Cuccinelli talks redistricting, discrimination

Days after Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a state government anti-discrimination directive -- it came in response to outcry over advice Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli gave to Virginia colleges and universities that they shouldn't have policies protecting sexual orientation -- the attorney general said his legal opinion is unchanged.

"What I said in my March 4 letter was accurate advice under Virginia law and it still stands," Cuccinelli told reporters Friday following a briefing he gave to legislators about the planned 2011 redistricting process.

He also addressed questions about whether he thinks the Voting Rights Act, which governs redistricting in Virginia, violates the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"That's really not a question that we've taken a look at now based on, in light of how skeptical we are of certain aspects of federal power," said Cuccinelli who has made clear his objection to what he considers instances of federal infringements on states' rights.

Meanwhile,Equality Virginia chief executive officer sent another letter to McDonnell, calling on the governor to take a stronger step than his executive directive, which lacks the force of law.

The remedies requested include:

1) Amend the nondiscrimination policy in Section 2.2-3900 B.1. of the Virginia Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity;

2) Codify protections against discrimination in state and local employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and

3) Permit expansion of state benefits to include "otherwise qualified adults" living in the households of state employees.

"It is essential to the Commonwealth's status as a pro-business and welcoming state that the Governor take positive action to secure passage of legislation that codifies the promises made in his Executive Directive and extends protections to those not covered by it, including students and transgender people," Blair said in a statement. "Equality Virginia is committed to working in partnership with him and others to achieve this objective. We will be forwarding a copy of our letter to the Governor letter to all of the presidents of Virginia's public colleges and universities with a request that they and their boards of visitors take official action in support of the legislative changes we have asked the Governor to seek."

-- Julian Walker

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