Senator Donald McEachin

McEachin reacts to PPP poll on Power Sharing

2011-12-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Notes that PPP Poll Reinforces
That Senate Power Should be Shared

Richmond - Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) noted that that the PPP Poll released today showed that Virginians, by an absolute majority, want power shared in the State Senate. Senator McEachin said, "As I would have expected, the inherent fairness of Virginians, their interests in seeing the parties work together to find real solutions and not engage in partisan posturing, was further demonstrated today by the PPP Poll results.

"Over half of respondents, 55%, believe that power should be shared in the Virginia State Senate. These voters, constituents of both Democrats and Republicans, recognize that the Election day results created an evenly divided Senate and, therefore, the Senate should organize in a way reflective of those results.

"I would ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to respect not only the Election Day outcome, but this further indicator, from a scientific poll, that demonstrates that Virginians want parity and power-sharing. As elected legislators, representatives of the people, we should respond to Virginians’ needs and perspectives and follow their directives."

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McEachin on power sharing lawsuit

2011-12-16T14:35:00.000-05:00

From the office of State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Statement on Lawsuit Decision

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement on the judge’s ruling in the Democratic Senate lawsuit. "While I respectfully disagree with the outcome, it was purely a procedural decision. The judge determined that the matter was not ripe for a final determination on the merits. The opinion was not a decision on the merits of whether the Lieutenant Governor can vote on Senate organization.

"I call on the Republicans to respect the will of the voters and past history. The senate is evenly divided, 20-20 so committees and responsibilities and power should be divided to reflect that even split, just as the Republicans said in 1996. Even then Governor Allen spoke to the need for parity under these same circumstances.

"The Senate Democratic caucus will continue to explore all its options, both legal and procedural, to resolve this issue in a way that reflects the actual outcome on election day, not an arrogant partisan power grab, totally to the benefit of one Party that does not reflect a majority of the Senate," Senator McEachin concluded.

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Senator McEachin on today's Virginia Tech shooting

2011-12-08T19:02:00.002-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Expresses Profound Dismay and Sadness
Over New Shooting at Virginia Tech

Henrico- Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today expressed his profound sadness and grief over the new shootings at Virginia Tech. Senator McEachin said, “When I first heard the report I, like all other Virginians, was immediately hurled back to that awful April morning five years ago. Once again, we mourn the loss of life. Once again, our hearts are in our throats as we think of our children on campus at Virginia Tech and campuses everywhere. Once again, we wonder about the senselessness of it all and, once again, as a Commonwealth we grieve.

“I just want to take this moment to, in the midst of our helplessness, to hope that all those who grieve, all those who are touched by this, find comfort and solace. As Virginians, we will pray together that this tragedy is soon resolved and that all of those who have suffered will find peace and consolation. “

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Senator McEachin's statement on the Kaine-Allen Debate

2011-12-07T20:01:00.001-05:00

Senator McEachin Says Governor Kaine’s Debate Performance Clearly Demonstrates That He Has the Path to Lead Virginia to a Successful Future

Henrico – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement after watching the Kaine-Allen debate. “I was so pleased to see Governor Kaine put forward a positive, pro-active agenda. Unlike his opponent, Governor Kaine demonstrated his knowledge of the issues, his understanding of the needs of Virginia and a mastery of the economy and how to grapple with the big problems we face as a country.

“Former Senator Allen spent his time mouthing a partisan diatribe. Repeatedly, Senator Allen simply parroted the typical Republican partisan attacks on Democrats. His slash and burn approach throughout the debate and his continued foolish references to the DNC disappointed me. Virginians deserve better. They deserve to hear a carefully laid out contrast of the plans and visions of these two men. Governor Kaine did that; Senator Allen did not.

“Of course, Senator Allen has a reputation for rhetoric that does not square with his actions. Although he claims to be a supporter of small government and fiscal conservatism, when he last served in the Senate, with his vote, the debt grew astronomically. Senator Allen voted to increase the debt ceiling four times, no matter his present statements.

“At the same time, when Governor Kaine was in office during the largest recession in recent history, he cut $5 billion in spending, preserved the state’s AAA bond rating and still maintained the critical priorities of public education and job creation. As a member of the Virginia General Assembly, I can tell you that Governor Kaine reached across the aisle. Working with legislators from both parties, Governor Kaine addressed the financial crisis we were facing in Virginia. Thanks to his efforts, Virginia has weathered these perilous economic times.

“Governor Kaine is a problem-solver, not a partisan flame-thrower and Virginians will be fortunate to have him as our next US Senator.”

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Senator McEachin Statement on International AIDS DAY

2011-12-01T18:10:00.000-05:00

Senator McEachin Statement on International AIDS DAY

Henrico –Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement on the occasion of International AIDS Day. Senator McEachin said, “We need to take this opportunity to remember every person who has lost a father or mother, a sister or brother, a son or daughter, a spouse, partner or friend to this terrible scourge. Too many have been lost to this horrific disease and too many loved ones today are missing family members. In parts of the United States and in too many places around the world, AIDS still ravages populations that don’t have access or resources to the medicines available.

However, thanks to modern medical science, amazing progress has been made. We need to continue to invest in AIDS research but also in making sure that treatment is available for all sufferers. We need to ensure progress continues until, one day, AIDS is eradicated and, until then, that it can be not only managed but cured. Moreover, until those times come, we need to re-invest in research, but, also, in education so that every person will have the have the best chance to remain disease free.”

RTD on McEachin: "He is Right"

2011-07-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

When it comes to redistricting, the conservative Richmond Times Dispatch admits that McEachin is right:

The state Senate and the House of Delegates have approved competing maps for congressional redistricting. Compromise has not occurred. Sen. Donald McEachin says, "The courts probably will decide" the question. The Henrico Democrat probably is right.

Read the rest of the editorial in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

State Sen. Donald McEachin Speaks at LGBT/Democratic Fundraiser

2011-07-15T17:55:00.000-04:00

McEachin on Appointment of First African-American Female Judge in Henrico

2011-06-14T19:10:00.002-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Commends General Assembly on Appointment of
First African-American Female Judge in Henrico County

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today commended the 2011 Virginia General Assembly for appointing Ms. Mary Malveaux, the first female African-American judge to the Henrico County Bench. Senator McEachin said, “This is an important milestone for Henrico County. An important part of our justice system is that it looks like Virginia and, in this case, Henrico. In other words, it is important to have both male and female judges and judges from various ethnic backgrounds. As Henrico becomes more diverse, our judiciary should reflect that diversity. I want to take this opportunity to commend the General Assembly for recognizing this and appointing and extremely competent attorney, Mary Malveaux as a judge in Henrico.

"Mary Malveaux has an illustrious background as an attorney, having been both a criminal defense lawyer and a member of the Henrico Commonwealth’s attorney staff. Moreover, in her almost twenty years of practicing law, she has worked in a wide variety of fields from family law, and civil litigation to insurance issues. Ms. Malveaux grew up in Richmond and is a graduate of the University of Virginia and TC Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, making her intimately familiar with issues in the Commonwealth and in the metro area.

"She has also chosen to be very involved with the community, volunteering in many activities including Voices for Virginia’s Children, the VCU Children’s Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity and the United Way.

"I am confident that Ms. Malveaux will bring a new and needed voice to Henrico and that her outstanding credentials will make her a judge of whom we can all be proud. I would once again like to commend the General Assembly for recognizing both the need and Ms. Malveaux’s qualifications to help meet that need."

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McEachin Endorses Locke Plan for Congressional Redistricting

2011-06-09T20:24:00.002-04:00

From Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Endorses Locke Plan
for Congressional Redistricting

Richmond –Today, Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) endorsed Senator Mamie Locke’s (D-Hampton) amended plan for Congressional redistricting. Senator McEachin said, “This amended plan, to be introduced by Senator Locke today, is an excellent one and far superior to the politically motivated, incumbent protection plan introduced by Delegate Janis. By every objective measure, Senator Locke’s plan is a significant improvement.

“Her plan, overall, contains far more compact districts. As matter of fact, both commonly accepted scales used to measure compactness in redistricting, the Reock Scale and the Polsby-Popper Scale, find the Locke proposal to be significantly better. On the Reock Scale, Senator Locke’s plan is over 10% improvement (3.01 Janis vs. 3.44 Locke) and on Polsby-Popper scale, the improvement approaches 10% (1.75 Janis versus 1.88 Locke).

“The following districts are appreciably more compact under Senator Locke’s plan:

• The Third District which, in the Janis plan, goes from South Hampton Roads through the suburbs of Henrico will be totally contained in Hampton Roads in Senator Locke’s proposal.

• The Seventh District, in the Janis plan, goes from Culpeper in the west, but in the Locke proposal, is almost all contained in the Richmond metropolitan area.

• The Fifth district, under the Janis bill, goes from the North Carolina border to the northernmost point of Fauquier County. In the Locke legislation, the district ends approximately forty miles further south in the Town of Culpeper.

“Senator Locke’s plan reunites several communities of interest which had been egregiously divided in Delegate Janis’ incumbency protection proposal. Roanoke and Salem, which had been split, are reunited and contained within one district.
Alleghany County is reunited with Bath and Highland in the Sixth Congressional District.

“Both the Third and the Seventh are self-contained communities of interest under Senator Locke’s plan.

“Virginia voters do not want incumbency protection. They want competitive districts where their votes matter. In Senator Locke’s legislation, several of the districts are more competitive than under the Republican plan, including the Third, Fifth and Ninth.

“I recognize that the Locke plan creates another minority influence district and our minority population demonstrates that need. While it accomplishes that, it also meets these other important criteria.

“Senator Locke did not sit in a backroom with incumbent politicians to draw her plan. She met with voters, she has amended her plan at the suggestion of voters and she has created a plan that in many critical ways is significantly superior to the politically motivated incumbency protection plan put forth by Delegate Janis.”

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From Style Weekly: "Commentary: Costly Silence"

2011-05-04T11:03:00.002-04:00

In this week's Style Weekly, Paul Goldman questions why Richmond lost the opportunity to gain an additional State Senate seat:

In an act of singular political courage, state Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico County, agreed to make a political sacrifice to help the Richmond region get the representation it deserves in the senate. He took the lead in convincing the Democratic majority to support a redistricting plan giving Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties an extra member of the state senate. Pantele, a Democrat and a resident of that Democratic-leaning district, would have been the slight favorite to win against a solid Republican challenger.

McEachin is a savvy legislator. He knew this extra vote meant hundreds of millions in additional tax dollars being returned to taxpayers in the region as opposed to the money being shipped to other areas of the state. Why?

State funds are allocated to cities and counties according to formulas passed into law by the General Assembly. Few Richmonders know anything about this process. Making sure our area gets a fair share is one of the most important jobs of any state senator. An extra senator would have been hugely beneficial.

Read Paul Goldman's "Commentary: Costly Silence" in Style Weekly.

McEachin Disappointed in Governor’s PBS cuts

2011-05-03T23:10:00.003-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin

Senator McEachin Very Disappointed in Governor’s Reduction of PBS Funding:

"This is not good for Virginians"

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today criticized Governor McDonnell’s decision to cut PBS funding. Although the governor had previously proposed cuts in this area, his efforts had been rebuffed by the legislature. He has ignored their position and their vote to make this decision. Senator McEachin said, "I am very disappointed in this determination by the governor. The governor proposed this previously and the General Assembly, in a bipartisan vote, denied this plan.

"Public Broadcasting is not just another television channel. For many Virginia families, PBS is an invaluable access to cultural and educational programming. Not all Virginians can afford a night at the theater or at the symphony. Not all Virginia children have the opportunity for early academic exposure. PBS provides these services for every Virginian, with no charge. PBS provides enrichment for all of us, but particularly for those who have limited cultural and educational outlets. The reach and extent of PBS more than magnifies the limited contribution from the Commonwealth.

"I am very disappointed and dismayed in the governor's decision. This kind of shortsighted and restrictive thinking will not help us lift every Virginian and ensure that every Virginian has the education, job skills and access to a range of information to make them successful."

McEachin on Redistricting

2011-04-18T07:52:00.003-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin had an article in the Richmond Times Dispatch yesterday entitled "Redistricting is a constitutional protection."

Redistricting, a term that recently seems to have, at a minimum, many controversial connotations, is actually a constitutional protection.

Delineated in the federal Constitution, reapportionment — now more commonly known as redistricting — is the process by which we ensure the extremely critical and essential concept of "one person, one vote," as defined by the courts within very limited variance.

Because of irregular population trends over the commonwealth (and, for that matter, the country) over time legislators may find themselves representing very different numbers of people. The "ideal" number of voters in a Virginia Senate district is determined by dividing the population by 40, the number of Senate districts. The method is the same for the House of Delegates, except divided by 100, the number of House districts.

Read the entire article at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

McEachin challenges Cuccinelli's "guns in churches" opinion

2011-04-13T14:59:00.002-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Deplores Attorney General Opinion on Guns in Places of Worship

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today issued this statement about Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s ruling on guns in places of worship. "Once again, the Attorney General governs by fiat and by his opinion rather than by the constitutional process of legislation. This very bill was introduced in the 2010 General Assembly Session, only to be left in committee by members of his own Party, never even to make it to a Floor vote. Republicans in the House of Delegates opposed this legislation and defeated it, but rather than accept the legislative process and therefore, the will of the people, the Attorney General has seen fit, once again, to overrule and ignore the Virginia General Assembly with its duly elected representatives of the people, and simply impose his own will on the Commonwealth."

Senator McEachin continued, "I cannot imagine a need to carry guns in places of worship where people go to seek peace, prayer and solace. Now, thanks to the Attorney General, if a faith community does not wish guns at their services, they will be forced to post signs and expend funds to ensure guns are not present. The assumption will be that guns can be there, even if they are contrary to the spirit of the religious service and the desires of the congregants.

"If this is truly what Virginians want, then the bill needs to be passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor. Are the Attorney General and his cohorts afraid of a real and honest debate on this issue? Are they afraid that the vote will turn out as it did previously? Is the Attorney General so determined to kowtow to radical gun organizations that he does not want to allow faith leaders to have the opportunity to express their opinions on this subject?

"Next Session, I will put in a bill to not have guns in places of worship and then an honest debate on the merits of this policy can occur, culminating in a vote by all the elected representatives in the General Assembly. This serious decision can then be made by the people, not by a single individual's political grandstanding."

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Virginia Senate honors VCU Mens Basketball Team

2011-04-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

You are invited to a cocktail reception with Terry McAuliffe

2011-04-06T15:30:00.004-04:00

Please join us for a cocktail reception to support the re-election of

State Senator Donald McEachin

with special guest

Terry McAuliffe

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The home of Allison Weinstein and Ivan Jecklin
640 Walsing Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23229

Host: $5,000
Sponsor: $2,500
Benefactor: $1,000
Patron: $500
Friend: $250
*Special Limited Internet Rate (only 10 tickets available): $100

Host Committee ($1,000 and up):

*Leonard Bennett ($5,000 Host)
Jim Weinberg and Rosann Bocciarelli
Eva Hardy
*Bill Jefferson ($5,000 Host)
Chris Little
Terry McAuliffe
Linda and Steve Nash
Major Reynolds
Dwight Snead
Carole and Marcus Weinstein
Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.

To RSVP, please contact Steve Hurvitz at (703) 340-4497 or steve@stevehurvitz.com
RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends!

Please make your contribution payable to:

McEachin for State Senate
4719 Nine Mile Road
Richmond, Virginia 23223

Click here to download contribution form.
You may also contribute online at www.donaldmceachin.com

McEachin asks McDonnell to Support LGBT Foster Parents

2011-04-06T14:52:00.002-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Sends Letter to the Governor Asking Him
to Support Proposed Foster Children Standards for LGBT Virginians

Richmond –Senator A. Donald McEachin today sent the letter copied below to Governor Robert McDonnell in reference to the proposed standards for LGBT Virginians to serve as a foster parents for children here in the Commonwealth.

The Honorable Robert McDonnell
Post Office Box 1475
Richmond, Virginia 23218

April 5, 2011

Dear Governor McDonnell,

I am writing to ask you to please publish in final form the proposed new standards for licensed private child placing agencies that have been under review for over a year. Over the past year, no real concerns have been raised about these new standards. The February 22, 2011 public hearing lasted for less than half an hour and no objections of any significance were raised.

As I know you appreciate, too many Virginia children languish in the system because of a lack of foster parents. Every child deserves the opportunity to be loved, to have a home and family and to feel needed. We can all agree that for a child to feel loved and appreciated and to have an adult who is invested in him or and wants to ensure that the child becomes everything he or she can be, is our shared goal.

These proposed standards simply ensure that adults who want to love and care for a child will not be rejected just because of who they are and/or what faith they follow. I know that both of us want this for all of Virginia’s children.

Please, Governor McDonnell, approve these standards for the sake of all children in need of a home.

Sincerely,

A. Donald McEachin

Cc: State Board of Social Services

McEachin disappointed by McDonnell veto

2011-03-30T15:59:00.002-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Expresses Disappointment
with Governor’s Veto of Landfill Management Act

Richmond – State Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today expressed his disappointment and concern that the governor has vetoed his Landfill Management Act, SB1119. This bill would have simply ensured a smooth process for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fine landfills that are in violation of Virginia law and to help ensure that landfills meet the standards that exist.

Senator McEachin said, “I cannot imagine any good reason to veto this bill which passed the General Assembly with strong bipartisan support, including a unanimous vote in the State Senate. Democrats and Republicans voted for this legislation because they appreciate that landfills must be safe, must comply with regulations and must meet certain standards so that neighborhoods and communities are secure.

“For Governor McDonnell to undermine the legitimate concerns of communities as well as undermine his own state agency’s ability to monitor and regulate landfills is absurd and incomprehensible. The landfill regulations exist for the protection of the community, while allowing the landfill to serve a necessary purpose. Now, it will be even more difficult to ensure that any landfill, even one located right next to a residential community, follows procedures and rules.

“I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate, will join me in protecting Virginians and preserving our Commonwealth by overturning the governor’s veto.”

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McEachin: "Compromises strengthened the state budget"

2011-03-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Compromises strengthened the state budget

The budget — proposed by the governor and revised, amended and approved by the General Assembly — frequently seems like an arcane process with incomprehensibly large numbers, accompanied by the usual partisan squabbling. In other words, all too often, it seems impossible to know what is happening, let alone what the real impacts of the budgetary decisions are.

This General Assembly session, in which the House of Delegates and the state Senate had very different proposals, was only the most recent example of this phenomenon. As each side fought for their priorities, I believe that most Virginians had no idea what was actually at stake and what the impact of the various decisions would be.

For the first time in several years, the state had a modest revenue increase. This allowed the legislature to not make additional draconian cuts, and even to augment certain areas. Nevertheless, while perhaps less heart-wrenching, deciding what to do with the additional income was one of the sources of strife.

The initial proposals from the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic majority in the Senate were very different. The House focused on increased funding cuts and on helping business by ending the accelerated sales tax for most retailers. The Senate, on the other hand, wanted to use the increased revenue to restore resources to K-12 education, public safety needs and health care.

Compromise created the final product, improving it because of the input from both sides. By forcing the House and Senate to work together to craft a final budget, priorities were reviewed and reassessed, forming a budget that took the best from both drafts.

The budget that was approved unanimously at the end of the General Assembly session restores some funding from the massive cuts that were made to public education and helps to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens — the elderly, the poor, children and those who are sick or disabled — receive some necessary services. At the same time, the budget puts millions into the "rainy day" fund, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and foresight and returns funds that were borrowed during the recent difficult years to the pension fund.

Specifically, how do these decisions impact Virginia families and where will most of us see the differences? Although the House had recommend decreasing funding for education, the final version, with the Senate having taken a strong stand, adds significant funds to the public school system. These funds, desperately needed by public schools and the localities that help fund them, can help keep teachers in classrooms so the student-teacher ratio does not need to increase.

The resources will help schools purchase needed materials, including technology. Finally, they can help make sure that specific programs, such as drop-out prevention, are funded. The strength and vitality of our public schools matter to all of us, whether or not we have students in them.

A well-educated society will create a strong and skilled workforce, allowing the commonwealth to continue to excel and to be "the best place for business." When youth drop out of school and don’t receive the skills and education they need to succeed, they not only cannot contribute their fair share, eventually they become a burden to all of us. Keeping kids in school and ensuring they graduate with real skills makes sense for everyone.

As part of our drive to have Virginians excel and to have our commonwealth be a leader, the final budget augments the funding for higher education. This funding includes more resources for workforce development programs at Virginia’s community colleges, additional dollars to help students transfer from community college to a four-year school and more funding for the Virginia Military Survivor and Dependents Program.

However, some of the money going to higher education will have a double impact by increasing funding for cancer research at U.Va. and VCU. Investments such as these provide opportunities for studentsand also can have a significant impact on health care as new discoveries help us to eliminate this scourge.

The budget contains other small, but necessary, assists for health care. It restores some money to Medicaid providers, ensuring that those citizens on Medicaid will have access to health care. Without this small boost in dollars, many providers would have not been able to serve Medicaid patients, creating a public health crisis that, in the long run, would have cost Virginians even more. The budget also provides desperately needed resources for the Behavioral Health and Developmental Service Trust Fund.

Finally, this budget adds resources for localities to pay police officers to ensure public safety in our communities while also augmenting funding for juvenile diversion programs and crime control plans.

By working together, the General Assembly created a fiscally responsible budget that addresses core services and needs while still putting dollars away in case of a fiscal crisis — and accomplished all these important goals without raising taxes on Virginians.

Sometimes, in the long hours of heated debate, filled with hyperbole and rhetoric, it becomes difficult to see solutions. However, we, as Virginians, can be proud of this final document and know that, after all the exaggerated verbiage, the General Assembly made reasonable choices and priorities that will benefit the commonwealth for a long time.

"Why Obamacare will survive in the Supreme Court"

2011-03-06T22:40:00.003-05:00

From Senator Donald McEachin: "Interesting reading. I went to UVA law school and can assure anyone who read this article that Professor Bonnie is NOT a flaming liberal.

Two federal district court judges have ruled that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority under the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause when it included the so-called individual mandate in the recent health-care act.

That makes the score on this issue among district court judges 3-2 in favor of the mandate. Given the widespread expectation that Supreme Court justices will vote according to party affiliation, the American public probably expects a 5-4 decision, with Justice Anthony Kennedy, a Republican appointee, casting the swing vote in a close case.

However, most constitutional experts do not expect this to be a close case.

The individual mandate admittedly presents what lawyers call a case of first impression — meaning that Congress has never done anything quite like this before. However, if the justices adhere to well-established constitutional principles and do not disavow their previous rulings, a firm majority of the court will rule that the individual mandate is within Congress' constitutional authority.

The majority of at least six justices will include both Kennedy and one of the court's most predictably conservative votes, Antonin Scalia.

Read the rest of this provocative piece at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

McEachin lauds autism bill in Times Dispatch

2011-02-27T11:32:00.002-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin talks about his autism bill in today's Times Dispatch:

While polio may have been the children's epidemic of the last century, autism appears to be the scourge of the early part of the 21st century. In the United States and here in Virginia, almost one in every 70 boys and one in every 110 girls are afflicted by the disorder.

Like other epidemics, autism doesn't care about race or socioeconomic status — all children are vulnerable. Moreover, while no one yet knows why, autism is growing at the shocking rate of 10 percent to 17 percent per year. The Autism Society estimates that the cost of caring for a child with autism over a lifetime ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million — and that our country faces close to $90 billion in annual costs for autism.

Read "Autism bill helps all Virginians" in today's Times Dispatch.

Democratic Legislators form a Progressive Caucus

2011-02-25T12:56:00.001-05:00

From the office of State Senator Donald McEachin:

Legislators Announce Formation of Progressive Caucus

Richmond – This morning, a group of legislators gathered to announce the formation of a Progressive Caucus in the Virginia General Assembly. At the announcement, Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) said, “Progressive values are Virginia values. Families across the Commonwealth want their legislature to focus on issues that matter to them.” Delegate Hope continued, “The Progressive Caucus serves to fight for the interests of the average citizen and to educate the public on Progressive issues.
“We will define our agenda in time for this fall’s elections so voters can see what we stand for.”

His colleague, Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) added, “While Virginia can be slow to change, we have to keep pace with the times when it comes to issues like stem cell research, global warming and society’s attitudes towards gays and lesbians. As progressives, it is important that we stand together as we move Virginia forward.”

Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria) stated, “It’s time for progressive legislators to organize and work together to advance the progressive values that we share, so we can keep our Commonwealth moving toward that day when every person – including the poor, the elderly, the week, the dispossessed – has a fair shake and an equal shot at the American dream.”

Delegate Kaye Kory (D- Fairfax) added that “it’s about taking the best values of the past and taking them to the future. It’s about inclusion.”

Delegate Jeion Ward (D-Newport News) talked about working men and women who have built Virginia’s economy. “Nothing is wrong with belonging to a union.”

Delegate Mamye BaCote (D-Hampton) quoted from Scripture, saying “Love thy neighbor.”

Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) concluded the press conference. “We standing here today believe that Virginians are fair and open-minded and want a Commonwealth that reflects those values. We will work together to improve the environment, support a strong, vibrant, quality, twenty-first century, public education system for all our children, devise and implement a long-term transportation program including a critical component of mass transit and of updated infrastructure, create good-paying jobs and provide all Virginians equal opportunity, justice and fairness.”

Members of the General Assembly continue to join the Progressive Caucus which will be working throughout the year to support and create legislation that upholds their goals and values.

Membership as of 2.23.11 listed below:

The Virginia Progressive Caucus Members

The Honorable Robin A. Abbott
The Honorable Mamye E. BaCote
The Honorable Robert H. Brink
The Honorable Betsy B. Carr
The Honorable Adam P. Ebbin
The Honorable David L. Englin
The Honorable Patrick A. Hope
The Honorable Matthew James
The Honorable Mark L. Keam
The Honorable Kaye Kory
The Honorable Mamie Locke
The Honorable Jennifer L. McClellan
The Honorable A. Donald McEachin
The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn
The Honorable Joseph D. Morrissey
The Honorable Kenneth R. Plum
The Honorable James M. Scott
The Honorable Scott A. Surovell
The Honorable David J. Toscano
The Honorable Roslyn C. Tyler
The Honorable Jeion A. Ward

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Donald McEachin talks about budget's impact on Henrico Schools

2011-02-16T23:49:00.000-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin talks about the impact that Governor McDonnell's proposed budget will have on Henrico County schools.

Senator McEachin's SB747 anti-workplace discrimination bill

2011-02-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin speaks in favor of his SB747, which would eliminate workplace discrimination in the Commonwealth of Virginia's state workplaces. From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Expresses Profound Disappointment
with Defeat of Non-Discrimination Legislation

Richmond- Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) expressed his profound disappointment and dismay with the defeat of his non-discrimination legislation yesterday by a House of Delegates subcommittee. “As witnesses were lined up out the door prepared to testify, as individuals stood in support of the bill, with little discussion, the legislation was defeated on a Party line vote.

“This legislation is very simple. It simply says that state workers will be judged on merit and on job performance, not on other irrelevant characteristics. For Virginia to be competitive, for the Commonwealth to attract and keep the best employees, we owe our workers basic protections and grievance procedures.

“Not that many years ago, in this very Commonwealth, African-Americans were subject o these same prejudices, same insecurities about heir jobs, same subtle and insidious harassment. We codified those protections and that has made a significant difference. If a state employee feels he or she is being judged because of his or her skin color they have avenues to take, procedures to follow and the Commonwealth will respond. Now, is the time to offer these same basic civil rights to other who have been judged not on merit but on characteristics that have absolutely nothing to do with their work performance.

“I commit that I will continue this fight until ALL Virginians have equal justice, opportunity and fairness. Let me also thank all of those who have aided me in this fight. Together, will make the difference,” the Senator concluded.

Sen. Donald McEachin Discusses the Senate's Transportation Bill

2011-02-14T15:52:00.000-05:00

McEachin Lauds Peaceful Approach to Responsible Gun Laws

2011-02-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Senator McEachin Commends and Thanks Senator Jim Webb

2011-02-09T13:42:00.002-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Senator McEachin Commends and Thanks Senator Jim Webb

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin issued this statement about Senator Jim Webb (D- Virginia). "Virginia Democrats and all Virginians are incredibly fortunate that Jim Webb chose to put aside his personal life for over six years to serve Virginians in the United State Senate. This is not the first time Jim Webb has made personal sacrifice for his country. As a matter of fact, his entire adult life has been about service and sacrifice, from his gallant service in Viet Nam to his tenure as Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan to his service as our Senator. Just as in the past, Jim Webb has not been afraid to stand up for what he thinks it's right, regardless of whether it’s popular. His recent groundbreaking work on criminal justice has the potential to change our country for the better. His GI Bill is already changing the lives of our veterans. Jim Webb is the true embodiment of a patriot and I am proud and honored to call him my friend."

SJ 295 Celebrates Kappa Alpha Psi Centennial in Virginia

2011-02-08T09:51:00.003-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin and his fellow Kappa Alpha Psi brothers celebrated an important anniversary in Virginia this year.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 295
Commending Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in Virginia.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 13, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2011

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., an internationally renowned organization founded to promote the achievement and encourage the success of its members throughout their lives, celebrated its centennial anniversary on January 5, 2011; and

WHEREAS, in 1903, nine young men at Indiana University formed the Alpha Kappa Nu Greek Society, the forerunner to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., to strengthen their voice on campus and to unite them in their goals of achievement, high academic and moral standards, and pursuit of higher education and meaningful careers; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5, 1911, by 10 exemplary men?Elder Watson Diggs, Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Ezra Dee Alexander, Henry Tourner Asher, Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Guy Levis Grant, Edward Giles Irvin, and John Milton Lee?who envisioned a brotherhood in which young men of culture, patriotism, and honor would unite in a bond of fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has enriched and positively influenced the lives of its members through its presence on American campuses in 46 states and the District of Columbia and its chapters across the globe in Japan, Korea, Bermuda, the Grand Bahamas, the Republic of Panama, South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Gamma, the first chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., founded in the Commonwealth, was formed on the campus of Virginia Union University on April 9, 1927; and

WHEREAS, since 1927, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has developed a thriving presence in the Commonwealth, which includes 25 collegiate chapters and 19 alumni chapters whose members share the common vision of achievement, scholarship, and brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, distinguished members of the Virginia chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., have exemplified the finest attributes of the fraternal order through their achievements in the fields of business, education, science and engineering, agriculture, journalism, medicine, civil rights, law and politics, religious leadership, social service, and philanthropy; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., graduates and alumni have achieved success and proudly served the public as pediatricians, classical musicians, journalists, farmers, surgeons, psychologists, civil servants, state and federal judges, athletes, ministers, artists, educators, and members of the armed forces; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., remains committed to educating future leaders, encouraging dedication to the community, cultivating a sense of civic pride and engagement, and mentoring young collegians; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., reveres its rich traditions and celebrated history and also looks to the future by pursuing a quest to achieve in every field of human endeavor; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., invited members to gather in Norfolk on January 22, 2011, to celebrate the fraternity?s 100th anniversary and its venerable tradition of raising the sights of its members and encouraging them to their greatest accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Virginia chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on the celebration of their 100th anniversary and their commitment to achievement and leadership in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in Virginia to commemorate the fraternity?s achievements and as an expression of the General Assembly?s best wishes for the fraternity's continued growth and success.

McEachin challenges Governor's anti-Richmond budget

2011-02-04T10:31:00.002-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin took on Governor Bob McDonnell's budget for burdening Richmond taxpayers with more debt while sending the borrowed funds elsewhere:

Senator McEachin Speaks in Support of Hold
Richmond Harmless LCI Budget Amendment

Richmond- Today, at a press conference, Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) spoke of his serious concerns about the governor’s proposed budget. “This budget, proposed by Governor McDonnell, asks us to support significantly more debt. At the same time, we are being asked to harm our schools and our school children because there will be appreciably fewer funds for Richmond. And in the governor’s transportation plan, the Richmond Planning District is dead last.

If Richmond is not held harmless, Richmond schools will have to lay off personnel, increase class sizes and eliminate needed resources. Moreover, the budget the governor has presented will cause public safety lay-offs, all while significantly increasing our debt. Future governors’ hands will be tied because the debt will be so high their choices will be drastically reduced.

Governor McDonnell’s budget is just not Richmond friendly,” Senator McEachin concluded.

Senator McEachin's SB 1122 in the news

2011-01-28T10:41:00.003-05:00

The PilotOnline has coverage of State Senator Donald McEachin's SB1122, a bill to extend health benefits to state workers' same sex partners:

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.

Read "Inching closer to health benefits for state workers' same-sex partners?" at the PilotOnline.com.

You can also view a press conference about non-discrimination legislation before the Virginia General Assembly at youtube.

McEachin and Pollard discuss their environmental legislation

2011-01-27T15:22:00.002-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

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.”

Virginia Legislators Discuss Their Non-Discrimination Bills

2011-01-25T14:28:00.005-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

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.”

Bills to Limit Attorney General's CID Overreach

2011-01-18T16:01:00.002-05:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

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.

Reforming the Foreclosure Process

2011-01-17T17:51:00.004-05:00

From the office of State Senator Donald McEachin:

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."

The Dream

2011-01-17T07:19:00.001-05:00

Senator McEachin's Op-Ed in today's Richmond Times Dispatch

2011-01-16T12:28:00.002-05:00

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.

Read the complete Op-Ed at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Sen. Don McEachin Talks about the Fairness and Justice Act

2011-01-07T12:02:00.000-05:00

Please join us to support Senator Donald McEachin

2010-12-30T14:15:00.003-05:00

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

2010-12-20T15:25:00.002-05:00

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

2010-12-17T12:01:00.001-05:00

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!

2010-12-16T13:00:00.000-05:00

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

2010-12-16T12:45:00.001-05:00

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

2010-12-16T11:11:00.002-05:00

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

2010-12-09T07:48:00.001-05:00

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."

###

DPVA Weekly Update

2010-12-02T21:11:00.002-05:00

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

2010-12-01T18:49:00.002-05:00

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."

# # #

Please sign this petition!

2010-11-16T21:35:00.001-05:00

Greetings!

Last year, as you may know, I introduced legislation to protect Virginia state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace. Although the bill passed the Senate, with every Democrat voting in support of it, it was defeated in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates. As I told you then, I will not give up – ALL Virginians deserve equal opportunity, fairness and justice.

This year I am going to introduce my bill again to protect Virginians from discrimination based on sexual orientation, but I need your help:

I am writing you today to ask you to be a citizen sponsor of my non-discrimination legislation, Senate Bill 747.

I believe that when we show the legislators and the governor the overwhelming support for this bill, we have a chance to make them listen.

My goal is to take the voices of thousands of people with me to the General Assembly, thousands of people who say that Virginians deserve these protections.

Join me in this important battle and become a citizen-sponsor of this critical and necessary legislation.

Click Here to Sign the Petition!

Add your name to the many others who support Senate Bill 747.

Together, we can win this battle. Together, we can ensure that Virginians receive equal protection and fairness.

Please sign today! The General Assembly Session starts in a few short weeks and it is imperative that we get as many citizen-sponsors as possible.

Please forward this message to all your friends and acquaintances who care about fairness.

We want to get the message out so that, together, we can be heard.

Thank you in advance for your help with this very important project.

Please know that I will never give up this fight! I will be there until no Virginian fears discrimination in the workplace because of his or her sexual orientation. With your help, this can be the year that we change Virginia and make it a better and fairer place for all of us. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Donald McEachin

Contact Us
District Office:
Phone: (804) 226-4111
Visit: 4719 Nine Mile Rd., Richmond, VA
Email: sen.mceachin@gmail.com

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"McEachin Interfaith Legislator of the Year"

2010-11-16T08:45:00.002-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Virginia Interfaith Center:

Rev. Doug Smith, the President and CEO of the Virginia Interfaith Center, said, “Senator McEachin is a natural choice for Legislator of the Year because of his strong and relevant voice on issues of economic and environmental justice.”

McEachin, a lawyer and former delegate elected to the senate in 2008, might have had an “in” with the interfaith group from the man upstairs. He’s a preacher—a 2008 graduate of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.

“I only hope I can continue to live up to their faith in me,” he said in a statement.

Congratulations Senator McEachin!

Become a Citizen Sponsor!

2010-11-15T16:41:00.008-05:00

Click Here to Sign the Petition!

Senator McEachin criticizes Glenn Beck's attack on Holocaust survivor

2010-11-13T17:54:00.002-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin had the following to say about a recent attack on a Holocaust survivor by Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck:

When will the people who watch this man see him for who he is? A fear monger. When will the sponsors who sponsor this garbage withdraw their support? Every time this man speaks hate we must respond with condemnation of his words and his actions. Eric Cantor says he will be a check on the President's administration in their dealings with Israel. I say to Eric: here is the guy you need to check.

Glenn Beck has been sharply criticized for his recent attack on Holocaust survivor George Soros. Beck has falsely accused Soros of helping the Nazis send Jews to death camps, of being a Nazi collaborator.

Senator McEachin's letter to Governor McDonnell regarding ABC privatization

2010-11-12T18:24:00.003-05:00

State Senator Donald McEachin sent the following letter to Governor Bob McDOnnell today:

November 11, 2010

Dear Governor McDonnell,

I understand from an article in the Richmond Times Dispatch that you stated you hired The PFM Group, a private outside group, to study the ABC privatization issue to
"make sure people are going to vote solely on policy" instead of "fighting about the numbers."

While I continue to have serious and real trepidations about the fiscal propriety of the proposed plan and whether there will be any significant revenue benefits for the Commonwealth, I would suggest to you, as I stated previously, that there remain other significant considerations that need to be addressed. Based on your statements in the newspaper, I do not believe PFM will be considering these concerns, but I still believe strongly that they are very important and must be resolved before we can and should move forward. I would ask you respectfully to please ensure that these issues are considered and addressed in your final proposal to the General Assembly:

• The social and public safety impacts of significantly expanding the number of licensed liquor vendors in communities across the Commonwealth

• The likelihood than many of these additional vendors will be located near schools and community centers, and in low-income communities

• The increased opportunity for minors to purchase hard liquor from a larger number of vendors, and the additional regulation and enforcement that will be required in order to prevent that from happening

• The impacts of allowing private vendors to promote the sale of hard liquor products in Virginia communities

I was also dismayed that it appeared you doubted the motives of some of us who have questioned the privatization proposal by saying that Senate Democrats who harbor reservations are "flat partisans and a shrill and minority voice" who "just don't want a Republican governor to succeed." Let me assure you that my concerns are not related to partisanship or politics, but rather to a sincere and deep felt concern for my constituents and for all Virginia families. I would hope that, as we move forward, we can work together to find the best resolutions to ensure that we obtain the revenue we desperately need to address our transportation crisis in a way that protects and serves Virginians.

I look forward to continuing to work with you and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seek out new and innovative solutions that save resources and serve the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your service. I remain

Sincerely yours,

Donald McEachin

Senator McEachin's address to the 2010 Annual Virginia Statewide Legal Aid Conference

2010-11-05T09:00:00.004-04:00

Last night, State Senator Donald McEachin delivered the following keynote address to the 2010 Annual Virginia Statewide Legal Aid Conference:

Good evening. Thank you for the very kind introduction. I also want to congratulate the Shumate Award winners, for their advocacy. I know well Mr. Pittman’s impassioned testimony on behalf of his low-income clients and I have certainly heard many compliments and effusive comments about Mr. Allison’s exhibit. Congratulations, gentlemen, this award is well-deserved. I also want to note that I understand that members of Mr. Shumate’s family are in the audience. You can be very proud of Mr. Shumate. He has left quite a legacy. Finally, let me recognize Mr. Botts of Rappahannock Legal Aid who is retiring after 31 years. Thank you, sir, for your commitment, dedication and hard work. Enjoy your retirement..

But, let me take this very first opportunity to thank all of you here tonight. I want you to know how important the work is that you do. Every week, every day, all day, you strive to help those most vulnerable and those who live at the margins. For the vast majority of your clients, you are the last resort. They feel helpless and hopeless, stranded in a system they don’t comprehend and fearful that the only goal of that system is to harass and victimize them. For those people, who have limited or no options, the legal system is one more overwhelming challenge, a challenge that many see as insurmountable. Thanks to your tireless and devoted efforts, they get a guide and a roadmap through that complicated system and, perhaps, a chance to see the opportunity of our jurisprudence.

For an individual without education, for someone for whom English is not their first language, for a mother struggling to raise her children, for a young man caught in the throes of addiction, you are the guide that takes their hands and shows them that there is a way, that the weight of the system can be lifted and that light can exist at the end of a seemingly endless tunnel. Imagine being dropped in a foreign country with no knowledge of the language, culture or society and being expected to find your own way. For many of your clients, the legal system is just that – a foreign country of which they have no understanding, a language they cannot comprehend and a culture that seemingly makes no sense. Your day to day efforts change that and make all the difference and I salute you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In my work in the legislature, I try to tackle many of the same problems that I know you see every day. I take it as my responsibility to do what I can to ensure that our laws lift the burden on those who are most vulnerable and, where possible, offer a figurative hand up to give them a chance to thrive on their own. In these perilous economic times, the challenges sometime seem infinite, but with the great assistance of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, we at the General Assembly are able to help sort through those challenges and attempt to make a difference.

This January, I want to start with the foreclosure crisis. Surely, all of us in America, no matter what political party, no matter what we think of Washington or even Richmond, agree that all Americans should be entitled to a roof over their heads. No one can be expected to function, let alone flourish, without knowing they can count on shelter. And, with that in mind, we all also recognize that the foreclosure crisis is growing, the process for addressing those problems is broken and the consequences for many, many Virginia families are dire. I want to let you know tonight that, with the help of the Poverty Law Center, I am going to introduce legislation to address this crisis and to try and fix the irreparably broken process. Together, we will do everything we can to ensure that all Virginia families have a roof over their heads and that no family can lose its home and find itself out on the street without real safeguards in place.

As many of you know, among the most serious crises facing those of lower income are payday and car title lending. These are issues we have struggled with in the legislature for several years now. Let me be very frank: these folks have strong, well-paid lobbies that energetically pursue legislators and actively and vociferously pursue their case for their clients. We have had many disappointments and setbacks, but I am here to tell you tonight that the payday lending situation, while certainly not eliminated, has improved significantly. My law office is on Nine Mile Road and, for a long time, I would step out my front door and there would be a payday lending operation right across the street, within my view, every time I left my office. I would watch the traffic in and out of that place every day, a visual reminder of the crisis facing us here in the Commonwealth. As I watched men and women of every age, families and seniors go into that building, I was constantly reminded of how payday lending is just another way to take advantage of those who already face almost insurmountable obstacles. Tonight, however, I am very pleased and excited to be able to tell you that the payday lending shop across the street from me is gone, closed its doors and shuttered its business in light of the incremental progress we have made in the Commonwealth. We have not yet eliminated this problem, we have not yet closed every shop but I can assure you the situation is greatly ameliorated and the payday lending crisis significantly abated. And we will keep working at this until no Virginian is victimized by this greedy industry.

Now, we just need to make sure we do the same thing with car title lending. We have just begun that fight and, of course, the other side learned fm our payday lending victories and they have dug in their heels even harder. But we have a group of legislators, from both sides of the aisle, and we, too, are up to this challenge. It may not be this year, or, unfortunately, even next, but you can be assured that the car title industry here in Virginia will go the same way as payday lending.

I am constantly intrigued by how many of the issues you all tackle every day are the same issues we undertake in the legislature. Whether it is domestic violence or affordable housing or even immigration status, as you strive to help your clients, we in the General Assembly debate the best policies for Virginia on those very issues. Please know that your views and experiences on these critical matters are very important to me. I want to be making your lives and those of your clients easier; I want to make their problems less ominous and overwhelming. Working with you, I want to ensure that all Virginians have opportunity, fairness and justice. Please, please feel free to contact me with suggestions for any of these issues or any other concerns you have. I want to be your partner in the legislature, as we share similar concerns and goals for Virginians. Only with your help can I make the kind of difference I want to make and bring the kind of changes we all believe are needed here in the Commonwealth. My door is always open and I very much look forward to hearing from you.

And please know I will never stop fighting for those issues. I believe that is my responsibility in the legislature, to fight for those who feel oppressed, for those for whom the system has failed, for those who have never had a chance, for those who live their lives on the margins. I am there to make a difference for them, to do what I can to ensure they have their piece of the American dream, their opportunity to succeed in this great country of ours, in this Commonwealth that we all love.

Let me conclude tonight by thanking you again for all you do. I truly believe that it is your efforts, day in and day out, that bring us closest to the kind of society we all envision and bring Virginians and Virginia families the kind of relief and opportunity they all deserve. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

Senator McEachin’s Statement on Tuesday's Election

2010-11-04T21:14:00.001-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has released the following statement:

Senator McEachin’s Statement on Tuesday’s Election

Henrico - Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement on last night’s results. Senator McEachin said, “I would first like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks and admiration to three excellent public servants, Congressman Rick Boucher, Congressman Glen Nye and Congressman Tom Perriello. I know all three of these gentlemen personally and I can attest to their commitment and dedication, their love for Virginia and their principles and values in trying to do what they believed was best for their constituents. I wish them well and hope they will continue to be active in the months and years ahead.

“I would like to congratulate those Representatives who were re-elected and to our new Congressmen, two of whom I know from the General Assembly. I wish them well and look forward to working with them.

“Here in Virginia, as we prepare for the next General Assembly Session beginning in January, we remember that the Virginia Democratic Party is about results and improving Virginians’ lives and finding solutions. In the months ahead there is no bigger or more pressing problem than putting Virginians back to work. Virginians are hurting and they are worried about the future. It is our responsibility to address this problem and to ensure that we focus single-mindedly on ensuring the Virginians have the jobs they need and that their fears and concerns for the future are resolved. Virginia has been a leader in this country for four hundred years and we will continue to lead over the next century and into the future.”

“To my fellow Democrats, I know last night was very disappointing and difficult, both in Virginia and around the country. But, don’t despair. We need to continue to work hard, continue to put our values and beliefs in front of the American people and continue to have faith in our representative democracy. America always moves forward and in the next two years, we will have that opportunity for progress and we will take it. We must be hopeful and we must work towards the fulfillment of that hope. In America, one election can wrought great change and just as this election has, the next election can also. This is America and we are most fortunate to be Americans, today, and tomorrow as well as yesterday.”

McEachin condemns racist statement by GOP Official

2010-10-18T18:51:00.003-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has released the following statement:

Senator McEachin Insists the Governor McDonnell,
Lieutenant Governor Bolling and Attorney General Cuccinelli
Repudiate Their Party Official’s Disgusting Racism

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today called on the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General to repudiate the disgusting racism stated by one of their Party leaders. “I will not even demean myself or the honorable citizens of Virginia to repeat the egregious words in the email apparently distributed by the Republican Party chair of Virginia Beach. I would ask the governor, the lieutenant governor and the attorney general, the three statewide leaders of their Party, to not only renounce and reject this vile language but to ask that this individual relinquish his post. For this individual to be a Party leader in an official position of the Republican Party of Virginia says it all. In the absence of such behavior, it is only fair to assume that these three elected officials support such despicable and contemptible behavior. Their absence does and will speak volumes.

"These are perilous economic times and many Americans and Virginians, of all colors, ethnicities and backgrounds find themselves without employment. As they desperately search for a new job and a way to take care of their family, some of them have to turn to the safety net that we have in place for that very reason. To compare these hardworking Virginians to an individual’s dog is insulting not just to any one race, but to all Virginians. These citizens are deserving of our compassion and assistance. They are asking only for a hand up so that they, too, can find a well-paying job to support themselves and their loved ones. I can only hope that our governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general have compassion for those who find themselves unemployed and going through struggle and that they recognize that to mock and demean these people in such a horrific way is totally unacceptable.

"I await the words and actions of Governor McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bulling and Attorney General Cuccinelli. Every minute they don’t respond and repudiate this contemptible email and every minute they do not ask this individual to resign his position sends Virginians a message about their values and their leadership."

We should all be concerned about the decline of the Middle Class

2010-10-18T13:43:00.002-04:00

This is news that should concern all of us, regardless of our political philosophy:

Mainstream values are described as "middle class," as are common tastes and preferences. Economists often state that the middle class is the engine of commerce, and industries from construction to education to consumer electronics rely on a strong middle class -- with large amounts of disposable income -- to build colleges, fill houses and buy Blu-Ray players. But what if this massive engine ground to a halt?

Read the complete article at Daily Finance.

A reception for Senator Donald McEachin

2010-10-14T21:39:00.003-04:00

Our very deepest thanks to Charlie Diradour and Dr. Ann Ritter for their generousity in opening their home to us for this event.

You are invited to a reception!

2010-10-13T14:06:00.001-04:00

Please Join

Mr. Charlie Diradour and Dr. Ann Ritter

At a reception honoring

State Senator A. Donald McEachin

At the Diradour-Ritter home
2206 Monument Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23220

Thursday, October 14, 2010
From 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Host Committee $1500
Benefactor$1000
Sponsor $500
Patron $250
Guest $40
Young Democrat $25

Questions and/or to RSVP: abbieaster@gmail.com

Click here for a printable version of this invitation.

Contributions are not tax deductible.

Authorized and Paid for by A. Donald McEachin for State Senate. Labor donated.

Senator McEachin's statement regarding Chairman Cranwell

2010-10-12T17:07:00.002-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has released the following statement:

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Cranwell for his years of dedicated service, " Senator McEachin said. Chairman Cranwell has served this Party with devotion, with his energy and been a leader for us through good times and bad. Chairman Cranwell reminds us of the best we have to offer, speaking from his heart about Democratic values and ideals. His passion and energy for our Party has served us all well and has been a motivation and inspiration to us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Godspeed, although we know you will never be far from where Democrats are gathered."

Senator McEachin continued, "Some good Virginia Democrats have approached me and encouraged me to run for the chairmanship. I am honored by their confidence in me, but this is not an idea I have previously considered. Out of deference to them, I will certainly ponder this and try to determine if my standing for election to chair is a good step forward for this Party that I love.

"Meanwhile, I encourage folks to make their own decisions and consider running. I look forward to a spirited campaign among the candidates, whoever they will be and encourage them to engage the State Central Committee, the local chairs and Democratic activists at every level. We have important elections coming up, this year and every year through the quadrennial and this is an opportunity for Democrats to determine in which directions they want to go and how they want to get there. This election provides an excellent opportunity for that kind of spirited and important conversation within the Party.

"No matter what decision I make for myself in the next few weeks, I promise my fellow Democrats that I will stay engaged, involved and committed. We must make sure we win our Congressional races, make gains in both the State Senate and the House of Delegates and ensure the re-election of both our Democratic Senator and our Democratic President. Then, of course, we want to make sure we take back the governor's mansion and the other statewide offices to return Virginia to a moderate results oriented government, not one driven by extreme ideology."

McEachin on McDonnell's support of a nullification amendment

2010-10-09T11:32:00.003-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin was quoted in the Richmond Times Dispatch today, responding to Governor Bob McDonnell's support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would provide for a form of nullification.

Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, called McDonnell's commitment to the measure "shortsighted" and said, "I really think of it as an attempt on his part to play to his base."

"There are times when only the federal government will stand up for the rights of minorities," McEachin added, "and for the governor to support what is essentially the nullification of a federal act is poor government and poor governing."

You can read the complete story at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

McEachin on Delegate Lee Ware's position on ABC Privatization

2010-10-07T12:41:00.004-04:00

Powhatan County Courthouse - Powhatan, Virginia

State Senator Donald McEachin had the following to say about State Delegate Lee Ware's statement in opposition to Governor McDonnell's proposed privatization of Virginia's ABC stores: "Lee Ware and I are in agreement on something."

Del. R. Lee Ware Jr. is a political conservative standing on principle in the debate over whether to get Virginia out of the liquor business.

But he's standing on a different principle than Gov. Bob McDonnell, who says the state has no business selling distilled spirits through the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

"The control of the sale of alcoholic beverages is a legitimate function of state government in serving the public good," said David A. Bovenizer IV, spokesman for Ware, R-Powhatan. "Consequently, the free-market assertion regarding privatization of ABC is at best secondary to the common good."

You can read more about opposition to Governor McDonnell's plan in Michael Martz's "McDonnell's ABC plan faces questions in his own party" in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

You are invited to a reception!

2010-10-04T15:42:00.009-04:00

Questions and/or to RSVP: abbieaster@gmail.com

Click here for a printable version of this invitation.

Contributions are not tax deductible.

Authorized and Paid for by A. Donald McEachin for State Senate. Labor donated.

A Target Rich Environment

2010-10-03T16:12:00.001-04:00

Democrats are hitting back against Republican candidates:

One of the ways Democrats have been trying -- with some success -- to blunt the impact of voter anger and frustration with party leaders in Washington is by turning the spotlight on what they see as oddball statements by Republican candidates, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Times says the tactic is working better in some races than others:

- In Delaware, Democrats have delighted in Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell's mention that she once dabbled in witchcraft while appearing on "Politically Incorrect" with Ball Maher in 1999, and backed up her doubts about evolution during another appearance by asking, ""Why aren't monkeys still evolving into humans?"

Read the entire article here.

Visiting with Goochland County Democratic Committee

2010-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

On September 26, 2010, State Senator Donald McEachin visited with Goochland County Democratic Committee during their annual Ice Cream Social.

Senator McEachin introduces Krystal Ball

2010-09-27T23:21:00.001-04:00

On Sunday September 26, 2010, State Senator Donald McEachin introduced congressional candidate Krystal Ball at a fundraiser for Ball in Henrico County, Virginia. McEachin spoke briefly in support of Ball, who is challenging Congressman Rob Wittman in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. Ms. Ball then delivered a rousing stump speech in which she gave an update on the progress of her campaign and laid out her plans for defeating Wittman.

Please visit Krystal Ball's campaign site and show your support by volunteering and/or donating.

Senator McEachin's statement on McDonnell Civil War speech

2010-09-25T19:50:00.003-04:00

State Senator A. Donald McEachin today released this statement in response to the Governor’s speech about the Confederate History Month Proclamation:

"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the governor for his promise about next year’s Civil War month. As someone who has not hesitated to comment when I believed the governor is in error, I want to also praise him when I believe he is right.

"Here in Virginia, we can only truly commemorate and remember the Civil War by honoring the memory of all those who suffered during those horrific times. The Commonwealth that we all love ran red with blood and suffering in those times. Young men on both sides of that confrontation were killed, wounded and maimed here. Civilians, both black and white, free and slave, also suffered and died. The losses here were staggering, not only of family members never to be seen again, but of homes that families had spent years building and creating and, with the loss of those homes and their loved ones, dreams were lost. Those losses were suffered by people of all colors, slave and free.

"Let me thank the governor again for acknowledging this universal suffering and for putting in place the process for us as Virginians to remember this time and to learn from it. As we study this conflagration, let us remember that freedom and liberty are a universal human rights and that we Virginians must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all people are able to live free."

"Opinion: The GOP Doubles Down on Bush's Agenda"

2010-09-24T08:24:00.002-04:00

U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer gives us his take on what the Republicans are offering Americans this November:

Today, congressional Republicans announced their policy agenda -- the direction in which they want to take America. But America got a sneak preview this summer, when the Republican congressional campaign chairman, Rep. Pete Sessions, spelled out his party's plan in a national interview on "Meet the Press," saying, "We need to go back to the exact same agenda" of the Bush administration.

The agenda Republicans announced today contains the exact same Bush policies that led to the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, left the middle class behind while the wealthy accumulated more and more, and exploded our national debt. Across the spectrum, these policies are proven failures for the middle class and for America's security -- and there's no reason to think that this time will be any different.

Read the complete article at aolnews.

Senator McEachin Commends Senator Webb’s National Criminal Justice Commission Act and Urges Its Passage

2010-09-20T14:37:00.002-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Jim Webb's National Criminal Justice Commission Act:

Senator McEachin Commends Senator Webb’s National Criminal Justice Commission Act and Urges Its Passage

Richmond-Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement in support of Senator Jim Webb’s (D-Virginia) National Criminal Justice Commission Act:

“I want to urge the United States Senate to quickly pass Senator Webb’s hallmark legislation that will create a blue ribbon commission to study every aspect of our criminal justice system and will be tasked with finding concrete, usable suggestions to address the serious deficiencies in the system. As we all know, our criminal justice system is in crisis. We have 5% of the world’s population, but 25% of the world’s incarcerated individuals. Moreover, in just the last thirty years, the number of drug offenders who are imprisoned has soared 1200%. Four times as many of our mentally ill are in prisons rather than mental hospitals.

“Perhaps most disturbing, our re-entry programs are haphazard and all too frequently non-existent. This undermines public safety and makes it much more difficult for an ex-offender to succeed outside of prison, raising the recidivism rates and endangering our families and communities.

“I recognize that the best method for reducing the prison population is to have the best public school system, eliminate poverty and provide opportunity and job training. While these solutions may seem apparent, I realize that they are extremely difficult to implement, a situation worsened by our perilous economy. However, Senator Webb’s commission will have the chance to study these sobering statistics, and determine real solutions that can be reasonably executed .

“His bill has had bipartisan support and sponsors in the both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Let me take this opportunity to commend legislators from both sides of the aisle for coming together for this very important legislation and to note that Virginia’s other Senator, Mark Warner, has also signed on as a co-sponsor.

I would also like to commend the many and varied organizations that have taken a lead on supporting this Commission, including almost 100 varied organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Social Workers, the NAACP and many faith based organizations and religious groups. Only by taking this unique opportunity to work together and find real solutions can we address this serious problem. Our families, our children and our neighborhoods will be the true beneficiaries.”

Mark Warner's pig roast

2010-09-11T21:10:00.005-04:00

A beautiful day on the Rappahannock River with lots of old friends.

"Liquor privatization insufficient for transportation"

2010-09-09T21:01:00.002-04:00

This is information that Virginians need to know:

If Mr. McDonnell's calculations are correct, selling off liquor licenses and other assets would produce a one-time windfall of $458 million. That sounds like a substantial sum -- but it is paltry compared to the state's annual unmet needs for transportation. It would be a onetime gain, when the state needs a steady stream of new revenue. To put it in some perspective, $458 million doesn't even begin to cover the cost of maintaining Virginia's roads for six months, let alone constructing new ones.

You can read the rest of the article at The Washington Post.

Senator McEachin's response to McDonnell's ABC Privatization Plan

2010-09-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin released the following statement regarding Governor Bob McDonnell's plan to give Virginia's ABC Stores to McDonnell's supporters for a song:

I appreciate the governor releasing his plan so that we will have the time and opportunity to study it. I have, however, some questions that I very much believe need to be addressed. The governor has said repeatedly that we cannot raise taxes, that tax increases are a job and economy killer. So, I would ask him, how and why, in these extremely perilous economic times, he would consider raising taxes on small business, the engine of job creation here in the Commonwealth and in the country. I would ask him to address how and why he would consider raising taxes on the backs of those mom and pop businesses that create 80% of the jobs which are so desperately needed in this economy.

Moreover, I am troubled by the idea of issuing 1,000 licenses. As we can well surmise, this number of licenses means there will be an inordinate number of stores selling hard liquor. These stores could end up across the street from a local high school, or next door to the ball fields or in other places where our underage youth will find uncommon temptation. I also fear that too many of these new stores will end up in low income neighborhoods, taking advantage of those who already struggle, those who are most vulnerable and those who can't make ends meet. Those are the very individuals, suffering without jobs and without a secure future, who will find themselves turning to alcohol which could now be all too available on every block in their community.

I would hope these questions can be addressed as we move forward and as we all continue to study the governor's proposal.

Watch "Jan Brewer's Dismal Debate Performance"

2010-09-06T19:35:00.005-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin: "Wow . . . I encourage you to watch both videos."

Read more about Jan Brewer's dismal performance at AOL News.

An incumbent Governor who won't debate?

2010-09-04T09:57:00.000-04:00

An incumbent Governor who won't debate anymore...one and she is done?

Incumbent Republican Jan Brewer said Thursday she has no intention of participating in any more events with Democrat Terry Goddard. She said the only reason she debated him on Wednesday is she had to to qualify for more than $1.7 million in public funds for her campaign.

I don't believe that things come out in proper context in an adversarial atmosphere," she said. And Brewer said she is available for interviews.

So she did it just so she could get public funds for her campaign? Amazing.

You can read the entire article at the Washington Post.

Will Glenn Beck sit down with Jim Wallis?

2010-09-02T16:40:00.004-04:00

Jim Wallis is a bestselling author, public theologian, speaker, and international commentator on ethics and public life, and he has been the target of attacks by Glenn Beck. In a recent blog post, Wallis asks Glenn Beck to sit down for some dialogue:

I think we got off on the wrong foot. I listened to your speech last Saturday and heard a lot of things that we agree on. In fact, I have used some of the same language of our need to turn to God, and the values of “faith, hope, and charity” (love). What I would like to find out, and others would too, is what you mean by that language. Until last weekend, you have consistently described yourself primarily as an entertainer, and the public has known you as a talk show host. But last Saturday, you sounded more like an evangelist or revivalist on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I know we disagree significantly on many issues of public policy, but you said that people can disagree on politics and still agree on basic values and try to come together. Maybe we should test that. Instead of my being up on your blackboard and a regular target of your show’s rhetoric, why don’t we finally have that civil dialogue I invited you to months ago? Your speech on the Mall suggested and even promised a change of heart on your part, so why don’t we talk?

You can read the rest of Wallis' open letter to Glenn Beck by clicking here.

Is Cuccinelli holding town halls or political rallies?

2010-08-31T08:59:00.002-04:00

Ken Cuccinelli is planning two political rallies, but he's calling them "town halls" so Virginia tax payers will have to foot the bill. What do you think? The Roanoke Times has an editorial you should read:

Ahem, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli: If we might trouble you a moment, we'd like your opinion on a matter of grave concern to Virginians. We understand you aren't obligated to answer common citizens' questions, but you've been more than pleased lately to plunge right into controversial matters. No shirking opinions for you.

So we were wondering: What's your opinion of a state employee using his position and the people's funds to further his and his allies' political campaigns? We ask this because we noticed a certain high-placed elected official (we won't name names here, but feel free to insert your own) is planning to host two town meetings on Thursday in vigorously contested congressional districts where his party hopes to oust the incumbents.

You can read the rest of the editorial at The Roanoke Times.

Senator McEachin Commends Ruling on Cuccinelli Demands on University of Virginia Professor

2010-08-30T15:18:00.003-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin issued the following statement today:

Richmond – Today, in response to the Judge's ruling on Attorney General Cuccinelli's campaign against Professor Michael Mann, Senator McEachin applauded the judge's decision. "I am pleased to see that our system of laws and checks and balances has, once again, protected individuals from the over reach of figures in power. Attorney General Cuccinelli's crusade has effectively been terminated by the court. The judge has ruled that the Attorney General failed to make a persuasive argument. Apparently the courts recognize what the majority of sensible Virginians recognize: that individuals at our academic institutions should be allowed to conduct research and that, even more important, the attorney general should not be attempting to use his office and his power to intimidate those who disagree with him on policy issues.

"I continue to have faith that our justice system will continue to protect individuals and organizations from the overreach of the attorney general and from his relentless pursuit of ideology at the expense of our rights and liberties," Senator McEachin concluded.

Tom Periello and the 22nd Annual Albemarle County Democratic BBQ

2010-08-30T09:30:00.000-04:00

Senator Donald McEachin attended the 22nd Annual Albemarle County Democratic BBQ at Claudius Crozet Park. It was a great party with hundreds in attendance! Congratulations to Valerie L'Herrou and the other members of the Albemarle County Democratic Committee on hosting such a fantastic event!

Speakers included U.S. Senator Mark Warner, State Senator Creigh Deeds, and Congressman Bob Filner from San Diego, California introduced Congressman Tom Perriello, who gave a rousing speech. State Senator McEachin closed out the speeches with an exhortation to the assembled Democrats to get out and pound the pavement on behalf of Congressman Perriello, who is in a close race for re-election this year.

Sign up to volunteer for Congressman Tom Perriello at his website.

Senator McEachin at the Virginia Partisans Annual PAC fundraiser

2010-08-29T20:15:00.001-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin attended the Virginia Partisans Annual PAC fundraiser at Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia. It was a good time with great food by Freddie and lots of old and new friends.

If you missed the event, but would like to make a donation to the Virginia Partisans, you can go to their ActBlue event page to make a donation:

http://www.actblue.com/page/vapartisansbbq

Or you can send a check made out to "Virginia Partisans PAC" to:

Virginia Partisans
P.O. Box 3266
Merrifield, VA 22116-3266

More than half of all Americans oppose the Tea Party

2010-08-26T23:18:00.002-04:00

More than half of all Americans polled opposed the Tea Party:

Nearly three in 10 Americans say they are supporters of the Tea Party, according to a new survey, while more than half the respondents say they hold negative opinions of the conservative grassroots movement.

A CBS News Poll released Thursday found 29 percent of those asked considered themselves Tea Party supporters and 54 percent did not. Fully 17 percent had no opinion either way.

Read the rest of the article at Politics Daily.

Senator McEachin responds to Anita Kumar's "Senator McEachin for governor in 2013?"

2010-08-26T15:05:00.002-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin responded to an article on the Washington Post's website by Anita Kumar entitled "Senator McEachin for governor in 2013?" In a comment to the article, later quoted at the Blue Virginia blog McEachin said:

Anita, I am not running for Governor. As Vice Chair for Outreach for the Democratic Party, I AM campaigning for and energizing Virginans about our Congressional candidates. As a member of State Senate I AM preparing for the upcoming session and next year's elections by trying to be the best State Senator I can be. There are a myriad of issues to think about and discuss with the people of Virginia. When you see me do these things, please know that I do them with a deep and abiding love for Virginia and her people. Please know that I do these things because the "fierce urgency of now" demands action. Tomorrow, including 2013, will take care of itself.

Donald

You can read more of the reactions to Kumar's article at Blue Virginia.

Kumar: "Senator McEachin for governor in 2013?"

2010-08-26T14:54:00.003-04:00

The Washington Post's Anita Kumar explores the possibility that Senator Donald McEachin could seek statwide office in 2013:

McEachin said in an interview that he's focused on helping out in the 2010 elections and preparing for the 2011 legislative session. He said he plans to run for re-election in 2011.

"I have no idea right now what I might do," he said.

McEachin ran for attorney general in 2001 but lost to Republican Jerry Kilgore. He's been a frequent and vocal critical of Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell this year.

You can read the rest of this article at The Washington Post.

Senator McEachin to attend the 22nd Annual Albemarle County Democratic BBQ on August 28th

2010-08-24T15:45:00.002-04:00

Senator Donald McEachin will join the Albemarle County Democratic Committee on Saturday, August 28th, 3-6:30 PM at Claudius Crozet Park for the 22nd Annual Albemarle County Democratic BBQ.

Speakers include U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and state senators Creigh Deeds and Donald McEachin, along with your Democratic neighbors and Congressman Tom Perriello as the ACDP puts the "party" into Party and hosts its annual BBQ extravaganza at Claudius Crozet Park.

This is the Albemarle County Democratic event of the season, so buy your ticket now and save! Click on the ActBlue link to purchase your tickets online now.

$25 in advance, $30 at the door
$5 for children ages 5-16, under 5 are free
www.actblue.com/page/albemarlebbq

Senator McEachin to attend Virginia Partisans' 2010 Annual PAC Fundraiser BBQ on August 28th

2010-08-24T15:35:00.000-04:00

Join us at Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant this Saturday, August 28th for the Virginia Partisans Annual PAC fundraiser! All proceeds will be directed to our PAC and used to fund the campaign contributions we make to our endorsed candidates for office in Virginia.

Come schmooze with many of our local elected officials and LGBT Democrats as we kick off the Fall Campaign!!

August 28th 1-4PM
Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant
555 South 23rd Street
Arlington, VA

Full BBQ Buffet, Drinks, door prizes provided with admission.

Special Guest Speakers:
Senator Donald McEachin (VA-9th) & Congressman Jim Moran (VA CD-8th)

TICKETS:
General Admission tickets $40
Discounted (under age 25, over 65) $20
Host Committee Levels
Sponsor $100
Patron $250
Benefactor $500
President's Club $1000
Chairman's Club $2000
Go to our ActBlue event page to make a donation or buy tickets:
http://www.actblue.com/page/vapartisansbbq

Paying by check?? Accepted at the door or mail check made out to "Virginia Partisans PAC" to:

Virginia Partisans
PO Box 3266
Merrifield, VA 22116-3266

Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis: Federal Aid helped balance Virginia's budget

2010-08-19T11:02:00.003-04:00

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis points out that without Federal Aid, Virginia would not have had a balanced budget.

Gov. Bob McDonnell decries rising federal spending, but a handout from Washington is helping him balance Virginia's cash-strapped budget, a fiscal think tank says.

If not for $2.5 billion from President Barack Obama's economic-stimulus program, the state's shortfall would have swelled from more than $4 billion to nearly $5.5 billion, according to the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.

You can read the complete article at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

More on the so called "surplus"

2010-08-17T21:52:00.002-04:00

The Washington Post has additional commentary from Senator Donald McEachin regarding the "surplus" announced by the McDonnell administration:

Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) said he does not consider this week's announcement a reason to celebrate.

"This is not a surplus,'' he said. "We balanced our budget on the backs of schoolchildren and those who need mental-health care."

McEachin encouraged McDonnell to use the funds to reverse some of the massive cuts to education and mental health or make payments to the Virginia Retirement System for public employees.

Read the entire article at The Washington Post.

Senator Donald McEachin comments on state "surplus"

2010-08-17T19:23:00.003-04:00

From NBC 12:

It came by cutting jobs and programs while reducing money given out to education and public safety. Critics wonder, now, if all that was lost, are they coming back? But that's not likely.

"When I hear the word surplus, I assume that we've met all of our unmet needs, and clearly we haven't done that in Virginia," said Sen. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico).

Virginia started the year several billion dollars in deficit, and still, is coming up short - just not as badly as predicted.

* * *

"I think the overarching problem is we do not have the political will to raise revenue," McEachin said, referencing the idea of raising the gasoline tax, or freezing car tax relief.

Read the complete transcript here.

Richmond Times Dispatch: "Baby boomers in shaky retirement position"

2010-08-15T15:30:00.002-04:00

A word of caution to all those in my generation (i.e. those of us old enough to remember green stamps):

Fifty-somethings Ronald and Julia Maupin know just how it feels to be sandwich boomers, taking care of boomerang children and aging parents.

For three years, the Amelia couple shared their home with an adult son who returned home.

Now they share a different home with Ronald's 81-year-old mother, who moved into the mother-in-law suite attached to the house.

Read the entire article at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Schapiro: "Governor seeing pink elephants in booze gambit?"

2010-08-15T11:54:00.004-04:00

Jeff Schapiro has a column in today's Richmond Times Dispatch entitled "Governor seeing pink elephants in booze gambit?":

Lobbyists look for clues about the direction of an issue much the same way others do: by listening to what people are saying, noting who's saying it and when and where it's said.

That was the case in Norfolk this past week at the latest group gab by Bob McDonnell on ways to cut the size and cost of government, including selling the liquor monopoly.

Only two people spoke about that idea -- one in favor of it, the other opposed.

You can read the entire column at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

What are your thoughts?

"The Republican war on the Constitution"

2010-08-08T23:50:00.003-04:00

This article by Robert Shrum in The Week is a good read:

It is the party of Lincoln no more.

As part of a crass strategy to appeal to anti-immigrant paranoia and racism, Republican leaders are now assaulting the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The Amendment, which was passed after Lincoln’s death, ratified his life’s work. Republicans propose to repeal its guarantee of citizenship as a birthright, and while the impetus for this assault on constitutional principle comes from the GOP’s tea-intoxicated fringe, it has been seconded by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. John McCain, and Sen. Lindsey Graham. In today’s GOP, the few with loose morals vie to lead the many with loose marbles.

Read the entire article at The Week.

McEachin and McDonnell debate nullification

2010-08-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Governor Bob McDonnell and Senator Donald McEachin held a proxy debate about the merits of nullification in dueling quotes given to the Richmond Times Dispatch's Olympia Meola. McDonnell went first:

“I have not looked at nullification in a very, very long time so I can’t really comment on that at this point, but I do think that we’ve got to find ways,” he said. “Mr. Jefferson says the government closest to the people governs best, well that’s the local government and the state government.”

Senator McEachin responded:

“Like every other elected official, Governor McDonnell took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and all the articles and clauses within that document,” he said.

“Nullification is not legal and declining to respond is not acceptable. I expect our governor to uphold the law and the Constitution and to refute unconstitutional and illegal drivel when he hears it.”

Meola rightly notes that the concept of nullification carries a lot of historical baggage. Not only was nullification used to justify secessionism, but--as Meola writes--it was also used to justify Massive Resistance to school integration. Read Meola's article at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Senator McEachin Reminds the Governor that Nullification has been Deemed Unconstitutional

2010-08-05T17:37:00.001-04:00

From State Senator Donald McEachin:

Richmond – Today, Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) responded to Governor McDonnell’s comments in Roanoke yesterday (as quoted by the Roanoke Times) that he “declined” to express an opinion on the legitimacy of nullification. Senator McEachin said, “I am extremely dismayed and concerned that our governor has apparently neglected to review recent American history or leading Supreme Court cases. Not even sixty years ago, in a response to attempts to ignore Brown v. Board of Education in which African-American children were first given the opportunity for an equal integrated education with white children, the Supreme Court ruled on Cooper v. Aaron. In this extremely significant case, the Court ruled that because the Supremacy Clause of Article VI made the United States Constitution the Supreme law of the land and Marbury v. Madison gave the Supreme Court the final power of judicial review, then all states are bound by federal law and bound by Supreme Court decisions.

“But even if the Governor has forgotten these Constitutional law principles, he should surely recall the amount of blood spilled, families and homes decimated and young men killed the last time states made foolish decisions based on nullification. Surely, as governor of Virginia which is criss-crossed with battlefields and graveyards of those who died fighting in that war and those who died trying to protect their homes and families and the numbers of slaves and free blacks who died trying to protect their loved ones and their few and meager possessions, he should know that no good can come of this kind of foolish and dangerous talk.

“We are Americans, proud to be part of the greatest democracy on earth, and if we disagree we have legal, political and legislative means to resolve those disagreements. Living in a democracy means that if we don’t like what is happening we will have an election and we can peaceably, within our Constitutional procedures and rights, address those grievances.

“Finally, like every other elected official, Governor McDonnell took an oath to uphold the US Constitution and all the Articles and clauses within that document. Nullification is not legal and declining to respond is not acceptable. I expect our governor to uphold the law and the Constitution and to refute unconstitutional and illegal drivel when he hears it.”

# # #

Senator McEachin on Cuccinelli's immigration opinion

2010-08-03T13:12:00.003-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin has been quoted on The Rachel Maddow Show's blog regarding Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's recent immigration opinion:

The local press makes less note of what spurred Cuccinelli to issue that opinion in the first place. The AG was responding to a request from Del. Bob Marshall, a Republican from Prince William County. Marshall is the same guy who suggested disabled kids are divine retribution for abortion. And Prince William County is where the Federation for American Immigration Reform worked to get an anti-immigration ordinance in 2007. Now FAIR is pushing for a state-level bill.

State Sen. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) tells us he expects to see one proposed as early as December. "The question is will we be prepared to defend against it," he said.

McEachin says officials from U.S. Customs and Enforcement -- ICE -- sought a meeting with Democratic lawmakers in Virginia last month to start thinking about that very question. "Virginia's right in Washington, D.C.'s backyard," he says. "They read the same newspapers we do."

Read the complete post at The Rachel Maddow Show's blog.

Senator McEachin Counters Delegate Gilbert’s Remarks About the Chesapeake Bay

2010-08-02T22:22:00.007-04:00

State Senator Donald McEachin's office released the following statement today:

Senator McEachin Counters Delegate Gilbert’s
Remarks About the Chesapeake Bay

Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today released this statement countering Delegate Todd’s remarks about the Chesapeake Bay over the past weekend. Senator McEachin said, “I was dismayed to hear that yet another Republican has joined the Republican efforts to turn back the clock and not do what is critically necessary to protect the Chesapeake Bay. This time it’s Delegate Todd Gilbert who is doing his best to create misplaced fear with false accusations. Just this past weekend he told a group of young farmers that attempts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay are really a conspiracy of “urban” legislators to take farms away and destroy farmers’ “heritage.”

“This is, of course, utter nonsense. Cleaning up the Bay will protect farmers by ensuring they have a clean water source for their crops. Moreover, a clean Chesapeake Bay will protect other critical jobs here in the Commonwealth. Watermen need a clean Bay for their fishing businesses to prosper. Tourism depends on access to clean unpolluted waters.”

Senator McEachin continued, “Pollution in the Bay comes from numerous sources including subdivision runoff, and large “point-source” polluters such as power plants. No legislator has tried to implicate farmers as the primary perpetrators. Delegate Gilbert is attempting to do what Republican politicians like him often try to do – scare people to distract them from the important issue, in this case, ensuring that Virginians and their families have access to a clean and unpolluted Chesapeake Bay.

“And we await Governor Bob McDonnell’s position. Does he accept the huge amount of scientific evidence for climate change or doesn’t he? Does he want to clean up the Chesapeake Bay or doesn’t he? Is he waiting for a poll to reveal his position to him? Delegate Gilbert seems to think that Governor McDonnell is in favor of allowing continued pollution of the Bay. I call on the Governor to demonstrate leadership, acknowledge the facts and ensure that the Bay is maintained for future generations.

“It’s time for Virginia Republicans to stop railing against the facts and against the needs of the Commonwealth. As EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said, ‘A better solution would be to join the vast majority of the American people who want to see more green jobs, more clean energy innovation, and an end to the oil addiction that pollutes our planet and jeopardizes our national security.’"

The Senator concluded, “Virginia Republican leaders need to stop playing politics with our future and our children’s and grandchildren’s future. Let’s create jobs by finding real solutions to address the problems of pollution and climate change right here in the Commonwealth rather than engaging in inaccurate and unnecessary accusations.”

Senator McEachin’s statement comes on the heels of the recent EPA formally rejection of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s misguided attempt to deny the existence of climate change.

Cantor criticized for financial sector donations

2010-07-30T11:28:00.004-04:00

From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

A public watchdog group has accused Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th, of accepting major donations from the financial sector after questioning President Barack Obama's relationship to the financial industry.

Public Campaign reported that Cantor received more than $460,000 in the second quarter from the financial sector, including Goldman Sachs and Bank of America.

Read the entire article here.

You can visit Public Campaign here.

Senator McEachin comments on Tea Party convention in Richmond

2010-07-28T22:46:00.003-04:00

When asked for his reaction to news that a Tea Party convention was planned for Richmond, Virginia, Senator Donald McEachin had the following response:

Said state Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico: "They have a right to speak their piece and I have a right to disagree with what they say, and I just hope they conduct themselves in a manner befitting Americans."

You can read the entire article at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Senator McEachin on being an Eagle Scout

2010-07-26T18:45:00.004-04:00

The Richmond Times Dispatch has an article about eagle scouts, and Senator Donald McEachin talks about his experience as an eagle scout:

"Once an Eagle, always an Eagle," said state Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, who became an Eagle as a member of a troop at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in North Richmond in the 1970s.

"I think any time you reach a goal, you have a sense of satisfaction," said McEachin. "That's probably doubly so attaining the rank of Eagle."

Scouting, in general, "prepares you for life," he said. The step-by-step achievements required to earn Eagle merely enrich that preparation.

"There's no doubt many of the experiences I had in Scouting in dealing with a large group of people with different personalities certainly serves me well in elected office," he said.

Read the entire article here.

Senator McEachin comments on Jim Webb's op-ed

2010-07-23T15:08:00.003-04:00

Senator Donald McEachin has released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Jim Webb's op-ed in yesterday's Wall Street Journal:

I applaud Senator Webb's thought provoking op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal that reaffirms his support of needed affirmative action programs. Poverty and inequality know no boundary, whether it is geography, gender, race, age or disability. We need to provide opportunities so all those individuals can become productive, constructive members of society.

You can read Webb's op-ed at the Wall Street Journal.

Interesting Reading

2010-07-22T20:36:00.002-04:00

From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Gov. Bob McDonnell has a mixed favorability rating among Virginians, according to a new poll by Virginia Commonwealth University.

Of the 810 adults surveyed, 10 percent rated McDonnell's job as governor as excellent, 30 percent as good, 34 percent as fair and 10 percent as poor.

It's the first independent poll aiming to capture the governor's approval rating since he took office in January. A poll commissioned in June by his political action committee, Opportunity Virginia, pegged his approval rating at 63 percent.

In the VCU poll, 47 percent of those surveyed said the state is headed in the right direction, 37 percent said it's on the wrong track and the remaining 16 percent had no opinion.

Read the entire article here.

"Never Surrender"

2010-07-22T15:46:00.000-04:00

Fired Up and Ready to Go!

Senator McEachin on the extension of unemployment benefits

2010-07-22T10:20:00.004-04:00

I want to take this opportunity to commend Congress for their recent efforts to extend unemployment insurance benefits. I strongly support policies aimed at ending the current economic crisis and providing economic security for all Americans. It is critically important to provide assistance to those millions of Americans whose unemployment insurance has run out and who continue to struggle to find work. We need it do what we can to support these individuals so they can pay their bills and take care of their families. I am very pleased the Democrats in Congress persisted until this worth effort was accomplished.

McEachin meets with Malek before Reform Commission meeting

2010-07-20T12:23:00.004-04:00

Fred Malek met with Senator Donald McEachin yesterday in advance of today's meeting of the McDonnell's reform commission. Senator McEachin has been the most tenacious watchdog of the governor's choice to lead this effort.

Fred Malek, the chairman of Gov. Bob McDonnell's government reform commission, met yesterday with one of the most vocal critics of his service on the panel.

Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, was among several people that Malek had face time with yesterday in advance of the full commission's second meeting, set for this morning in Richmond.

* * *

Democrats have hammered McDonnell over Malek's appointment as chairman of the panel because of Malek's work in 1971 to create a list of Jews in a federal government agency at the request of the Nixon White House. They also have cited a separate case, in 2004, when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the Northern Virginia businessman to pay a sixfigure civil penalty.

McEachin had blasted McDonnell for keeping Malek in light of that penalty. But McEachin said the meeting yesterday with Malek in McEachin's legislative office was civil, and that the past did not come up. They focused on the commission's work, he said.

"Since he asked for the meeting, I pretty much came in there with an open mind to see what he wants to talk about," McEachin said. "At this point, the end product is what I think I will be focused on and what most folks should be focused on."

Read the entire article here.

McEachin comments on state budget "surplus"

2010-07-19T13:07:00.000-04:00

Republican Governor Bob McDonnell is claiming success after reporting a $220 million "surplus" from the state's budget this year. State Senator Donald McEachin respectfully disagrees.

"It's hard for me to view this as a true surplus when there are so many unmet needs," said Senator Don McEachin (D-Henrico).

What Senator McEachin is getting at is that McDonnell's "success" rests upon a foundation created by the state's failure to meet the basic needs of its citizens.

You can read the entire story here.