Sunday, March 31, 2013
Republicans say a requirement for picture ID protects "sanctity" of the vote; Democrats argue the GOP is keeping certain voters away from the polls on purpose.
Virginia voters will need a photo ID when they're heading to the polls beginning in 2014 under new requirements signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell this week. Supporters argue that a voter registration card with no picture creates an opening for fraudulent voting. McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell said in a statement to The Washington Post that the new law is about protecting "the sanctity of our democratic process.” Democratic leaders have challenged voter ID laws as a type of voter suppression. They note those without a photo ID are likely found among Democratic voters, particularly seniors and college students. The new law will need approval by the U.S. Justice Department, a requirement for any voting changes in most Southern states …
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Petersen: Republican effort to end winner-take-all system in Virginia is 'anti-Democratic.'
A Republican-led effort to end the Old Dominion's traditional winner-take-all approach to picking a president has drawn national attention and could weaken the influence of voters in urban areas like Northern Virginia. The bill, authored by state Sen. Charles Carrico, a Galax, Va., Republican, would divvy up electoral collage votes based on who wins each of this state's 11 congressional districts. Carrico has said that the current system casts aside the wishes of rural voters and that his bill is an attempt to even the playing field, according to the Roanoke Times. More broadly, proponents in the GOP say the new system would better reflect the popular vote. The bill heads to the full Senate Privileges and Elections Committee next week. Gov…
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Virginia senators say GOP redistricting plan is unconstitutional; Republican legislators say proposal helps the state better comply with the Voting Rights Act.
- ELECTIONS
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Wednesday, January 23
By Mark Robinson, Capital News Service Virginia Democrats continued to call a Republican-backed plan to redistrict the state's senate seats unconstitutional on Wednesday -- but GOP leaders say the measure could actually help the Commonwealth better comply with the federal Voting Rights Act. After Republicans narrowly passed a bill Monday that included an amendment to redraw the lines of several state senate districts, the result of which in many cases was more seats with GOP-leaning voters, Democrats took to the Senate floor Tuesday to blast the measure, calling it unconstitutional. In remarks on the Senate floor on Monday, the bill's sponsor, Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, said the move would create a sixth majority-African American …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Warner says he wants to continue his work in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., announced Tuesday that he will not run for governor in 2013, saying he wants to continue the work he was sent to do in Washington. Warner, in a statement issued shortly after 3 p.m., said Virginians of all political stripes have approached him over the past year to make the bid — which he said he would consider and then make a decision after the November election. "I’ve talked to a lot of Virginians I respect, and I’ve talked about it with my family," Warner said in a statement. "But when I asked Virginians to hire me as their Senator, I made a promise to come to Washington to try to be a problem solver. I have to admit, it’s been tougher than I expected. But I’ve tried to keep at it." Warner's decision …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Following his Nov. 6 election loss to Tim Kaine, the longtime politico says it's time to get out of politics.
A fixture in Virginia politics is hanging up his hat. George Allen, the former governor and U.S. senator told the Richmond Times-Dispatch he has "no intention of running for office again." He and wife Susan “put our heart and soul into this campaign,” he told the newspaper. Here in Fredericksburg, Allen lost to Sen.-elect Tim Kaine at every precinct. Allen received 35.26 percent of the City's vote to 64.42 percent for Tim Kaine. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday he is "disappointed" to hear that Allen has taken himself out of the political arena after losing his Senate race last week to Tim Kaine. It was the second Senate race Allen lost, after losing his seat to Jim Webb in 2006. "Two big losses in a row make it tough for George …
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Governor has been traveling around the country stumping for the former Massachusetts governor
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was asked on Tuesday if he were a better choice than Florida Senator Marco Rubio for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate. "I will be the top advocate for Mitt Romney in Virginia," said McDonnell, after laughing at the question. McDonnell also said that President Barack Obama is a "good man, a good family man, he's worked hard, but the policies haven't worked." McDonnel was in Dale City on Tuesday for the groundbreaking ceremony for Interstate 95 high occupancy toll lanes. Romney will be stopping in Manassas on Saturday for a bus tour. ABC News reported that McDonnell will join Romney on the bus tour. Related Content: Romney to Campaign in Manassas Saturday McDonnell …
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Susan Allen's husband, George Allen, will have to win the June 12 Republican primary if he wants a chance at repealing the president's healthcare plan.
Susan Allen was stumping for her husband, U.S. Senate candidate George Allen, today in Fredericksburg and she had some influential political friends by her side. Sen. Bryce Reeves and Prince William County Del. Richard Anderson (R-51) tagged along with Susan Allen for a luncheon rally at the Blue and Gray Brewing Company. Reeves is the new co-chairman of the Military Caucus and Anderson is chairman. Anderson spent 30 years in the Air Force and Reeves is a former Army Ranger. After the luncheon, they visited with another small business owner Jeff Morin of Coins for Anything off Industrial Drive. The Republican primary is June 12 and both Allens are touring the state to talk to small business owners and voters. Allen's challengers are E.W. …
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
U.S. Senator Mark Warner spent an hour with University of Mary Washington students answering a number of different questions.
U.S. Senator Mark Warner told University of Mary Washington students today that although the economy is showing signs of improvement, the national deficit is much too high. Warner spent an hour with UMW students this morning in Monroe Hall, with most of his time spent answering questions. But he did talk about some good and bad news from Congress. Warner said 90 percent of America believes the U.S. Congress is dysfunctional. "I have to tell you that I am part of that 90 percent," he said. The economy is turning around. There have been more than 200,000 jobs created in the private sector going on four months, unemployment is down and the stock market is getting stronger, Warner said. "The last quarter, we actually had in the S&P one of the …
Monday, March 26, 2012
U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine is the only candidate so far to call for the repeal of the Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act
Governor Tim Kaine today is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act that would end tax breaks for the five largest oil companies. At 5:30 p.m., the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the Act, and to use the money instead to extend for one year expiring energy tax provisions for biodiesel, cullulosic ethanol and alternative fuels and to reduce the deficit. About $40 billion over five years could be saved. Pres. Obama made a call to end these subsidies during his State of the Union address. Last year, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell Group made a record $137 billion, and every additional penny they charge at the pump increases their profits by $200 million dollars per quarter, said …
Monday, March 12, 2012
House Speaker William J. Howell hailed the regular session a success with the passage of bills to create jobs, improve public education and reform public employees’ pension plan. Democrats tended to see the session as having failed to achieve its goals.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, March 12, 2012
By Sherese A. Gore Capital News Service House Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford, on Sunday hailed the General Assembly’s just-concluded regular session as a success, citing the passage of legislation to create jobs, improve public education and reform public employees’ pension plan. “Foremost among these accomplishments is the passage of sweeping reforms to the Virginia Retirement System, which will secure the future of our state retirement plans for current employees and future generations of workers,” Howell said. “Our work on economic development, public education and government reform will meaningfully improve the services we provide for citizens of the commonwealth and the administration of government.” Like other Republicans, Howell…
Larry Gross
5:29 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2013
you have to qualify to register but once you do provide the required information why not receive a photo ID - just like you do when you get a drivers license? If we want to require photo-id, fine - provide one when you register to vote.... I don't have a problem with photo id when you register to vote but I do have a problem when they do register you and then later on - even though you are … more ›