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RICHMOND
Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed changes to the state budget to clarify restrictions on funding for abortions, direct more dollars to economic development and public safety, and increase fines for speeding tickets.
The governor also has signed legislation allowing concealed handguns in restaurants that serve alcohol, and made a minor change to a bill allowing gun owners to store firearms in their vehicles. And he signed legislation allowing a special license plate that will generate money for Planned Parenthood, but stipulated that the proceeds could not be used for abortion services.
McDonnell completed a flurry of activity on the budget and other legislation before Tuesday's midnight deadline to act on measures passed during the General Assembly session. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Wednesday to act on the governor's amendments and other bills. McDonnell amended 122 bills but did not veto any of the 871 measures sent to his desk.
McDonnell said most of his proposed spending would go toward economic development, health care and public safety.
The governor inserted language into the budget that imposes the same restrictions on public funding for abortions that the federal government applies under the Hyde Amendment. That means abortion funding for eligible women is limited to cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger.
McDonnell amended legislation allowing a license plate bearing the words "Trust Women/Respect Choice." After 1,000 plates are sold, $15 of the $25 fee on subsequent plates will go to Planned Parenthood. Many Republican s favored diverting the proceeds, but McDonnell amended the bill to ensure that Planned Parenthood would not use the revenue for abortion services.
Additional amendments disclosed Wednesday include an additional $6 million for the Governor's Opportunity Fund, a "deal-closing" account used to recruit new and expanding businesses. McDonnell also took steps to prevent prison closings in the first year of the new budget and scrapped a provision that would make localities responsible for more prison inmates.
McDonnell moved to increase the cost of a speeding ticket by $1 for each mile per hour a driver exceeds the speed limit.
McDonnell signed legislation that will allow Virginians with concealed carry permits to take firearms into establishments that serve alcohol. The bill would not prevent restaurant and bar owners from banning all firearms in their establishments. The law, which takes effect July 1, prohibits gun-carrying customers from consuming alcohol in the establishments.
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Thank you Govenor McDonnell
Thank you for bringing integrity, values and morality to an office that has been lacking these values for the past 8 years. You are truly on the right path... Liberal Democrats despise and mock that which they can not understand... They can not fathom someone standing for what is truly right. Thank you Sir, and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth and this great Nation.
discrimination and bigotry does not
Discrimination and bigotry does not bring integrity, values or morality to anything.
Give me a break
So all it takes to have integrity, morals and values is to have a "R" behind your name? How shallow.
NO, all it takes to have
NO, all it takes to have integrity, morals and values is to ACTUALLY have integrity, morals and values.
"ACTUALLY have integrity, morals and values."
Like Bob McD saying that an unconstitutional taxing authority is constitutional?
Or repealing a discrimination law
and then asking people not to discriminate?
Other points in the signing
Does any other "specialty plate" in the DMV inventory have a caveat on how the money may be spent? Mickey D again injecting his own prejudice into the laws of the state.
BTW, a letter went out to people asking for voting right restoration, telling people they had to write an essay. Mickey D first said that it was just a suggestion, then he blamed a staffer, saying it went out without his knowledge. Either he is lying, or he doesn't have control over his own office.
mcd---------himself and staffers
McD's Confederate History Month left out slavery, and claimed it was an oversight. Who does he think he is kidding? Either he is stupid or his staff is. I suspect they are all like minded! So the discrimination and bigotry will continue.
Plate Caveats
If you mean do other speciality plates designate where some of the plate money goes, then the answer is a resounding yes.
Many of the "specialty plates" charge an additional annual fee - usually $25 - of which part or all of that $25 goes to the organization noted on the plate. For example, the Shenandoah National Park plate, here's a quote from the DMV's web site: Revenue Sharing: As a revenue sharing plate $15.00 of the $25.00 fee is transferred to SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK after sale of the first 1000 plates.
Rephrase
Let me make it clearer. I know that specialty plates are used for fundraising for various causes. No problem. What I DO have a problem with is the state (Mickey D) telling the sponsoring cause that it must not use the money for a specific purpose which is not personally acceptable to the gubnor, even though it may be legal.