Please join us to support Senator Donald McEachin

Please Join Us
to support the re-election of

Senator Donald McEachin

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
8:00am to 9:00am
a continental breakfast will be provided

The Bull and Bear Club
901 E. Cary St., 21st Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Host Committee: $5,000
Sponsor: $2,500
Benefactor: $1,000
Patron: $500
Friend: $250

Questions? Call Steve Hurvitz at (703) 340-4497 or steve@stevehurvitz.com

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Checks Payable to McEachin for State Senate can be sent to:

McEachin for State Senate
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Richmond, Virginia 23223

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Senator McEachin Responds to Delegate Marshall’s Proposed Bill About LGBT Virginians in the National Guard

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

(Richmond)--Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today responded to Delegate Marshall’s proposed bill. Senator McEachin said, "I understand that Delegate Marshall is planning to introduce legislation prohibiting LGBT Virginians from serving in our National Guard. First of all, let me remind the Delegate that, when President Obama signs the federal legislation, that is the law of the land. The National Guard is a subset of our United States military and, as such, we cannot discriminate or prohibit membership based on sexual orientation.

"But, more importantly, the very idea that we would introduce discrimination into our Virginia Code is absolutely abhorrent to me. Virginians who want to serve, who are willing to make the sacrifice to serve in our National Guard, who work on a daily basis to help Virginians in need and who can be called up in the event of national need, should be applauded, honored and appreciated.

"When a family needs to be rescued from a flooded home, when a hurricane leaves destroyed streets and neighborhoods, when a nor'easter makes roads impassable, when our state is threatened by any outside enemy, the National Guard is there. These brave men and women ensure our safety and security without regard to the color of our skin, our religion, our age or our sexual orientation. We owe them, at a minimum, the same respect. We honor them for their service and for jobs always well done. We need not and must not worry about their race, religion or sexual orientation. It has nothing to do with the incredible tasks they perform and the sacrifices they make.

"I would hope that Delegate Marshall would reconsider this bill which can only remind all of us of the sordid history of discrimination that Virginians have worked together so hard to overcome. I am confident that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will see the abhorrence and mean-spiritedness of this legislation and that it will be soundly defeated.

"I ask the governor to join with fair-minded people of any and all political parties to ensure the defeat of this bill and to further ensure that Virginia becomes a place where all people receive equal opportunity, fairness and justice."

McEachin on denial of coal ash landfill permit

State Senator Donald McEachin was quoted in the Richmond Times Dispatch today:

Several residents and two elected officials — county Supervisor James B. Donati Jr. and state Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico — spoke in opposition of the landfill. Some brought up the landfill's history of violations and raised concerns about coal ash being dumped near their homes and the possible risks attached to the material, including groundwater contamination.

McEachin said he doesn't often get complaints from residents, but he has received many about the landfill operations.

"Even assuming that everything they say is true, you have to look at the actor that is involved," he said, noting the company was fined more than $100,000 by the DEQ last year. In April, DEQ determined that a rotten-egg odor that disturbed some residents was coming from the landfill. The company responded with operational changes to make improvements.

You can read the rest of the article here.

This site is moving!

Just a quick note to thank you for your support of State Senator Donald McEachin and to let you know that this site will be transitioning to a new address. Going forward, you will be able to find us at:

http://www.donald-mceachin.com/

Those of you who subscribe through our site's feed will need to update your feed to:

feed://www.donald-mceachin.com/feeds/posts/default

Finally, those of you who enjoy the site through Facebook probably won't notice anything different.

Thanks again for your support. We look forward to continuing to serve our community.

DPVA "Funraiser" postponed

Tonight's DPVA "Funraiser" has been postponed due to inclement weather.

We regret to inform you that due to today's inclement weather, the DPVA Holiday Fun-Raiser and meet and greet with Chairman Brian Moran will not be held this evening and will be rescheduled at a date soon to be announced.

Please assist us in making sure that anyone who you know who was considering attending this evening is aware of this this schedule change. We appreciate your flexibility and hope you stay safe and warm on this snowy day. We look forward to seeing you at this rescheduled event.

Everyone stay safe and warm!

Senator McEachin on McDonnell's plan to cut funding for public broadcasting

State Senator Donald McEachin was quoted in the Washington Post regarding Governor Bob McDonnell's plan to cut public funding for public broadcasting:

"Public television and radio provide a needed and important service for the people of the Commonwealth,'' Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) said. "To subject them to cuts of that nature and ultimately try to phase out funding is shortsighted."

You can read the complete article here.

Senator McEachin Responds to Report of Governor’s Bipartisan Commission on Redistricting

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today responded to the report that the governor may form a redistricting commission. Senator McEachin said, "Unfortunately, the governor’s suggestion is a day late and a dollar short. He is belatedly attempting to appear as if he is keeping his campaign promise, but his actions have not supported his words. Last year, a bill to create a bipartisan commission passed the State Senate and died with his Republican colleagues in the House of Delegates. Repeatedly, community leaders and Democratic legislators solicited the governor’s support for this legislation and implored him to speak with his Republican colleagues. Instead he remained implacably silent and his lack of words or actions spoke volumes. As the leader of his Party, even a few encouraging words from him would have changed the outcome. Instead, at the last minute, now, as the census results are about to arrive, the governor makes a few casual comments.

"Moreover, the governor stands idly by as Attorney General Cuccinelli says Virginia has outgrown the Voting Rights Act. Again, the governor’s silence is deafening.

In the lifetimes of many of us, minority voters had to pay a poll tax or pass a literacy test or even risk physical harm to register to vote. In recognition of these serious concerns that took a century to overcome, the Voting Rights Act was passed and recently renewed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

"I would remind the governor that, as the leader of the Commonwealth and the head of his Party, his words and actions can and do carry a lot of weight. He missed his opportunity on bipartisan redistricting when the bill was before the legislature and now he is missing the opportunity to repudiate the Attorney General’s inappropriate, risky and reckless suggestion."

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DPVA Weekly Update

Senator McEachin's Fairness and Justice Act is mentioned in this week's DPVA Weekly Update.

Click here to become a
Citizen Co-Sponsor of the Fairness and Justice Act.

Senator A. Donald McEachin Responds to Dismissal of Healthcare Lawsuit

Senator A. Donald McEachin Responds to
Dismissal of Healthcare Lawsuit

Richmond - Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today responded to the dismissal by Judge Moon of the health care lawsuit filed by Liberty University. "I am pleased to see yet another of these lawsuits dismissed. These lawsuits waste valuable court time that could be better spent on real issues and real people. As Judge Moon articulated, the health care legislation enacted by Congress is a valid use of their authority under the Commerce Clause. As this was the second suit to be thrown out, I eagerly anticipate the remaining lawsuits to be similarly dismissed.

Once again, I call on the Attorney General to invest his time and resources and those of the numerous attorneys in his office on issues of immediate import to Virginians. Virginians need his help with consumer fraud, the war on drugs, payday lending and other issues that truly matter in Virginians' lives."

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