Protesters rally at Capitol
against death penalty
By the
Capital News
Service
A crowd armed with loud
voices and to-the-point banners gathered outside the Capitol yesterday
to rally against capital punishment.
Virginians
for Alternatives to the Death Penalty represented a large portion
of the crowd. Also in attendance: representatives of the NAACP, as
well as friends and relatives of men and women waiting on death row.
The crowd addressed legislators
in its speeches and chants. Delegate
Frank D. Hargrove, R-Glen Allen, commended the protesters for
making their stance known.
House passes bill to restrict
teen driving
Virginia’s House of Delegates
on Tuesday passed a bill that sets a midnight curfew for teen-age
drivers.
The bill barely passed
with a 51-47
vote. Some legislators question the General Assembly’s right to
implement such restrictions, arguing that rules for teen-agers should
be set by parents, not the government. [Full
story by Jessica Brown]
Governor says economic
picture will improve
By
Kevin Crossett
Capital News
Service
Gov. James S. Gilmore,
in a press conference outside the Governor's Mansion yesterday, sought
to allay fears surrounding Secretary of Finance Ronald L. Tillet's
announcement that the commonwealth's revenue performance was the worst
in a decade.
In a brief statement, Gilmore
said he took into consideration last month's revenue drop when drafting
his budget, adding that the financial outlook for this month is much
better.
The reduced revene, as
well as flagging support in Senate, has some people wondering whether
Gilmore will be able to get his 70 percent tax cut through the Virginia
General Assembly.
Marye sets out to slash
car tax program
Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville,
this week will introduce a bill that would trash Gov. Jim Gilmore's
treasured car-tax cut program, The
Roanoke Times reported.
Marye, known for his impiety,
said he predicted three years ago that Gilmore's numbers wouldn't
add up. He said he is not surprised that the tax-cut program's reputation
has deteriorated among some legislators.
Marye has the support of
other Democrats who are upset that Gilmore has cut funds, particularly
for education, to replace car-tax revenues. Still, it is unlikely
that Marye's bill will get far because many Republican legislators
gained election support by backing the car tax relief program.
Senate cancels today's
session
The Senate canceled today's
floor session to allow its members to attend the funeral service for
former Sen. Stanley C. Walker, D-Norfolk, according to the the Newport
News Daily Press.
Most committee meetings
have been rescheduled
or canceled as well. Although the House of Delegates will convene
today, it will consider only mild, neutral issues. Walker died Monday
at age 77.
