House votes to revamp
death-row appeals
In a unanimous vote, the
House yesterday tentatively passed legislation ending Virginia’s restrictions
on death-row appeals.
The measure, which the
House will consider for final approval today, would extend from three
weeks to three years the time prisoners have to present new proof
of their innocence to the courts, The
Virginian-Pilot reported.
Lawmakers, including those
who opposed the bill in previous years, explained why they believed
it was time to ensure that the government did not commit the ultimate
sin.
“If we could save one innocent
prisoner’s life, that’s the least we can do as human beings,” said
Del. S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, who opposed changes to the bill last
year. The state’s toughest-in-the-nation 21-day rule has been the
recipient of criticism in recent years from clergy and former state
officials.
Senate passes higher inspection
fee bill
Driving on Virginia roads
may come at a higher price as the Senate passed a bill yesterday raising
the cost of the annual inspection fee for cars and light trucks from
$10 to $18.
Bus inspection fees and
larger truck fees would see a $40 increase, raising the price from
$10 to $50. Motorcycle inspection fees have increases to $9 from a
previous $5.
Sen. Warren E. Barry, R-Fairfax,
sponsored the legislation, saying that vehicle inspection fees have
not been raised in almost 20 years, while service station operators
and other inspection stations have seen a sharp rise n labor costs,
according to the Richmond
Times-Dispatch.
After little trouble passing
the Senate Transportation committee with a 14-1 vote, the bill Passed
on the Senate floor by a 26-11 vote. The legislation now goes to the
House of Delegates.
Senator backs religious
freedom measure
Influenced by an incident
cited by Lynchburg's police chief, Sen. Steve D. Newman, R-Lynchburg,
plans to revive and amend a bill intended to ensure religious freedom.
The legislation, which
died in committee Sunday night, would bar the state or local government
from restricting anyone’s “free exercise of religion” unless officials
could show a “compelling governmental interest” to restrict them.
The Lynchburg police chief,
Col. Charles W. Bennett, said the present religious freedom bill,
sponsored by Sen. William C. Mims, R-Loudon, would tie the hands of
police because it would allow people to break laws in the name of
religion, according to The
News & Advance of Lynchburg.
Bennett told of a 1997
anti-abortion protest at E.C. Glass High School where students were
harassed on their way to school. Protest participants refused to leave,
saying they were protesting for their faith.
Newman said the measure
needs some tweaking, but he supports reinforcing people’s right to
worship. He and Mims said they are hopeful for an opportunity to attach
the measure to another bill on the Senate floor.
