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…

ACLU raises issue with prayer resolution

AFP

The House of Delegates on Tuesday passed a resolution to amend the Virginia Constitution in a manner that could encourage unconstitutional prayers in public schools. The vote was 66-33 to send HJ 593 to the Senate. Although the resolution does not contain plainly unconstitutional language, patron Del. Charles W. Carrico has made it clear he…

Richmond Police drop case to force return of documents released under FOIA

AFP

The ACLU of Virginia has learned that lawyers for the Richmond Police Department do not plan to continue their efforts to force Mo Karn, a member of a local anarchist group, to return police manuals and other documents she received pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request she made last September. Karn requested the…

David Reynolds: It’s next year!

David Reynolds

Contrary to last year’s press clippings, fist fights did not break out at this year’s Lexington-Rockbridge-Buena Vista “State of the Community” breakfast. Instead it was the usual sea of harmony sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, aka the local Pollyanna Society. The breakfast proved once again that there is a media bias. Representatives from our…

ACLU involves itself in Richmond FOIA case

Chris Graham

The ACLU of Virginia has agreed to represent Mo Karn, a member of a local anarchist group, who received notice earlier this week that Richmond City Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood is seeking a court order to compel the return of documents she obtained through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and to prohibit her…

Judge: Purchase mandate in health-care reform is unconstitutional

Chris Graham

The mandate to taxpayers to purchase health insurance that is a key provision in the health-care reform signed into law in March is unconstitutional, a federal judge in Virginia ruled Monday. “On careful review, this Court must conclude that Section 1501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – specifically the Minimum Essential Coverage…

Ken Plum: Unraveling the mysteries of redistricting

Ken Plum

In the very near future Virginia will receive its official population numbers from the 2010 census. Our numbers are among the first to be issued because our off-year elections require us to redraw our legislative district lines in time for the 2011 fall elections. Follow the progress of the census results being made available at…