RestonWeb

Bob Bruhns

I received this by e-mail from John Neil.

I agree with John, it looks like the anti-enforcement people in the General Assembly are at it again.
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Hello -

It is my understanding that HB 2021 which is Tom Rust's NOL (No Operators License) bill will be discussed in the Senate's Courts and Justice Committee tomorrow (Wednesday). Apparently Janet Howell and Ken Stolle (among others) are not convinced that it is a good idea for all drivers to be legally licensed when driving a vehicle...

See details of the legislation at this link:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+sum+HB2021

You can also use the above link to find contact info for all members of the Senate Courts and Justice Committee.

If you are inclined to contact anyone about this legislation, I encourage you to let Ken Stolle and Janet Howell know how you feel. Howell is the senator that represents the 32nd district which includes Herndon and Stolle represents the 8th district down in VA Beach. Stolle has been a senator since 1992 and he has considerable influence...

Here is their contact info in Richmond:

Senator Janet D. Howell
(D) - Senate District 32
E-mail: district32@senate.virginia.gov
General Assembly Building, Room 321
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7532

Senator Kenneth W. Stolle
(R) - Senate District 8
email: district08@senate.virginia.gov
General Assembly Building, Room 426
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7508

Thanks,

John Neil
_________________
Government debt and deficits are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:38 am Post subject:

Here is what I wrote to both e-mail addresses:

friend04 · Longtime Member Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 2195

Janet Howell is a sensible and practical person, and it is ludicrous and offensive for John Neil to claim that she doesn't think drivers should be licensed. More likely, she has read this proposal and sees that it adds nothing to the laws that are already on the books, is motivated by the Herndon anti-immigration fever, and is a complete waste of legislative time and energy.

I have written her a note of support to maintain her reasonable approach and focus on things we actually need.

AlexS · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bob, I'll put out the word. More and more people are agreeing that Howell is a do nothing in the GA.

friend04 · Longtime Member Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 2195

Janet Howell has an impressive list of accomplishments in the General Assembly over several terms in office -- just because she doesn't agree with your one-issue position on illegal immigration doesn't make her a "do nothing". My recollection is that she has run without opposition in the last several elections, which would indicate that her constituents approve of what she is doing.

stix · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:10 am Post subject:

AlexS · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:29 am Post subject:

Ken Plum has run unopposed as well - and he too is a do nothing representative - unless repeated failed bills and renaming streets counts for anything. Plum is quite puffed up about this and attributes his longevity to having the voters ear (or so he thinks).

The truth is, the cost to launch a campaign is monstrous and a huge factor when throwing your hat in the ring. And, most GA representatives are either self-employed or work at jobs with very flexible attendance requirements …. or, have a rich uncle.

=========

Most GA representative hopefuls do not have a pot o gold from which they can pull out upwards to a quarter million dollars to run a campaign. Nor can they afford to quit their jobs or take an extended leave of absence to play partisan games in Richmond.

Yet, these are the very people who are have their ears close to the ground and more in tune with the needs of the state .. the ones who are willing to make the tough calls rather than play partisan games while one eye is always on the war chest.

=========

If the old timers in the GA are half as great as they try to pass themselves off to be, they would be able to pass some bills that actually benefit the state - or at the very least pass a bill once in a while.

Every time I get an E-Newsletter from Plum, it says: "I introduced my bill again and it failed; "I introduced a new bill but it failed" or "I didn't vote for that bill."

Never once has Plum or Howell said, "My bill, which I think is a good one, didn't make it through twice (or three times), so I modified it slightly to still be of benefit, but not compromise the intent, and it passed."

Even at "town hall meetings," if a question is raised that is contrary to either's agenda, they will skirt it or try to demean the person asking the question. I recall one such meeting where a woman asked how her neighborhood could be protected from the growing number of bording houses. Plum hem'd & haw'd - as he usually does. Janet, in her usually blase way, said (paraphrased) "not my job ma'am." When asked this question of a Board Supervisor, the answer was very much the same.

Even though many people I know have sent emails or called asking Howell to vote for this bill, I have no doubt she will fall back onto her pat answer - not my job - while voting for bills to reduce police coverage.

There are some representatives in the GA who really are there to make the state better. For most, however, it's simply a highlight on their resume. As with most resume highlights, you don't really have to do anything to sound impressive, you just have to have a way with words to make it LOOK impressive.

Tanten · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 837

Good morning, AlexS!!! Rolling Eyes

Tanten · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 837

Bob

Who is John Neil?

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

He is a local activist who uses his real name, Tanten. You'll often see him at the polls at election time.
_________________
Government debt and deficits are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

friend04 · Longtime Member Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 2195

AlexS -- Janet Howell has sponsored or co-sponsored hundreds of bills that have passed the general assembly in the 16 years she has served our district. Unlike you, she is not a single-issue politician, so her work has covered a variety of areas including crime issues.

Major bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Janet Howell that have passed:
(complete list available on the general assembly website)

Technology Zones
Omnibus Family Violence Prevention Bill
Drive-Through Deliveries (Maternal and Infant Insurance Coverage)
Protective Order Reform
Genetic Information Privacy Act
Sex Offender Registry
Megan’s Law (Internet Notification)
Value Engineering by VDOT
Enhanced Sentences for Crimes Against Children
Stormwater Management
Anti-Stalking
Police Support for Alzheimer’s Patients
Insurance Coverage for Diabetics
Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse
Good Samaritan Act for Free Dental and Health Clinics
Preservation of Georgetown Pike
Interest on Child Support Arrearages
Technology Tax Credit
Marital Rape Statute of Limitations
Victim Notification

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

Chester · Longtime Member Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 2194

Another related bill is going through the house.

HB 1695 Driving without a license; person may be placed under arrest if previously convicted of offense.

sponsored by Delegate David B. Albo (R) - House District 42 (Springfield)

Driving without an operator's license. Provides that any person who drives without an operator's license may be placed under arrest, fingerprinted and the arrest reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange if the general district court for the jurisdiction has approved arrest for the offense of driving without an operator's license.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+sum+HB1695

AlexS · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

That one's been around before - Both Janet and Ken voted against it.

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

I received this by e-mail from John Neil.
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Hello again -

HB2021 is close to dying in the Courts and Justice Committee.

HB2021 progress summary

It is possible that this committee will discuss HB2021 on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 8 AM. This is probably the last chance for this bill this year. If one of the following Senators can be convinced that there is public support for HB2021, then it has a chance.

Senator Kenneth W. Stolle (R) - VA Beach District 8 - Phone (804) 698-7508

Senator Janet D. Howell (D) - Reston/Herndon District 32 - Phone (804) 698-7532

Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) - Portsmouth District 18 - Phone (804) 698-7518

Senator Linda T. Puller (D) - Mount Vernon District 36 - Phone (804) 698-7536

Senator Richard L. Saslaw (D) - Springfield District 35 - Phone (804) 698-7535

Most likely converts are Stolle, Howell and Lucas. Please call them today if you can and let the aides in their office know if you support HB2021.

Thanks,

John Neil
_________________
Government debt and deficits are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/