State and National Government
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia lawmakers have given final passage to a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill intended to protect LGBTQ people. Advocates say the legislation will make the state the first in the South to enact such protections. The legislation that cleared the Senate in a final vote Wednesday prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public or private employment, public spaces and credit transactions. It also lays out causes of action that would allow individuals to sue over alleged discrimination. Opponents have raised religious liberty concerns about the measure. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has said he supports the bill and is expected to sign it.
A University of Virginia Political Science Professor says the Democrats speaking out against front-runner Bernie Sanders didn’t seem to learn anything from the previous presidential election. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
The latest Roanoke College poll shows more Virginians disapproving of Governor Northam than was the case last year — immediately after the “blackface” scandal broke. The poll finds approval for Governor Northam is now 40%, and that is much better than the 27%. But disapproval has risen from 34% then to 41% now, and the poll’s director thinks there might be a link to this year’s most controversial General Assembly proposals.WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
The questions were part of a much larger survey of Virginians. Click here for full results and methodology.
A new statewide poll suggests that presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg’s massive campaign spending in Virginia is not producing the desired impact — with one week left before primary day. Here in Virginia, Bloomberg’s big ad buys are matched with at least seven campaign offices and 80 paid staffers. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
The latest Roanoke College poll asked Virginians identifying themselves as Democrats to rate the major presidential candidates favorably or unfavorably. Joe Biden led the way with 66% favorable, followed in order by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and last, by a wide margin, Mike Bloomberg at 44%. Wilson stresses the Democrats polled were not asked who would they vote for, and he is not using favorability ratings to predict next week’s primary outcome.
Click here for full poll results and methodology.
A Democratic Presidential hopeful says winning majorities in the General Assembly is an example of what happens when the party is united and energized. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
A national political analyst says an overseas trip with US lawmakers showed there can be civility in Washington. WFIR’s Clark Palmer explains.
A new breakfast spot is set to open on Kirk Avenue in Downtown Roanoke – right across 2nd street from the City of Roanoke Municipal Building. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
It looks like a proposed statewide ban on the sale of assault-style weapons is dead for the year in Richmond. So is the proposed ban on possessing high-capacity magazines. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted yesterday to hold off any possible further consideration until next year. Roanoke Democrat John Edwards was among among the four in their party who joined Republican committee members in suspending further action this year. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s push to ban the sale of assault weapons failed on Monday after some of his fellow Democrats balked at the proposal.
Senators voted to shelve the bill for the year and ask the state crime commission to study the issue, an outcome that drew cheers from a committee room packed with gun advocates.
Four moderate Democrats joined Republicans in Monday’s committee vote, rejecting legislation that would have prohibited the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including popular AR-15 style rifles, and banned the possession of magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.
The bill was a top priority for Northam, who has campaigned heavily for a broad package of gun-control measures. The governor’s spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said he’s disappointed with the result but determined to continue to press for the measure.
“We will be back next year,” she said.
David Majure, a gun-rights supporter who attended the committee hearing, said he’s glad about Monday’s results but not convinced the bill is dead for the year.
“I’m happy about it, but I don’t trust them,” he said.
Virginia is the current epicenter of the country’s heated debate over guns, as a new Democratic majority seeks to enact strict new limits.
Democrats ran heavily on gun control during last year’s legislative elections when they flipped control of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades.
But gun owners, especially in rural communities, have pushed back hard. Last month, tens of thousands of guns-rights activists from around the country flooded the Capitol and surrounding area in protest, some donning tactical gear and carrying military rifles. And more than 100 counties, cities and towns have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries, vowing to oppose any new “unconstitutional restrictions” on guns.
The proposed assault weapon ban has received the most opposition. Gun owners have accused the governor and others of wanting to confiscate commonly owned guns and accessories from law-abiding gun owners. Northam and his allies have said repeatedly they do not want to confiscate guns, but argued that banning new sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would help prevent mass murders.
“This bill will save lives,” said Democratic Del. Mark Levine, who sponsored the legislation.
Earlier proposals to ban possession of AR-15-style rifles or to require owners to register them with state police have been scrapped. The governor had hoped a watered-down version would win over enough Democratic moderates for passage.
But moderate Democrats in the state Senate have said for weeks they are uncomfortable passing legislation that would affect so many current gun owners.
An estimated 8 million AR-style guns have been sold since they were introduced to the public in the 1960s. The weapons are known as easy to use, easy to clean and easy to modify with a variety of scopes, stocks and rails.
Lawmakers voted to table the bill Monday with little debate, while noting that there was confusion over what types of guns would constitute an assault weapon.
“There are obviously a lot of questions about definitions in this bill. Definitions do matter,” said Democratic Sen. Creigh Deeds.
The Senate has now rejected three of the governor’s eight gun-control measures. Moderate Democrats have already voted with Republicans to kill a bill that would make it a felony to “recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm” in a way that endangers a minor, and a bill that would require gun owners to report the loss or theft of a gun to police.
Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have already advanced several other gun-control measures and should finalize passage in the coming days. Those bills include limiting handgun purchases to once a month; universal background checks on gun purchases; allowing localities to ban guns in public buildings, parks and other areas; and a red flag bill that would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others.
Sen. Amanda Chase Facebook
UPDATE:A Richmond area Republican lawmaker has declared her intention to run for Governor in 2021. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story
PREVIOUS: RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia Republican state senator says she’s running for governor next year as an unabashed conservative whose top priority will be to promote gun rights.
Sen. Amanda Chase announced her candidacy Monday to a crowd of about 100 outside the Capitol on Monday, saying voters were unhappy with the state’s new liberal direction under a Democratic majority — particularly on gun laws.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Chase said.
Virginia has become ground zero in the country’s gun debate, as a newly empowered Democratic majority seeks to pass several gun-control measures.
Chase is the first major candidate to formally announce a gubernatorial campaign. though several Democrats have indicated their interest in running. That includes Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Republican businessman Pete Snyder has also indicated an interest in running.
Current Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, is not able to seek a consecutive term under state law.
A populist who often clashes with members of her own party, Chase represents a conservative district near Richmond and easily won reelection last year.
But she faces strong headwinds in a statewide race. Republicans have not won a statewide election in Virginia in more than a decade and the state’s fast growing suburbs and urban areas tilt Democratic.
Chase said she believes she can reverse the string of GOP losses by increasing turnout among disaffected conservatives. She also left open the possibility she could run as an independent if she doesn’t win the GOP nomination.
“People are tired of weak-kneed Republicans that get in there and moderate to the middle,” she said.
Her comments echoed the approach taken in 2018 by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Corey Stewart, who lost to U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine by 16 percentage points.
Chase has long been an outspoken gun supporter and used to openly carry a gun on the Senate floor and in committee hearings. A new Democrat majority at the General Assembly has banned guns in the Capitol this year and have passed number of gun-control measures this year.
Last year she issued an apology for losing her temper during an encounter with a police officer.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported at the time that Chase held up traffic and used profane language with a police officer when she was denied access to a secure parking area near the Capitol.
Chase said in her statement Tuesday that she wanted to use the secure parking area because she felt unsafe parking away from the Capitol. Chase also said the officer was rude and dismissive.
At her announcement Monday, Chase took questions from reporters and supporters. The closing question came from a supporter, who asked which country is the best in the world.
The crowd chanted “U.S.A.!” and then, with the same cadence: “Governor Chase.”
Democratic Presidential candidates are descending on Virginia ahead of its primary in two weeks. More ahead of Super Tuesday, with WFIR’s Ian Price: