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WTVR, CBS 6
May 13, 2012
A Richmond prosecutor is being challenged as a judicial nominee, because of his advocacy for gay rights.
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Delegate Bob Marshall said he will seek to remove the name of Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland from a list of proposed District Court judicial appointments.
“I don’t even think it’s proper to put his name forward because of his behavior,” said Marshall, who called Thorne-Begland “a homosexual activist,” in a press release.
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"I think it’s unfortunate", said Democratic Senator Donald McEachin. ”Tracy fought for this country.”
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“Bob just has a phobia…that’s the real problem,” said McEachin.
McEachin went on to say Thorne-Begland is no different from the other nominees.
“Everyone has a background who comes onto the bench, but, we select judges to be able to put aside their backgrounds, to put aside whatever personal passions they have to be a judge,” said McEachin.
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Henrico— Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today commended President Obama on his stance in favor of marriage equality. Senator McEachin said, “I very much appreciate the president recognizing the importance of all Americans having the opportunity to marry the person they love. One of the key values of our democracy must be to ensure all Americans have the equal opportunity, justice and fairness. This is one more component of enacting our principles and ensuring we live by the words of our Declaration of Independence.
“From the state whose mistakes led to the landmark case of Loving v. Virginia, let me be among the first to thank the president for realizing that it needn’t take the wrenching apart of couples and a Supreme Court case for us to do what is right.
“Thank you, President Obama, and I look forward to working with you over the next four years to ensure we make our mutual goals a reality,” Senator McEachin concluded. |
Democrats voted yesterday to block the passage of the state Senate's budget bill, while the House version passed with bipartisan support.
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From the Senate Democratic Caucus
Embarrassed Republican Senators Split By Infighting
Acknowledging that their divisive social agenda has been resoundingly rejected—not only in Virginia but nationwide—Republicans joined Senate Democrats to defeat HB 1, the "personhood" bill.
In the face of national ridicule, Republicans in Virginia have suffered another defeat. On the heels of the Republican cave on Senate Bill 484, which would have mandated intrusive ultrasounds before abortions, and had been ridiculed by the media around the globe, Republicans suspended the normal Senate rules to ensure that HB 1 was quickly dealt with. Senate Republicans are obviously hoping to avoid more embarrassing national media coverage.
"I hope these guys get the message and stop trying repeal the 20th century. I'm tired of Virginia being compared to Mississippi. This kind of legislation is making our state a national embarrassment," said Senator Richard L. Saslaw.
Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) said, "We are obviously relieved we have stalled the for now, but we should recognize that the Republicans can always bring the bill back up, so we must remain vigilant—their war against women isn't going away.
"I'm disappointed that the Republicans circumvented normal Senate procedure to get rid of this bill. I'm disappointed, but not surprised, because Republican Senators are ashamed of the way they have been treating women, and they should be ashamed," Senator McEachin added.
House Bill 1 was sent back to the Education and Health committee on a vote of 24 to 14, and passed by for the year. |
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In light of the Governor's release of his letter to Senators Saslaw and McEachin to the public they are releasing their response to the Governor to the public as well. A signed copy of this letter was hand delivered to the Governor's office at 2:45pm this afternoon. The text of the letter follows, and a PDF is attached to this message.
February 15, 2012
VIA HAND DELIVERY
The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell
Patrick Henry Building
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Dear Governor McDonnell,
Thank you for your kind note of yesterday. We are eager to work together, whenever possible, to accomplish the goals of the commonwealth and to ensure Virginians’ needs are met. However, I would like to emphasize that our concerns about the budget are not partisan, but substantive. We are eager to support a budget that offers real transportation solutions, returns money to classrooms and students, and does not harm the safety net.
Immediately after the election, when we could have and should have been coming together, you and the rest of your party engaged in harsh partisan rhetoric. Therefore, I find your concerns about partisanship to be rather ironic. Further, your release of your letter without waiting even twenty-four hours for a response smacks of gamesmanship and not of an effort to resolve our differences. In light of the release of your letter to the press, we are releasing our letter as well.
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Read more... [Senators Saslaw and McEachin: "Budget must include all Virginians]
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