Please visit the new OxRoadSouth at www.oxroadsouth.com  ... << MORE >>

Ever been to a basketball game where the score resembled a wrestling match?

That's what it felt like when I looked at the half-time score of 13-2 in the annual House vs. Senate "Capital Classic" to benefit the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

The Senators "recovered" to make it less-than-respectable 29-13. Along the way, we probably shot 6% for the field, which is about the percentage of our bills passing in the House right now.

The starting lineup of Petersen (D-Ffx City), McEachin ... << MORE >>

As a person who struggles with legislative issues, I try to follow the title of a famous Eighties film in my votes and actions in Richmond:

Do the right thing.

It's a good slogan to live by, because it's flexible and fits on a note card. It's also backed up by thousands of years of Judeo-Christian tradition and theology. (In another context, you might say "Do unto others ...")

Now, I can't say what motivates all lawmakers. The ones I know are ... << MORE >>

You need to read this story .

I cannot get it out of my head.

The authorities tell us the "zero tolerance" system is working.

No, actually it's not.

... << MORE >>

Last night was the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner for the Democratic Party of Virginia. The event, which is the state party's major fundraiser, was held  at the Richmond Convention Center. Some 1,400 people attended -- about half of whom are reputedly candidates for U.S. Senate to replace Jim Webb.

Like Richmond, the JJ has its own style. I won't try to describe it. The high and low lights are pretty much indistinguishable. It's all about who talks the most (the invocation took 20 minutes) and works in the most Democratic-friendly applause lines.
... << MORE >>

Yesterday, the State Senate passed a bill regarding telecom deregulation (HB 2763), which essentially changes our "carrier of last resort" law so that telecom companies, i.e. Verizon, can now provide "wireless" service, instead of "wireline," to new customers.

The bill is founded on the common-sense presumption that wireless is increasingly cheaper and more accessible for users, and therefore there's less (if any) need to keep putting up telephone poles.

Ah, but that's only part of the story.

As ... << MORE >>

Great post yesterday  by Delegate Scott Surovell. Scott represents the Mt. Vernon portion of Fairfax County in the House and is also my law partner.

The elimination of the $150M Federal "match" for our METRO system in the D.C. area would be devastating. Already the system is overloaded and working poorly. Lord knows that I've ranted on this blog  about METRO's shortcomings (and FWIW I don't support the current leadership structure either but that's a discussion for another time).

Right now, ... << MORE >>

Today the House Courts subcommittee defeated SB 831, which was my bill restricting the Attorney General's subpoena power. Here' s an online report from the Post . 

(Fyi, the bill did not "exempt" universities from the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act. It merely limited the subpoena power where the controvery involved a "matter of academic research or inquiry").

To review the basic issues here:

1. The Attorney General is funded by the state taxpayer.
2. The ... << MORE >>

We just adjourned Senate Privileges and Elections Committee ("P&E") a few minutes ago. The Committee reviews all proposed constitutional amendments. They must pass both Subcommittee and full Committee. Most proposals don't make it.

However, the Committee tonight did narrowly (8-7) pass HJR 693 , which amends the Virginia Constitution to add a section limiting the use of eminent domain. Assuming it clears the Senate floor, it will come back to the Assembly next year for "second vote" and then go to the voting public in 2012. ... << MORE >>

Today is Valentine's Day. It's also a beautiful day in downtown Richmond. The Capitol Square has been filled all day with people having picnics or talking a walk outdoors.

Our session adjourned at 1 pm and I spent most the afternoon standing outside by the Harry Byrd statute, making phone calls or reviewing work. It was too nice to go indoors.

We had only one real debate today arising from a bill permitting "electronic notaries," i.e. permitting a notary to endorse documents when the signer is appearing ... << MORE >>