| Updated
by noon each weekday by a student in Mass Comm 375 at Virginia Commonwealth
University |
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today's editor :: |
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Tracey Wainwright |
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verbatim :: |
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"If
you want the worst-case application, if you think religion ought
to dominate government at every level, then you ought to move
to Iran and get your wish."
-
Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, in opposition
to a mandatory minute of silence for meditation, prayer or reflection
in state public schools.
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on deck :: |
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The
Senate General Laws Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday in
Senate Room B of the General Assembly Building.
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Senate OKs minute of silence
in schools
The Senate passed legislation
by a 28-11 vote Tuesday that would require Virginia public schools
to set aside one minute for silent meditation, prayer or reflection,
the Richmond Times-Dispatch
reported. The bill now heads to the House. Opponents of the legislation
– mostly Democrats – said the bill may face legal battles if signed
into law. They contend that it may lead to forcing religion on students,
thereby violating the Constitution. Proponents said students needed
time to reflect on their goals or pray.
House approves speed-detection
aircraft
A bill that would give
state law enforcement agencies the right to use low-flying aircraft
to target speeding drivers passed the House yesterday by a 66-32 vote.
The bill heads for the Senate, which is expected to approve the legislation
that Gov. Jim Gilmore endorses, The
Washington Post reported. State law now prohibits police from
using radar or other speed detection instruments from the air. The
legislation would allow police to employ helicopters to detect speeders
and send patrol cruisers to pull them. If the measure becomes law,
officials said they plan to use the system first on Interstate 81.
Lawmakers to debate seat-belt
legislation
Legislators will take up
the seat belt battle again when they take a look at two bills that
aim to tighten current laws. One bill would make failure to wear a
seat belt while in the front seat a primary offense, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch reported. Police first must detect another motorist
violation before ticketing someone for not wearing a seat belt. The
issue died last year in the House. The other bill would require children
16 and under to wear restraints while riding in cargo areas of pickup
trucks.
Black caucus unveils legislative
agenda
The Legislative Black Caucus
released its agenda Tuesday, the first day of Black History Month,
urging restoration of voting rights for some felons, a living-wage
bill, increased day-care funding and education initiatives. Legislators
stated that under Virginia’s law that restricts convicted felons from
voting, 25 percent of black males in the state cannot vote, the Virginia
Associated Press reported. Other legislation would require employers
with state contracts to pay employees at least 150 percent of the
$5.15 an hour minimum wage. The caucus said it also planned to introduce
measures to heighten day-care funding for families trying to get off
welfare and to address the overrepresentation of blacks in special-education
courses.
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