Dear Friends, Virginians, citizens of Fairfax:
Tuesday the General Assembly hits the cross-over mark. That means that we have completed our business in the State Senate. Now we will act on legislation passed by the House.
In the Senate, we've had some important initiatives pass out this year. Here's a sample:
1. Repeal of Abuser Fees (SB 1 -- Senator Houck). The title sums it up.
2. "No Excuse" Absentee Voting (SB 69 - Senator Howell). Permits Virginians to vote in-person absentee once the ballots are printed and thus avoid long election day lines.
3. Non-partisan Redistricting (SB 38 -- Senator Deeds). Sets up a neutral commission to determine our congressional and legislative districts free from overt politics.
4. The Indoor Clean Air Act (SB 298 -- Senator Whipple). Eliminates smoking in public restaurants.
So far I've had five bills pass the Senate. The most emotional was SB 450, which sought to amend the "slayer statute" to prevent a husband convicted of killing his wife from receiving her property as "next of kin." Incredibly, the Virginia Bar Association chose to oppose this bill and it barely passed out of Committee with only Democratic votes.
On the floor, I spoke about the victim whose tragic death gave rise to the legislation. Her life was secured by a $100,000 life insurance policy. Should those precious funds go to support her teenage daughter or pay her husband's legal fees? This is not a legal issue. This is a moral issue. After my speech, the bill passed on the floor by a vote of 37-2.
I am still waiting on the final resolution for a couple bills, including SB 446 (a.k.a. "the Clean Energy Future Act"). For better or worse, I'll get a decision on that in the next couple days. It's in a tough fight.
Thanks to everyone that came to our town halls last weekend in Fairfax and Vienna. Democracy is alive and well in the 34th State Senate district. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at (804) 698-3574 in Richmond or chap@fairfaxsenator.com. You can also track us by visiting my blog at www.oxroadsouth.com. Let us know how we can represent you better.
Sincerely,
Chap Petersen
Visit us at www.fairfaxsenator.com
