Produced
by VCU's
Legislative
Reporting
students

A daily roundup of media coverage of the Virginia General Assembly
Updated by noon each weekday by a student in Mass Comm 375 at Virginia Commonwealth University
:: today's editor ::
> April Duran

:: verbatim ::

"I would say if you put it back up, you are inviting another act of vandalism."

- Richmond City Councilman Sa'ad El-Amin, on the burning of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's picture on Richmond's floodwall during the King-Lee-Jackson holiday. (Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch)


:: on deck ::
Follow the money! The Senate Finance Committee meets at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in Senate Room B of the General Assembly Building and again, at the call of the chair, at 4 p.m. on Thursday in the 10th floor Conference Room of the General Assembly Building.

:: bookmark this! ::

> www.vaumc.org

The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church tracks legislative activity and sends out weekly e-mail alerts. Topics include children's issues, education, safety in schools, mental health, aging and environment.


:: recess ::
Take a trip into the absurd at The Onion, a parody of news stories that's bound to make the savviest newshound do a double take. Some features include the columns Savage Love, Justify Your Existence and the Cultural Idiocy Quiz. One can also find bizarre news briefs, editorials and horoscopes at the site.

:: feedback ::
> Suggestions, ideas,
tips for coverage? Tell us!
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000

Health panel streamlines operations

The House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions will streamline its subcommittees for the 2000 legislative session, panel members decided when they met briefly Tuesday in a crowded room. [Full coverage by April Duran]


Democrats support patients' rights

Democrats in both chambers of the General Assembly promised to support legislation that would allow Virginia patients to sue HMOs for denying necessary medical treatments, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The legislation also would help patients pay for prescription drugs and allow them to choose their doctors. Sen. John S. Edwards, D-Roanoke, asked Republicans to go along with Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who has already signed a similar measure into law. Funding for the proposals would come from the state's share of the national tobacco settlement, said Delegate R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath.


Senator wants 'Web casts' of meetings

If Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, gets his way, state government meetings will be broadcast over the Internet to allow Virginians far from Richmond to follow meetings held by commissions and legislative agencies, according to The Roanoke Times. He wants to establish a joint subcommittee that would come up with guidelines for "Web casting." He said he has the support of his fellow members on the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.


Bill to set up teacher reviews

Proposed legislation would enable local school boards to set up review panels for teachers seeking permanent employment in their districts, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Such teachers would have a three-year tryout, during which the principal could hire or fire them. The bill, proposed by Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville, calls for citizens, supervisors, principals and teachers to sit on committees that would review a teacher's performance based upon student achievement, lesson plans and professional credentials. Teachers hired for a fourth year would be granted a permanent position under "continuing contract status."

 

:: links ::

> Home page for MASC 375, the Legislative Reporting course
at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Mass Communications

> Hotlist of newspapers covering the General Assembly

> Other online resources for legislative reporters