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A proposal from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to restore civil rights to nonviolent felons has been rejected by fellow Republicans in the House of Delegates.
Less than a week after McDonnell surprised lawmakers by urging them to support restoring rights such as running for public office and serving on a jury to some categories of ex-convicts, a GOP-dominated House subcommittee has killed the legislation.
The move came in spite of support from Virginia's top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who testified in support. Cuccinelli, who is running for governor in this year's election, advocated putting a specific list of nonviolent felonies eligible for the restoration in the state's code.
In addition to testifying in favor of the legislation, Cuccinelli issued two official opinions aimed at strengthening the power of the governor's office to restore civil rights to felons who have served their full sentences; opinions he might make use of, if he's elected to the office.
House Democrats, including Del. Charnielle Herring of Alexandria, were disappointed at the proposal's rejection.
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FBI agents believe they have a credible lead on the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa's body. If they're right, it will solve a longstanding mystery, which will also deflate Hoffa's resonance in popular culture.The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes
Did a 10-pound bag of potatoes really cost $15 back in 2008? We get to the bottom of some puzzling numbers in the lawsuit alleging America's potato growers have become a spud cartel.House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law.U.S. Automakers Are On A Roll, But Hiring Is Slow And Steady
Profits for the nation's carmakers are on the rise, but after years of doing more with less, higher profits are unlikely to translate into significant numbers of new jobs. There are eight fewer plants and hundreds of thousands fewer workers in the industry than before the Great Recession.Leave a Comment
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