Claire Coleman: Family planning – an essential part of American life

AFP

If you’re an average woman, you want two children, according to various surveys. That means you’ll spend about five years of your life trying to become pregnant, being pregnant or recovering from pregnancy, and 30 years trying to avoid it. You can do that thanks to the June 1965 landmark Supreme Court decision Griswold v….

The AFP on WREL: Drawing the line(s)

Chris Graham

AFP editor Chris Graham talks Virginia news with WREL-1450AM’s “Online with Jim Bresnahan.” The segment begins with a review of the surprise news from late Thursday that has Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Virginia General Assembly apparently in agreement on legislative redistricting for 2011. Chris breaks down the deal in the Senate that got all…

Payday-loan decision involved Valley case

AFP

The Virginia Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision issued on April 21, ruled that the widespread practice of payday lenders in Virginia of having a borrower repay a loan and immediately take out a new loan for the same amount, commonplace prior to 2009 statutory amendments, violated Virginia law prohibiting payday lenders from refinancing, renewing,…

Groups say UVa. must balance transparency and academic freedom in considering request for professor’s records

AFP

Twelve organizations concerned with free speech and the integrity of scientific inquiry on college campuses today asked the University of Virginia to protect academic freedom when it answers a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the American Tradition Institute Environmental Law Center and Robert Marshall, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. The…

Ken Plum: New legislative districts

Ken Plum

By the time you read this column, you will have had an opportunity to see the proposed district boundaries for the House of Delegates, State Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. I write this column amidst much concern, angst, and fear among incumbents and potential candidates as rumors have been circulating about what the districts…

Politics from McDonnell on anniversary of health-care bill

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell played some politics with a statement released on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the health-care reform legislation. “Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of President Barack Obama’s signing of the hastily passed 2,700 page federal healthcare bill that creates an unprecedented intrusion on America’s strong free enterprise…

Katherine A. Greenier: Legislators take risks with women’s health and reproductive rights

AFP

Legislative maneuverings are nothing new, but the Virginia General Assembly, with some last-minute shenanigans, may have just maneuvered itself into reproductive rights morass with very real legal implications. Last week, the House of Delegates passed SB 924, a bill that requires the Board of Health to issue regulations related to infection prevention and disaster preparedness…

Frank Knapp Jr.: A warning for U.S. democracy

AFP

Make no mistake about it – the peaceful Egyptian revolution was brought about by the workers and small business owners of that country protesting together. They want economic opportunity for all and a democratically elected government that puts its peoples’ interests above the interests of the financially powerful, well-connected oligarchy. There is a lesson here…

Senate subcommittee kills school-prayer amendment

Chris Graham

A subcommittee of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted today against approval of a resolution to amend the Virginia Constitution in a manner that could encourage unconstitutional prayers in public schools. The vote was 4-3. The bill, HJ 593, had previously passed the House by a vote of 66-33-1. “We are pleased that the…