football at his local high school — will now be sent to the Virginia Senate. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), has said he will sign the bill. Opponents, including some school boards and PTAs, say home-schooled kids are not required to meet the same academic criteria as public school athletes — attend and pass five classes per day — and that they would take team slots from their public school counterparts. The legislation has been …
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10:46 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Too bad that the "opportunistic" rather than value-based approach is being supported by the coach. more ›
Proposal would allow home-schooled students to participate in public schools' sports programs.
Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) talks about legislation regarding voting rights, reproductive choice and gun purchases in this week's video from Richmond.
6:35 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
I totally agree! We live in 2 different states. It unfortunate that legislators from other parts of the state are passing laws that don't jive with the interests voters in Northern VA. more ›
Delegates vote to let individual districts decide start date.
Jackieh
11:51 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sure we are...maybe vasectomies too. These are the old white men making rules for the women of Virginia. We ladies have to rebel and make sure we throw them out of office. And make sure Ken Cooch doesn't get elected. He makes Trans Vaginal Probe Bob look like a flaming liberal. more ›