Death penalty stays alive
as panel kills bills
The House Courts of Justice
Committee yesterday killed two bills that would have suspended or
eliminated the death penalty in Virginia, reported the Richmond
Times-Dispatch.
"I think it's just important
that we don't take any chances that an innocent person would be executed,"
said Delegate James F. Almand, D-Arlington, in arguing for a moratorium.
He asked committee members
to place a moratorium on executions until the study on the death penalty
by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is complete.
The bill was killed 16-6.
For more info: Read
Jay-Anne
Casuga's overview of death penalty legislation on Stateline.org.
Private students still
can't go to governor's schools
The Senate Education Committee
on Thursday killed a bill to require the publicly-funded governor's
schools to allow private- and home-schooled students admittance, according
to The Virginian-Pilot.
"I have to say, if
I could vote, I wouldn't vote for any of them," said Natalie
Cain, a senior from Virginia Beach, who came to Richmond to show her
support for the bill.
Sen. Nick Rerras, R-Norfolk,
proposed the bill after Tony Rapisardi, a Catholic High senior from
Virginia Beach, was kicked out of a governor's school last October
because he goes to private school.
The committee rejected
the bill 11-4.
House narrowly passes
'morning after pill' bill
A bill that would broaden
access to the emergency contraception commonly known as the "morning
after pill" passed the House yesterday 58-40, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch reported.
"This is basically 'the
pill,'" Delegate Anne G. Rhodes, R-Richmond said, referring to drugs
taken regularly for birth control. "But the pill given in heavier
doses."
Delegate Viola O. Baskerville,
D-Richmond, sponsored the bill and pointed out that the drug, usually
administered within 72 hours of unprotected sex, would reduce abortions.
The bill would allow pharmacists
to hand out the pills, which prevent a fertilized egg from implanting
itself in the uterus, without a prescription.
