Democrats vs. Republicans: The Battle of Values
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“The law is a civil guide to moral behavior — especially for the un-churched, who have no other guide.” (Rakazzi)
“Eternal vigilance is the price we must pay to protect Life and Liberty and to advance Virtue in the culture and in the public square.” (Rakazzi)
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High Noon in the GA: One More Half to Go
The VA General Assembly observed Crossover this week, marking the halfway point of its 60-day session. Therefore, bills passed by one chamber have now “crossed over” to the other chamber for final action by the close of session on March 12.
The clock is ticking, and the pace quickens.
The Crossover Report: Good News, Bad News
During this first half, the Forum joined other “Values” groups and grassroots activists across the Commonwealth in asking many legislators for their help on the priority bills listed below.
The Good News is that nine of the 16 “Values” bills we support are still alive, having passed either the House or the Senate — or both. That includes a “Right to Work” bill sponsored by Del. Dickie Bell that we’ve added at No. 16 below. They are all marked in green.
The Bad News is that seven of these priority bills were rejected by the House — including four Pro-Life bills that did not even receive a vote! These bills should have passed, especially since Republicans who claim to be “pro-life” hold a 66-34 edge over pro-abortion Democrats. They are all marked in red.
In addition, as we reported last week, the Senate approved two of the “Bad” bills at the hands of all 19 Democrats and with the help of six “wobbly” Republicans. That too is disappointing. Thankfully, both bills have already been rejected by the House.
Call for Action
Against this background, and with only three weeks left before adjournment, the Forum will continue to ask targeted legislators for their help on specific bills.
You can also follow all of the bills listed below by clicking on http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/ and entering the number of the bill you are interested in.
Thank you for your support, and please stay tuned, for Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom. We won’t give up, we won’t give in, and we won’t quit until we win!
Dean
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— Sixteen Bills We Support —
1. Life at Conception Resolution (HJ 29 and HR 19, R. Marshall). Recognizes scientific evidence that life of human person begins at conception, aka “fertilization”. (Died in House)
2. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HB 963, LaRock). Prohibits abortion after 20 weeks except to save the life of the mother. (Held Over to 2017)
3. Criminal Charges for Abuse and Neglect of Children, including a Viable Fetus (HB 556; LaRock). Defines “viable fetus” within meaning of “child” for this purpose. (Died in House)
4. Disposition of Fetal Remains (HB 970, LaRock). Requires abortion providers to dispose of fetal remains by burial or cremation. Violators can be charged with Class 4 felony. (Died in House)
5. Funds Related to Abortions and Family Planning Services (HB 1090, Cline). Prohibits funds to all entities that perform abortions and prioritizes funding for other health care providers. (Passed House 64-35)
6. Government Non-Discrimination Act (HB 773, Gilbert; SB 41, Carrico). Prohibits government discrimination based on religious or moral belief regarding marriage. (Passed Senate 20-19)
7. Allows Court Clerks to Refuse Marriage Licenses on Moral or Religious Grounds (SB 40, Carrico). Applicants may apply at DMV for issuance if not available from Clerk of the Court. (Died in Senate)
8. Restrictions on Common Core in Virginia: (HB 259, LaRock). Prohibits VA Board of Education from adopting revisions to Standards of Learning that implement Common Core Standards without prior approval of the General Assembly. (Passed House 77-22)
9. Parental Discretion over “Sexually Explicit” Content in School (HB 516, Landes and Howell). Schools must notify parents, permit parental review, and provide opt-out alternatives if parents object to explicit materials or presentations. (Passed House 98-0)
10. Student Physical Privacy Act (HB 663/HB 781, Cole). Protects students’ physical privacy with regard to use of restrooms, locker rooms, etc., based on biological and anatomical sex. (Both Bills Died/Defeated Respectively in House)
11. Parental Choice Education Savings Account (HB 389, LaRock). Permits parents of public school child with special needs to apply to school division for per pupil cost for that child and use it to pay for alternative programs of the parents’ choice. (Passed House 53-46)
12. Homeschool Sports (“Tebow”) Bill (SB 612, Garrett; HB 131, R. Bell). Prohibits public schools from joining interscholastic organizations that do not allow home-schooled students to participate in school sports programs. (Passed House 58-41 and Senate 22-17)
13. Allows State Board of Education to Approve Charter Schools (SJ 6, Obenshain; HJ 1, R. Bell). Amends VA Constitution to grant State Board of Education authority to approve charter schools within Virginia school districts. (SJ 6 Defeated in Senate 21-19), but (HJ 1 passed House 52-47). Therefore, HJ 1 moves to Senate for new vote.
14. Convention of States (HJ 3, Lingamfelter). Makes application to Congress to call for an Article V Convention that would propose Constitutional amendments aimed at reining in the federal government. (Passed House 52-47)
15. Penalty on Unfaithful Delegates to Convention of States (HB 1328, Cline). Strengthens safeguards for COS procedures by imposing criminal penalty on any VA delegate who violates the Legislature’s instructions. (Passed House 56-43)
16. (New) Right to Work (HB 4, Dickie Bell). Provides for state-wide referendum to approve or reject a “Right to Work” Constitutional amendment that would prohibit making union membership a requirement for employment. (Passed House 63-34 and Senate 21-19)
— Other Bills We Oppose —
1. Add Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Cases to “Non-Discrimination” Laws: (Housing: SB 67, Wexton; State Employment: SB 12, Ebbin/McEachin; and multiple bills in the House). (Both bills passed Senate 25-15) but (Defeated in House).
2. Prohibit Sexual Orientation Counseling: (SB 262, Surovell; SB 267, Dance; HB 427, Hope). (Defeated in both Senate and House)
3. Expand Gambling: (SB 32, SB 33 & SB 34, Lucas; SB 242, Petersen; and multiple bills in the House) (All Bills Defeated in Senate)
4. Expand Medicaid Programs: Included in Governor’s proposed budget
5. Attack Pregnancy Resource Centers
6. Remove Ultrasound Requirement Prior to Abortion (SB 53, Locke). (Defeated)