The fight against domestic
violence
About 100 people gathered
at the Capitol recently to plead for more money for emergency shelters
and other programs to fight domestic violence, which they said cost
over 100 Virginians their lives last year. [Full
story by Lee Wilburn]
School gun bills back
in holsters
Guns can be brought to
school for rifle teams and other school-sponsored programs for at
least another year while legislators study the matter, The
Roanoke Times reported. Some lawmakers want to close the exemptions
to the state ban on firearms at school. Under current law, guns are
permitted on school property for rifle teams, firearm safety and hunting
courses. Legislative
leaders agreed to study the issue for a year before acting on bills
that would affect the exemptions.
HMO debate still alive
A bill allowing patients
to sue health maintenance organizations was revitalized Monday on
the House floor after being killed by a committee. Three Republicans,
according The
News & Advance of Lynchburg, backed the Democratic proposal. The
bill is part of a Democratic package called the "Patients Bill of
Rights," which allows patients to sue HMOs if any injury or death
occurs from the refusal of services.
Warning! Warning! Red
light!
Gov. Jim Gilmore warned
Northern Virginia advocates for transportation not to tamper with
his $2.5 billion plan for new roads and transits by increasing taxes
in the area. Legislators from the D.C. suburbs want Gilmore to move
more rapidly on his five-year proposal, The
Washington Post reported.
Gilmore opposes aid to
textile workers
The Gilmore administration
opposes a bill that would give extra unemployment benefits and health
insurance coverage to textile workers laid off by Tultex Corp, the
Richmond Times-Dispatch
reported. The corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy two months
ago. As a result, thousands of Southside Virginia residents lost their
jobs. The governor does not believe the Tultex workers should get
special treatment.
