Recent Mentions on Blogs

luxuriouschoices.blogspot.com: Virginia?s Budget Woes: Explanation or Excuse?

April 28, 2008
By Pauline Wagner, SALT Be patient, keep up your efforts, and wait for the economy to improve. That was the message from northern Virginia legislators to social justice advocates gathered at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington on April 19. The annual Richmond Legislative Wrap-Up session?cosponsored by Social Action Linking Together (SALT), Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH), Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE), and Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizat...

Raising Kaine The Voice of Progressive Virginia : What Would We Do Without Tom Whipple?

April 4, 2008
What would a lot of us do without Tom Whipple and his amazing, 7-days-a-week "Whipple Clips" roundup of all the latest political news from Virginia? I don't know, but I just wanted to thank Tom -- and his substitute Whipple Clipper, Del. Bob Brink -- for doing this great job early every morning, 365 days a year. Do you guys ever rest? Thanks, and keep up the great work! For those of you not familiar with what these guys do, here are today's "Whipple Clips" headlines. Imagine doing this ever...

Raising Kaine The Voice of Progressive Virginia : Betraying common sense, House narrowly defeats SB 441

March 3, 2008
In a move designed to further fan the flames over issues of immigration at the state and local levels, on Wednesday the House Republicans in Virginia voted down a very common sense bill 52-46, SB441. The bill, patroned by Senator Janet Howell and defacto by Senator Patsy Ticer and Delegate Vivian Watts (by merging SB 639 into this bill), had sailed through the Senate 39-0. The bill would prohibit the inquisition of crime victims or witnesses regarding their immigration status. The truly madde...

baconsrebellion.blogspot.com: Has the Time for Bus Rapid Transit Finally Come?

January 28, 2008
In a welcome show of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans have come together to patron HJ 98, which would authorize a joint subcommittee to study the establishment of Bus Rapid Transit corridors in Northern Virginia. While the chief patron is Del. Vivian Watts, D-Annandale, other patrons include conservative Republicans such as Delegates Bob Marshall, R-Manassas and Tim Hugo, R-Centerville, and Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax. States the resolution: In conducting its study, the joint subcom...

Raising Kaine The Voice of Progressive Virginia : Democratic House Leadership Team for 2008-2009

December 8, 2007
Looks like a great team...talented and diverse. Nice work, and congratulations! Today, House Democrats met in Charlottesville to select their leadership team for the 2008-2009 General Assembly sessions. The caucus leadership team includes: House Minority Leader: Delegate Ward Armstrong of Henry County House Caucus Chairman: Delegate Brian Moran of Alexandria House Caucus Vice-Chairman: Delegate Lionel Spruill of Chesapeake House Caucus Secretary: Delegate Mark Sickles of Fairfax County Ho...

Recent Mentions in the Media

Fairfaxtimes.com: Memorial honors fallen Virginia Tech student

May 16, 2008
 - Along with Read family members, including father Peter Read, the event was attended by Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D), Del. Vivian Watts ...

Burke Connection: In Mary Read's Memory

May 15, 2008
Peter Read is consoled by Del. Vivian Watts (D-39) after reading a memorial resolution by the General Assembly during a ceremony unveiling the Mary Karen ...

• HB275
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: Left in Rules
  
  : Motor fuels tax; rate increase.
• HB276
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: Left in Appropriations
  
  : Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); noncash benefits.
• HB277
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0468)
  
  : Traffic control measures; allows installation and application on secondary system components.
• HB278
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0433)
  
  : Decedent; identification of body by next of kin.
• HB279
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: Impact statement from SCC (HB279)
  
  : Small Estate Act; updates certain banking and fiduciary statutes to make them consistent with Act.
• HB280
  Introduced: January 02, 2008
  Status: Continued to 2009 in Courts of Justice
  
  : Decedent's will; unsupervised probate.
• HB465
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Continued to 2009 in Finance
  
  : Real estate tax; exemptions for certain elderly and disabled persons with income limits.
• HB466
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0583)
  
  : Zoning ordinance; administrator or locality may record a memorandum of lis pendens to enforce.
• HB467
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (HB1476-Rust)
  
  : Voting equipment; authorizes wireless communications after polls are closed to transmit results.
• HB468
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Incorporated by Transportation (HB2-Tata)
  
  : Special license plates for immediate family members of persons who have died in military service.
• HB469
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0502)
  
  : Motor vehicle license fees; prohibits dealers from collecting in certain localities.
• HB470
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0503)
  
  : Loitering; prohibited in right-of-way of certain highways with posted signs.
• HB471
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Passed by indefinitely in Transportation
  
  : Highway construction, primary system; funds allocation.
• HB472
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Left in Rules
  
  : Income tax, state, and personal property tax; local piggyback imposition.
• HB473
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Continued to 2009 in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; subtraction for National Guard or Reserve personnel pay.
• HB573
  Introduced: January 08, 2008
  Status: Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (11-Y 3-N)
  
  : Visitation, supervised;restrictions and conditions necessary to minimize any risk of harm to child.
• HB574
  Introduced: January 08, 2008
  Status: Left in Appropriations
  
  : Child sexual offenses; creates number of new crimes labeled indecent liberties with children.
• HB575
  Introduced: January 08, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0294)
  
  : Consumer Protection Act; prohibited acts by a contractor.
• HB576
  Introduced: January 08, 2008
  Status: G Approved by Governor-Chapter 782 (effective 7/1/08)
  
  : Mental health records; health provider shall disclose information to provide care, etc. of minor.
• HB1043
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0512)
  
  : Polygraph; no sexual offense victim shall be requested to submit for investigation to proceed.
• HB1044
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0592)
  
  : Sex Offenders and Crimes Against Minors Registry; registration requirements.
• HB1045
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Privileges and Elections
  
  : Real estate tax; exemptions and deferrals for certain residential or farm property.
• HB1046
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Appropriations
  
  : Nursing homes; Board of Health to establish staffing levels.
• HB1047
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Rules
  
  : Illegal immigrants; document verification for employment.
• HB1048
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Education
  
  : Education; computation of composite index.
• HB1049
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Continued to 2009 in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; deduction for licensed medical caregivers.
• HB1050
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; in-home health care tax credit.
• HB1051
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Incorporated by Courts of Justice (HB501-Hamilton)
  
  : Medical malpractice; definition of professional services.
• HB1201
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Motor Vehicle Dealer Board; executive director and staff employees of DMV.
• HB1202
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Towing and Recovery Operators, Board for; executive director and staff to be employees of DMV.
• HJ87
  Introduced: January 07, 2008
  Status: Stricken from docket by Rules
  
  : Real estate tax; joint subcommittee to study treatment of income & asset qualifications for relief.
• HJ98
  Introduced: January 08, 2008
  Status: Left in Rules
  
  : Bus rapid transit corridors; joint subcommittee to study establishment thereof in Northern VA.
• HJ153
  Introduced: January 09, 2008
  Status: Left in Rules
  
  : Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995; study competitive bidding on projects thereunder.
• HJ473
  Introduced: February 25, 2008
  Status: Agreed to by Senate
  
  : Celebrating the life of Mary Karen Read.

• HB1067
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Continued to 2007 in Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
  
  : Illegal immigrants; document verification for employment, penalty.
• HB2278
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from DPB (HB2278)
  
  : Standards of Quality; computation of composite index.
• HB2279
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Fiscal impact review from JLARC (HB2279H1)
  
  : Sexual offenses; creates number of new crimes labeled indecent liberties against child, etc.
• HB2280
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Highway construction funds; allocations for primary highways.
• HB2281
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Highway maintenance allocations; funds for primary, secondary, and urban systems.
• HB2282
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Assigned Education sub: Higher Education (Rust)
  
  : Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program; surviviors/dependents be admitted free.
• HB2283
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from TAX (HB2283)
  
  : Real estate tax; deferral of tax for certain elderly and disabled.
• HB2284
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0753)
  
  : Income tax, corporate; filing of withholding tax returns.
• HB2285
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Assigned Transportation sub: #1 (Welch)
  
  : License plates, special; issuance of those bearing legend: DRIVING AMERICA'S FUTURE.
• HB2286
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Assigned Transportation sub: #2 (Saxman)
  
  : Loitering; prohibited in the rights-of-way of certain highways.
• HB2287
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0281)
  
  : Absentee voting; alternative procedures to expedite counting.
• HB2288
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : VDOT et al; no regulation can require seperate as-built permits for utility located in certain area.
• HB2289
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Assigned Courts sub: Criminal Law
  
  : Driver's license; notice of revocation.
• HB2290
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0474)
  
  : Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Program; Director of DMAS to establish program thereof.
• HB2605
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (6-Y 8-N)
  
  : Illegal immigrants; document verification for employment of, penalty.
• HB2606
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from DPB (HB2606)
  
  : Motor fuels tax; rate increase.
• HB2607
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Tabled in Health, Welfare and Institutions
  
  : Nursing homes; requires Board of Health to establish staffing standards therein.
• HB2608
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from TAX (HB2608)
  
  : Income tax, state; deduction for licensed medical caregivers.
• HB2609
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from TAX (HB2609)
  
  : Income tax, state; in-home health care tax credit.
• HB2610
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Vehicle registration; increases fees for those not designed to transport passengers for farming.
• HB2611
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from TAX (HB2611)
  
  : Income and personal property taxes; localities to impose.
• HB2612
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
  
  : TANF; eligibility for benefits if convicted of drug-related felonies.
• HB2613
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from DPB (HB2613)
  
  : Standards of Quality; reduces current pupil-teacher ratio in kindergarten.
• HB2636
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Impact statement from DPB (HB2636)
  
  : Geriatric mental health care services; DMHMRSAS to develop pilot program therefor.
• HJ68
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Continued to 2007 in Privileges and Elections
  
  : Constitutional amendment; exempts certain property from taxation (first reference).
• HJ648
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Referred to Committee on Rules
  
  : Absentee ballots; joint subcommittee to study processing thereof before election day.
• HJ649
  Introduced: January 09, 2007
  Status: Referred to Committee on Rules
  
  : Electronic personal health records; Joint Commission on Health Care to study increased use thereof.
• HJ716
  Introduced: January 10, 2007
  Status: Left in Privileges and Elections
  
  : Constitutional amendment; homestead exemption from property taxation (first reference).
• HJ940
  Introduced: February 16, 2007
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ940ER)
  
  : Commending Annandale Christian Community for Action on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
• HJ941
  Introduced: February 16, 2007
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ941ER)
  
  : Commending Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on the occasion of its 140th anniversary

• HB578
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Income tax and personal property tax; allows localities to impose.
• HB579
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; deduction for individuals of incarcerated family members.
• HB580
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Transportation
  
  : Highway system construction funds; allocation among districts.
• HB581
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Motor fuel tax; rate increase.
• HB582
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Education
  
  : Standards of Quality; changes current pupil-teacher ratio in grades K-3.
• HB583
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Appropriations
  
  : Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; person not ineligible due to drug possession conviction.
• HB584
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Education
  
  : Education; Computation of composite index.
• HB585
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Courts of Justice
  
  : Sex offenses; indecent liberties against child under age 13, considered Class 4 felony.
• HB586
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Failed to report (defeated) in Health, Welfare and Institutions
  
  : Hospitals, nursing homes, etc.; guidelines for staffing.
• HB587
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Tabled in Privileges and Elections
  
  : Absentee voting & ballot applications; persons 65 or older & any disabled person may vote absentee.
• HB588
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0844)
  
  : Machete; illegal to brandish machete in threatening manner, penalty.
• HB589
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0542)
  
  : Blue Star Memorial Highway; designating as portion of Old Keene Mill Road in Fairfax County.
• HB590
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Left in Courts of Justice
  
  : Machete; illegal to brandish in manner as to induce fear, penalty.
• HB1061
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Stricken from docket by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
  
  : Bear parts; sale thereof allowed when legally hunted.
• HB1062
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Left in Appropriations
  
  : Geriatric mental health services, specialized; DMHMRSAS to develop pilot program.
• HB1063
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Passed by indefinitely in Transportation
  
  : Driver's licenses, special identification cards, etc.; use of adoption decrees for applications.
• HB1064
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Incorporated by General Laws (HB311-Cox)
  
  : Health insurance; state to offer a supplemental health coverage program.
• HB1065
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0789)
  
  : Campaign finance disclosure; revises & increases civil penalties of filing incomplete reports.
• HB1066
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0868)
  
  : Sex offenders; prohibits those convicted of offense against minor from residing with unless related.
• HB1067
  Introduced: January 11, 2006
  Status: Continued to 2007 in Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
  
  : Illegal immigrants; document verification for employment, penalty.
• HB1445
  Introduced: January 18, 2006
  Status: Left in Courts of Justice
  
  : Parent; amends incest statute to include step-parents, etc.
• HB1446
  Introduced: January 18, 2006
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; deduction for licensed medical caregivers.
• HB1447
  Introduced: January 18, 2006
  Status: Left in Militia, Police and Public Safety
  
  : Dealers in firearms; expands definition of firearms show.
• HB1448
  Introduced: January 18, 2006
  Status: G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0153)
  
  : Alcoholic beverages; wine and beer licenses and certain restaurant licenses.
• HB1449
  Introduced: January 18, 2006
  Status: Left in Finance
  
  : Income tax, state; in-home health care tax credit.
• HJ68
  Introduced: January 10, 2006
  Status: Continued to 2007 in Privileges and Elections
  
  : Constitutional amendment; exempts certain property from taxation (first reference).
• HJ236
  Introduced: January 26, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ236ER)
  
  : Commending Judge Jane Pritchard Becker Delbridge
• HJ257
  Introduced: February 02, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ257ER)
  
  : Celebrating the life of Rebecca Jeffers Guthrie.
• HJ449
  Introduced: March 03, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ449ER)
  
  : Commending Crestwood Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
• HJ495
  Introduced: March 06, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ495ER)
  
  : Commending Wakefield Forest Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
• HJ506
  Introduced: March 06, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ506ER)
  
  : Commending North Springfield Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
• HJ5107
  Introduced: June 20, 2006
  Status: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ5107ER)
  
  : Celebrating the life of Helen Lynch.