Thanks to Del. Adam Ebbin for trying to get the following bills passed by the Flat Earthers in the House of Delegates. It's truly pathetic that these bills weren't passed, and a great reason to vote Democratic this November. (courtesy of Ebbin's blog, "In the Belly of the Beast")
*HB 2555-Green Buildings Act would require that state buildings be built to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards promulgated by the US Green Building Council. Besides saving millions in energy costs, it would lead to better practices in water efficient landscaping, waste water use, recycling of construction waste, healthier ventilation and increased employee productivity and health. This bill was referred to the Housing Study Commission for review.
*HB 2550-would have prohibited discrimination in public employment by the Commonwealth. The legislation would codify our current state personnel policy that was established by the Executive Orders of Governors Kaine and Warner. The fact that 50 General Assembly members co-sponsored non-discrimination legislation is a milestone indicating that the code of Virginia needs to make this the permanent practice of the Commonwealth.
*HJ 681 would have established a Joint Study Committee on Climate Change. It would have specifically reviewed how to expand business opportunities for Virginia industries brought about by climate change mitigation and what practices our state government could adopt to reduce harmful greenhouse gases which pose a growing threat to our environment, citizens and coastal areas.
*HB 2552 would have protected consumers from unreasonable maintenance fees for holding gift cards.
*HJ 678 would have protected unmarried Virginians by ensuring that their rights were not rescinded by use of the recently passed Virginia "Marriage Amendment".
Let's just call it the "Do Nothing Legislature," why don't we?
Teach a 4 year old, spend 3 thousand dollars... save 70 thousand dollars housing a 17 year old dropout felon.
jeesh, even the republicans in OKLAHOMA know this is a good thing. Our republicans are a bunch of racisit aholes
Chuck Caputo had a bunch of great bills. They included certain types of tax relief with positive policy effects (e.g., energy efficiency, adopting parents, certain seniors). The state GOP is always saying they want to cut taxes -- but then look what they do when carefully targeted tax relief is proposed.
I'll be writing more about Chuck in coming months. He's smart, moderate, and sees through all the crap.
It looks like his 2007 opponent, an insurance industry lobbyist, is getting all his $$ support from that industry. Just what we need -- in case a Katrina-like disaster strikes VA -- a mouthpiece for the insurance industry. (Ask Trent Lott what he thinks of insurers after they would not cover his house damaged from Katrina.)
I really do believe that not only does there need to be a separate state for NOVA, but that there needs to be state realignment and creation all across the country.
It's one thing to be held hostage to dumb and immoral policies when it's the federal government (because we benefit at least from the unity the federal government gives) but we should be able to have our local laws bear some resemblance to what the majority in a wide geographic area feel. Instead, we're now under the control of the boondockian booboisie bigots in Virginia.