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The Republican take over of the General Assembly seems to be leading to a discernible pattern of discrimination. Discrimination, that is, against those with less income. Whether it is making it more difficult to vote or requiring parenting classes or now subjecting those who receive assistance to drug testing, the party in charge is making a statement that those who earn less are somehow less capable, less worthy and even less equal.
Legislation now working its way through the House and Senate would require recipients of the government program Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF to undergo drug testing. In other words, simply because these families have lower incomes they would be singled out for scrutiny and punitive actions. The justification for this unfair measure is that these people are receiving a government ?hand-out.? If that is the criteria for drug testing, then the state should be considering instituting drug screenings for those who receive Tuition Assistance Grants and other academic support. Moreover, many corporations in the Commonwealth, particularly the coal industry, receive governmental subsidies. Perhaps we should be drug testing the CEOs and other management personnel from those corporations. Government largesse is widespread in Virginia and the nation. Were that the sole criteria for mandating drug screenings, many, many Virginians would be subject to them prior to receiving government funds.
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Read more... [Less Capable, Less Worthy, Less Equal]
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Associated Press
January 30, 2012
Sen. Donald McEachin of Henrico County and Del. David Englin of Alexandria outlined their proposals Monday at a news conference in Richmond.
McEachin said pollution from the state's electric utilities result in illnesses and premature death.
Proponents cited a study by the Clean Air Task Force that links 647 premature deaths annually to fine particulate pollution from Virginia power plants.
McEachin and Engliln said the State Corporation Commission does not consider public health impacts when it reviews permit applications for new or modified power plants.
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Richmond Times-Dispatch
January 13, 2012
Virginia Democrats on Thursday went on the offensive against legislation they say threatens to undermine a woman's right to choose an abortion or even birth control.
"Their assault on reproductive rights is a central part of their legislative agenda," he added, citing a survey that he said indicates six out of 10 Virginians oppose personhood bills.
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Richmond Times Dispatch
November 18, 2011
Newly elected Senate Democratic caucus chairman A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, said today that the state's Constitution makes it clear that the chamber's re-organization each session "is the prerogative of the elected members of the Senate" adding that "Bolling is not a member of the Senate."
...McEachin took the place of Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, who is retiring, as caucus chairman.
McEachin noted that the only other time the Senate was evenly split was in 1996, when power was shared between the two parties. "We see no reason why it should be different now," McEachin said.
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