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 ::
> Kevin Crossett

:: verbatim ::

"I do not appreciate the ministers of propaganda putting out inaccuracies that are trying to stir up and rattle the citizens of our commonwealth."

- Sen. Thomas K. Norment, R-Williamsburg, responding to an e-mail sent to legislators last week by a special interest group supporting the car tax cut. (Source: The Virginian-Pilot)

:: on deck ::

At 5 p.m. today, the House of Delegates Black Caucus will meet in the 6th Floor Conference Room B of the General Assembly Building.

At 8 a.m. tomorrow, the General Assembly hosts a Women's Roundtable in House Room C of the General Assembly Building.

:: bookmark this! ::

> Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission

… provides access to on-line summaries of reports and to electronic copies of publications produced for the Legislature.

:: recess ::

"Corpse-Reanimation Technology Still 10 Years Off, Say MIT Mad Scientists"

- The Onion.com

Need a break from the same tired old news stories about crime and violence?

Then go to The Onion.com for a light, refreshing take on the news of the day.

:: feedback ::
> Suggestions, ideas,
tips for coverage? Tell us!

:: mega-donors ::

> During the 1999 elections, members of the General Assembly received more than half their money from 150 groups and individuals.

Here are the top donors, and how they fared during the 2000 legislative session.

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001

Driving laws may stiffen for teens

Virginia's teen drivers were the focus of a Senate Transportation Committee public hearing last night where more than 100 people appeared to voice their opinion about legislation pending in the Virginia General Assembly, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

Proposed legislation includes:

  • Increasing the age that driver's may obtain learner and driving permits;

  • Prohibiting people under 18 from driving at night;

  • Imposing passenger limits for teens;

  • Prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving; and

  • Imposing stiffer penalties for motor vehicle violations.

When in doubt: follow the money

Delegate C. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, complained yesterday that the Gilmore administration's projected revenue estimates may be too low, The Roanoke Times reported.

Cranwell, the highest ranking Democrat in the House of Delegates, thinks the Gilmore administration may be underestimating the 70 percent car tax reduction by as much as $81 million - impairing the ability of the General Assembly to amend the state's two-year budget.

Legislators reply to e-mail

The car tax debate continues - this time with technology - as an e-mail was circulated last week to about 500 people claiming that there was no shortfall in Gov. James S. Gilmore's budget.

Sent by Ray F. Allen Jr, executive director of the No Car Tax political action committee, the message said that some legislators want to use the car tax money to increase government spending.

Legislators made it evident yesterday that they did not appreciate the propaganda issued by the Gilmore administration, according to The Virginian-Pilot. "I am absolutely incensed at the misrepresentations that are made in this (e-mail)," said Sen. Thomas K. Norment.

 

:: 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