A Senate committee Thursday gave its blessing to a bill that, if enacted, ultimately could enable the state to permit government workers to add same-sex partners to their health benefits.
The legislation from Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, comes roughly one year after a proposed regulatory change to accomplish that goal was withdrawn from consideration.
A suggested policy change to allow state workers to extend benefits to “other qualified adults” -- such as same-sex partners adult children and other adults in their households -- became public in the waning days of former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s term.
Senator A. Donald McEachin and Delegate Albert Pollard Discuss Their Environmental Legislation
Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin and Delegate Albert Pollard today held a press conference to discuss their introduced environmental legislation. Senator McEachin has introduced four bills. Senate Bill 814 would have protected the Chesapeake Bay and would have prohibited drilling in the Bay.
Senator McEachin said, “The Chesapeake Bay is a unique resource. It provides jobs for watermen and farmers. It brings us tourist dollars and is home to many important species of plants and animals. The loss of jobs would have a very detrimental impact on our economy and on Virginia families, many of whom have, literally spent centuries living off the Bay.
“My externalities bill would require that, when we consider building a new power plant, like a coal facility, that we take into consideration the public health costs and impact on the local community. This is important because, if there are deleterious impacts, these will cost the Commonwealth, that is, us, the taxpayers, down the road.
“Senate Bill 907 creates inclining block rates for power. In many parts of the Commonwealth, we sell power like warehouse shopping. Like at Sam’s Club or Costco, you get a price break for buying in quantity. The problem with that is that we don’t want people to buy, that is, use a lot of energy. No matter what your opinion on climate change, we all recognize that dependence on fossil fuels is bad for our country’s future and bad for national security. This is a free market way to encourage folks to conserve energy. This would reward people for using less energy in their homes. I would also add that I would like to see increased programs to help and reward people for making their homes more energy efficient. By assisting families with energy efficiency measures like insulation, we will ensure more savings and even less energy usage.
“Finally, Senate Bill 1119 would make it easier for DEQ to consider past performance records when granting permits for landfills.
Delegate Pollard spoke of his bill and the formation of the conservation caucus. He said that we are bringing together “likeminded people who do not necessarily always agree, but want to work together to make a difference. In speaking to his bill, he said, “Virginia’s schools and municipal buildings hold great potential for helping to meet Virginia’s energy needs. By giving the Virginia Resources Authority the authorization to fund municipal renewable energy projects, HB2389 is an integral first step in meeting those energy needs using clean, renewable energy. Furthermore, this legislation will give municipalities the flexibility to plan for the future with the knowledge that they have taken the action necessary to cut energy cost giving our localities more flexibility in meeting local community needs.”
Senator McEachin concluded the press conference by saying, “These issues are too important and we will continue to work at them, to bring people together, to leave the earth a healthier place for our children than we found it.”
Legislators and Other Discuss Non-Discrimination Legislation
Richmond –Senator A. Donald McEachin, Senator Mark Herring, Delegate Adam Ebbin, Delegate David Englin, Delegate Joe Morrissey and Minority Leader Ward Armstrong spoke about legislation pending in the General Assembly about non-discrimination. They were joined by Captain Anthony Woods, a graduate of West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government who has served this country valiantly in Iraq, James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, and Reverend Robin Gorsline, president of People of Faith for Equality and pastor of Metropolitan Community Church.
Delegate Ebbin, who has been, as Senator McEachin said in introducing him, “a rock for this movement” spoke of his legislation, House Bill 2046. “Our state is behind the voters. It is simply the right thing to do.” He stressed that it is important for all public employees, including teacher and college professors to receive protections, especially in light of the Attorney General’s actions against colleges last spring.
Senator Herring, who is carrying Senate Bill 1121 with Senator McEachin, explained that their bill would allow local governments to have non-discrimination policies for their employees. “As a former supervisor,” he added, “I know how important it is to be competitive with the private sector and this will make a big difference.”
Delegate Morrissey explained that his legislation, House Bill 2345 is in opposition to the proposed ban on LGBT citizens serving in the Virginia National Guard. He explained that he is confident that LGBT Virginians have “the strength, the character, the courage and the conviction” to serve us well.
Delegate Englin mentioned his bill to repeal the Marshall-Newman amendment ad said that although it is an uphill battle, he is confident that Virginians want their fellow citizens to be able to live “in dignity” and have civil unions available to them. He also advocated for his anti-bullying bill which would strengthen procedures for school districts to combat bullying. “Sexual orientation and perceived sexual orientation continues to be a problem. The responsibility to fight this bullying is all of ours.”
Minority Leader Armstrong paraphrased the words of Dr King in saying that “our employees should be judged by their job performance and not anything else.”
James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, a nonpartisan organization, said that discrimination is not good public policy and that these proposed bills are “not partisan and not extreme.”
Reverend Gorsline remarked that “As people of faith, we know that a society that denies dignity to a portion of its citizens is a society that is falling short of its potential.”
Captain Woods said that, as a Virginian, he is here to show support for efforts for equality for all Virginians and that “on the battlefield, sexual orientation doesn’t matter one bit.”
Senator McEachin concluded the press conference by discussing his three bills, codifying non-discrimination, allowing local governments to set their own non-discrimination policies and providing for health benefits for state employees. Senator McEachin said, “It is time to take this issue off the table. Our children expect this and deserve this. This issue is too important for partisan rhetoric.“ He explained that, “This is our opportunity to codify, to write into the Virginia Code these basic human protections for our state employees, to ensure that no state employee shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity. The time is now.”
Legislators Discuss Their Bills to Limit Attorney General's Overreach and CID Authority; Chair of AAUP Government Relations Committee Expresses Their Dismay
Richmond- Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico), Senator J. Chapman Petersen (D- Fairfax) and Delegate David Toscano (D-Charlottesville) held a press conference today to explain their legislation to limit the Attorney General's Civil Investigative Demands (CID) authority. They were joined by Professor Brian Turner, chair of the Randolph-Macon Political Science Department and chair of the Government Relations Committion of the American Association of University Professors. Professor Richard Schragger, professor of law at the University of Virginia Law School who was unable to attend, sent a letter in support.
Senator Petersen discussed his bill, sb 831, which would limit the Attorney General's CID authority regarding academic inquiry and research. Senator Petersen said that academic research should not be politicized to the extent that subpoenas are issued. He added, "Professors have to have freedom to pursue subjects; students can make up their own minds whether they agree or not." Under Senator Petersen's bill, universities can still be investigated for fraudulent actions, simply not about research. "To access records, use FOIA," Senator Petersen concluded.
Delegate Toscano, who represents Charlottesville and the University of Virginia in the House of Delegates spoke of the privilege of holding the same seat that Thomas Jefferson once held. "However," he said, "Mr. Jefferson would be turning over in his grave about what has occurred." The Delegate stated that "those who love liberty, who are concerned about the power of the state, and about the overreach of government ought to embrace this legislation."
Senator McEachin's legislation takes a different approach, removing this specific portion of the Attorney General's CID power. "No other civil lawyer can issue a subpoena without a cause of action," Senator McEachin said. "If the attorney general wants to engage in these kinds of activities, he should file a lawsuit and show cause, just as any other attorney must do in a civil case." He added that the attorney general's actions are not at all consistent with the original intent of the legislation, to which Senator Petersen, who was in the General Assembly when those powers were granted, concurred.
Legislators Speak of need to Reform Foreclosure Process; Homeowners Speak of Their Tragic Experiences
Richmond – Today at the Capitol, a bipartisan group of legislators joined with a title insurance attorney and two citizens who have lost their homes through foreclosure to speak of bills introduced this Session to reform the foreclosure process. Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico), Senator J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax), Delegate Robert Marshall (R- Prince William) and Delegate Robin Abbott (D- Newport News) explained the bills they have introduced in the 2011 General Assembly Session to reform a broken foreclosure process. Delegate Betsy Carr (D-Richmond) was also there in support of her colleagues’ legislation.
Delegate Marshall has had numerous constituents contact him saying that they could not determine to whom they actually owe the money. He said there is a lack of tracking and a lack of authenticity with homeowner records. He added that the "broad ideological spectrum" represented here shows that this is a "core value of government." He concluded, "Failure to act this Session is a bail out for the big banks and a gift to them."
Senator Petersen noted that to receive TARP dollars, banks had to agree to participate in the modification process for eligible loans. They have agreed to this process; it is not a gift for them to be reviewing loan modification requests. Senator Petersen has introduced several bills to avert the "drive-by foreclosures" which Virginians are presently facing. He has bills to ensure an accurate recordation of property rights and a 30 day notice of foreclosure. He also has introduced a bill that forbids the use of fabricated documents in foreclosure. Finally, he has introduced legislation that will require recordation of mortgage assignments in county courthouses to significantly improve the record-keeping process.
Mr. Todd Reston, a title insurance attorney from Reston, Virginia, also spoke to discuss the problems he has seen among homeowners who have met with him. He says the pending legislation will "instill a bare minimum of disclosure which will not only help homeowners, but potential purchasers."
Del. Abbott spoke of the importance of helping Virginians and said she hopes her legislation will be incorporated with Del. Marshall’s to ensure that the necessary changes are made. She is proud to stand with her colleague, Del. Marshall, from across the aisle, on this issue today.
Before Senator McEachin concluded the press conference, two homeowners spoke of their tragic nightmares losing their homes. Both individuals believed they had complied with every request of their bank and attempted to modify their mortgages appropriately, but to no avail.
Finally, Senator McEachin explained his legislation which will add judicial, objective oversight to the foreclosure process. "Citizens are not deprived of life or liberty without due process; they should not lose their homes without due process. Banks should need to go to court to effectuate foreclosure."
State Senator Donald McEachin has an Op-Ed in today's Richmond Times Dispatch:
In Virginia, state employees are protected from discrimination against them on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, age and other categories with which we are all familiar. Last year I introduced a bill to add a prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to that list.
I did that because, although Govs. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine had outlawed this form of discrimination by executive order, Gov. Bob McDonnell had said he felt that was an inappropriate mechanism and that it was properly in the domain of the General Assembly to make that decision. With that in mind, I introduced the bill so the governor would have the opportunity to support non-discrimination. Unfortunately, he and his administration sat on their hands and the legislation failed. However, I am re-introducing the same bill again because I believe this is such a very important issue.
