Virginia@: Your August 30 Sunday Summary ...

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Dear Friend of TJI,

The passing of former Lt. Governor John Hager marked not only the departure of one of the symbols of conservative hegemony in Virginia, it also marked the passing of a friend. Hager was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Institute Board, our Treasurer, and respected by all. We marked his passing here. But no one said it better than former political reporter Bob Lewis here ... unless it was John's granddaughter, who said he is in a better place, "out of his wheel-chair and running." (click here). RIP.

Meanwhile ...

1.) Parents across Virginia are creating "Pandemic Pods" to replace the services denied when schools shut down in-building instruction but doing so at their own cost - an added expense difficult for all but especially for low-income parents and parents of students with disabilities. In response, Delegate Kirk Cox has authored a budget amendment creating a Reimbursement for Education Access Decisions (READ) Fund from which parents of any child denied in-school learning opportunities could secure funding for tutors, educational therapies, transportation and consumable educational supplies, among other things. The fund would use $100 million of unspent federal COVID funds, thus having no impact on the state budget. The House Appropriations Committee has yet to take up the decisions, giving parents an opportunity to contact the members listed here. Will Democratic leaders turn their backs on suburban and inner city Moms alike? We provide details and make the case for it here.

2.) The Senate has been moving forward in working through legislation. After an Inspector General reported that the Parole Board illegally released a convicted murderer, a bill sponsored by Senator David Suetterlein passed the Senate General Laws Committee by 8-6, with two Democrats in support (here). The Parole Board, meanwhile is circling the wagons, refusing to resign as Governor Ralph Northam's legal advisor claims the Inspector General had no authority to investigate, forcing us to wonder if the IG isn't the one to do it, who is? (here)

3.) The same Senate committee witnessed a debate over democracy as a party line vote defeated legislation to limit the ability of a Governor - any Governor, Republican or Democrat - to issue unending Executive Orders in a self-declared emergency. Senator Bill Stanley summed it up: "Tyranny." (here). The Committee does not include Democratic Senator Chap Petersen, who earlier withdrew his lawsuit challenging Governor Northam's Emergency Orders, noting those Orders were carried out in a "dictatorial fashion." (click here).

4.) The full Senate approved Senator Scott Surovell's legislation, which originally would have simply removed all felony penalties for assaulting an officer. Before doing so, however, wiser heads in the Committee amended his bill to remove the penalties only for those who are developmentally disabled or when there is no injury. Presumably, now, a "swing and a miss" doesn't count (here).

5.) The General Assembly is working its way through other criminal justice reforms. One such reform sponsored by Delegate Dave LaRock (here) would limit the scope of police union contracts to compensation and benefits - preventing discipline and accountability from being the subject of a bargaining agreement (which has often led to officers like Derek Chauvin being returned to the streets over the objections of their police chiefs - see here). The elements LaRock has introduced are common problems in police union contract bargaining agreements elsewhere in the country, and a Thomas Jefferson Institute poll shows across the board support for reforming those problems before they arise in Virginia (collective bargaining starts here next May). (click here and here).

6.) The New Progressive Majority, having had months to plan for the Special Session doesn't know what they are doing or what the plan is. But don't take our word for it, click here.

7.) Before leaving Richmond politics, over at Bacon's Rebellion, Jim Bacon points out that it cost Baltimore paid less than $20,000 to remove four Confederate statues three years ago, and asks why it cost Richmond taxpayers $1.8 million the same number. The contract was awarded to a campaign donor to Mayor Levar Stoney, ignoring city and state procurement regulations. Bacon suggests it's time the Mayor cleared the air (click here). And the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney says she won't investigate due to a potential conflict (here).

8.) The presidential tickets are set in two national conventions unlike any ever seen before. This might be a good time to pause to remember someone we think should have been president (click here) ... and to savor the remarks of someone who one day may be a presidential candidate himself (click here).

9.) Democratic Socialist Lee Carter has made good on his promise to introduce a budget amendment defunding police (here). Speakers at the Democratic National Convention, including the top of the ticket, were silent on the riots and violence taking place in our cities. This Democrat, however, was not silent. Or at least he was a Democrat, until the State Democratic Party ousted him from the ticket for the apostasy of supporting school choice and opposing abortion, forcing him to run for re-election as an Independent. The speech is heartening, but especially so at about the 6:30 mark (click here).

Finally ... next week is Labor Day, and we will be taking leave of our labors for the weekend. The day was created by the labor movement and first became a national holiday in 1894. It took a few years for a former union president to be elected President of the United States, but when he ran he reminded conservatives that our goal is to build an American economy that holds out real opportunity to the working man, and that all were welcomed into his coalition ... right up to the very last words (click here).

Happy Sunday, Everyone.

Labor Day also is the traditional start of the campaign. Buckle up. It's going to be quite a ride.

Cordially,