Ken Plum: A breach of trust

Ken Plum

In a Tom DeLay, Texas-style move, Republicans in the Virginia State Senate redrew the legislative district lines without public notice or involvement. This action in the 20-20 divided body came on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday when Democratic Senator Henry Marsh, who is one of Virginia’s most prominent civil rights leaders, was away attending President Obama’s inauguration.

robert hurt

Robert Hurt: The Balanced Budget Amendment

Robert Hurt

This past week during our first district work week of the 113th Congress, we had the opportunity to visit Danville and Blairs, and to make our first official visits in Warrenton. Many miles may separate Danville and Warrenton, but it is clear that those all across our district share a common concern with our nation’s unsustainable debt.

House subcommittee defeats voting-rights restoration bills

Chris Graham

House Republicans have defeated a package of bills that would have established a streamlined process for restoring the voting rights of nonviolent felons. A package of bills that had the support of General Assembly Democrats and Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee Monday morning.

Creigh Deeds: Session update

Creigh Deeds

The 2013 Session of the General Assembly began on an unseasonably mild January 9. This is the short session, meaning that the legislature will be in session only 46 days. Adjournment is scheduled for the 23rd of February. We are charged with adopting amendments to the 2012 – 2014 budget and dealing with over 2000 bills. Needless to say, it will be a busy session. It has been my experience that delegates and senators try to do as much work in a short session as in the longer 60-day session.