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I know everyone is tired of the snow, the rain, the overcast skies. But there will be a little more sunshine in Virginia before too long. This isn’t a weather forecast. But thanks to SB 431, the books in Richmond will be easier to inspect.

Monday morning, the House Appropriations Sub-committee on Technology Oversight and Government Activities, amended, then passed unanimously SB 431. Later that day, it passed the full committee 22-0 and is on its way to the House floor.

The bill, patroned by Senator Mark Herring (D-33, Leesburg) builds on the landmark spending transparency bills last year by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24, Amherst) and then-Senator Ken Cuccinelli. Although it was more detailed in its original incarnation — it was stripped down due to the ever-present and dreaded “Fiscal Impact Statement” — it adds yet more sunshine to the current law. It will require each state agency to put their check and credit card purchases online, including a description of the good or service and the date of purchase. It also makes finding this information easier for citizen budget hawks — each agency must place an icon on its home page that links directly to a page that details its spending. Believe it or not, this simple procedure has been lacking and will make navigating the often confusing state spending trail much easier for concerned citizens, watchdog groups and grassroots organizations who care where or hard-earned tax dollars go.

Perhaps most important, it will save the Commonwealth money because the more people looking, the more waste and duplication is caught. This has been the case in every state that has opened itself up, and even with the federal government. After all, private citizens looking over the federal budget online detected the infamous “Bridge To Nowhere.”

Along with Senator Herring, thanks go to the sub-committee chairman, Delegate John O’Bannon (R-73, Henrico), who arranged the committee meeting late in session to guarantee the bill’s fair hearing. The Virginia Coalition For Open Government and Americans For Tax Reform joined us in supporting SB 431. Once passed by the full House, it will go back to the Senate to work out differences but is expected to maintain the features outlined above.

You never know during the General Assembly where a bill is going to come from that will give an unexpected lift for good policy and constitutional government. Sometimes, less publicized bills pop up on your radar screen and other times high profile bills crash and burn. Better the former than the latter when it actually accomplishes something.

There is a special election today in parts of Fairfax County for the 41st District House of Delegates seat, which was vacated when former Delegate Dave Marsden (D-37, Fairfax) won the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Ken Cuccinelli after he was elected Attorney General. You have until 7:00 p.m. to vote. The candidates are Republican Kerry Bolognese and Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn. Our sister organization, TFF Action, published and distributed a voter guide for this election. If you have not seen it and have not voted, or know people planning to vote, you still have time to read it yourself and e-mail it to others so they can make an informed decision.

Remember, special elections are very low-turnout affairs. Your vote is magnified in a special election. We hope the people of Fairfax in the 41st House of Delegates district are well informed as they go to the polls today.

Click here to see the TFF Action Voter Guide for the 41st District House of Delegates special election.

Even though the House of Delegates had its rules package ready to go and committee asignments set in short order, even with 20 new members, the Senate, controlled by Democrats, waited around for the result of Tuesday’s special election in the 37th Senate district. That seemed kind of strange, given that even with a win, which the Dems got, wouldn’t change the committee proportions. Besides, rules are adopted at the beginning of a legislative term and are supposed to last the entire term (in this case four years for the Virginia Senate).

Leave it to Democrat leadership to go for broke on both counts. They simply are not replacing committee seats of the departing senators (Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli and new Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle) with their replacements, or at least shuffling members around to keep the same committee proportions, they are radically altering the committees. Rosalind Helderman from the Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog has it all here, confirming the rumors (or nightmares, depending on your point of view) of the last few days. Among the details:

Instead, (Courts of Justice) will be allowed to drop from 16 members to 15. That means GOP representation on the committee will decrease from 7 of 16 members to 6 of 15.

There will be two new Democrats on the Courts of Justice Committee. Stolle is being replaced there by a Democrat. So is former Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, who resigned after he was elected state attorney general in November. Democratic Sen. David Marsden won Cuccinelli’s seat on Tuesday. Now, Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond) will be joining Courts.

So, there you go. So much for the new era of bipartisanship, or post partisanship, or the honeymoon period of a new governor brought in by a massive landslide. When it comes to making nice, Virginia’s Senate Dems don’t know how.

As we anticipated, Republican Kerry Bolognese has announced his intention to seek the 41st district House of Delegates seat (see statement), left vacant with the election of Dave Marsden to the Virginia Senate from the 37th Senate district in last Tuesday’s special election to fill the seat left vacant by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli. Bolognese ran an aggressive grassroots campaign in the Fairfax County district in the November general election and nearly defeated Marsden, falling short of a major upset by a couple of hundred votes. Because of that campaign, he may be considered the front runner and could give the House GOP a seventh new seat for this election cycle. Nothing says “favorite” louder than the date of the election set by Governor Tim Kaine — March 2. In the statement he released in announcing the election, he said:

It is important that the voters of the 41st district have a voice in the legislative process. Holding the special election on March 2 will not only give voters time to learn about the candidates, but will allow for the distribution and return of ballots from voters overseas, including our men and women in the armed forces.

So, the governor is going out on a humorous note: The election is scheduled just a week or so before the current General Assembly session ends. How much representation is that? It’s not as if he hasn’t schedule special elections in 30 days or less before, such as last year’s vote to replace former Delegate Brian Moran. The difference? The likelihood of a Democrat win.

Perhaps funnier is the altruism of counting the military’s ballots. Remember this? The Fairfax County registrar threatened not to count military ballots in 2008. It was then Attorney General Bob McDonnell who issued an opinion to count them while the governor remained silent; this while the same Fairfax registrar was registering inmates to vote.

Rumors are bouncing off the statues in Capitol Square and, for some Republicans, the inauguration bloom of its statewide sweep has come off before the big event Saturday.

It all has to do with the loss of Stephen Hunt to Dave Marsden in the 37th Senate district special election Tuesday to fill the seat left vacant with the election of Ken Cuccinelli as attorney general. A 300 vote loss which may put some close votes out of reach of Republicans in a Virginia Senate with an expanded Democrat majority in the will do that.

Among the small talk in the GAB and Capitol Square is that Cuccinelli wanted to “run” the campaign since he has an extensive and dedicated grassroots network in place, while the McDonnell people said it was now their turf as head of the party. Others say the loss belongs solely to those responsible for the lack of an absentee ballot apparatus that lost those votes by more than 400, more than the margin of difference. Others blame the Fairfax GOP, that they were lethargic and/or overconfident: While Hunt did well in Dem precincts, even winning some Cuccinelli lost in 2007, he didn’t have anywhere near Cuccinelli’s margins in Republican precincts.

Adding to the frustration — and infighting — is the other hot rumor: That a Democrat senator would have retired if Hunt had one, apparently one who represents a conservative district, allowing for another special election which would’ve tipped the chamber back to the GOP. Instead, the Dems, despite their November shallacking, are as emboldened as ever in the Senate, and prepared to stifle the new governor’s agenda.

It appears that a well run absentee ballot campaign was a crucial difference for Delegate Dave Marsden tonight in the Democrat’s win to fill the 37th Senate district seat vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli. Delegate Marsden defeated Republican Stephen Hunt by 11,943 to 11,626 with all 39 precincts reporting, according to the Fairfax County Registrar’s office. Delegate Marsden beat Hunt by more than 2-1 in absentee ballots: 800-395.

Delegate Marsden’s win extends the Democrats’ majority in the Virginia Senate to two seats, 22-18. It also will necessitate another special election to fill Marsden’s delegate seat. Republican Kerry Bolognese, who barely lost to Marsden in November, would seem to be an early favorite to win the seat should he choose to run.

Annotations & Elucidations

Brit And Tiger, Lisa And Isabella

The News Stand had an unexpected return to hiatus the last two days because of a sudden illness. The News is dominated by Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s cabinet — who he picked, how much salary they’ll make (his as well), and what they’ll be allowed to do in their off-time.  

In political news, the Washington Post looks at the issue of Delegate Dave Marsden’s residency in the 37th Senate district special election (January 12). Delegate Marsden, who is running against Republican Stephen Hunt, moved into the district only a few weeks ago and lives in a room in a friend’s house. Hunt, meanwhile, is hoping to hold the seat vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, and is expected to be the only candidate to appear tonight at the Fairfax Family Forum candidate forum. Meanwhile, values and faith issues occupy the National News and Commentary sections: The Isabella Miller custody case has the attention of Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams, who quotes our president, Victoria Cobb, and Fox News Channel’s Brit Hume has raised the hackles of some with his comments on Tiger Woods . . . specifically, how he can save his spiritual life through Jesus.  

News

Va. state Senate candidate Marsden faces residency issue (Washington Post)

McDonnell announces three more Cabinet choices (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell picks N.Va. executive for technology post (Washington Post)

McDonnell, Cabinet to take unspecified pay cuts (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell will reduce salaries (The Daily Press)

McDonnell vows to cut his own pay (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell OK with secretary on boards (Roanoke Times/Norfolk Virginian-Pliot)

Sledd defends keeping corporate board seats (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell to let Va. Cabinet heads serve on corporate boards (Washington Post)

Public can weigh in on state budget today (The Daily Press)

Two GOP lobbyists switching firms (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Loudoun County’s nondiscrimination policy expanded to protect gays (Washington Post)

Businessman Scott Rigell launches congressional campaign (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Contempt citation sought in same-sex custody case (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

Comments on Buddhism, Tiger Woods upset faithful (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gay-marriage foes slam plans to televise Prop 8 trial (Washington Times)

Commentary

*Custody case defies ideology in some ways (Michael Paul Williams/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Persecution for the Brit Hume Witness (Peter Sprigg/FRC Blog)

The January 12 special election to fill Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli’s Fairfax County seat in the Virginia Senate is hot as it is important. As such, we are redoubling our efforts to alert and educate voters in the 37th Senate district. Our Winning Matters campaign, which distributed nearly 1,000,000 voter guides statewide during the recent election, now is focused solely on this important Senate race in Fairfax County.

In addition, our grassroots chapter, the Fairfax Family Forum, is hosting a candidate forum tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Fair Oaks Church, 4601 West Ox Road. Democrat nominee, Delegate Dave Marsden, and Republican nominee, former Fairfax County School Board Member Steve Hunt, have been invited to discuss their positions on issues of concern to the faith community. They will also take questions from the audience. Please plan to attend this important event.

We have two Winning Matters area coordinators working in the county, as well as a project manager. The Family Foundation has produced a special voter guide for this election, available in English, Spanish and, for the first time ever, Korean. Our area coordinators are contacting hundreds of churches, pastors and volunteers, and have distributed 20,000 voter guides across the district.

Despite this success, because of the extremely short time frame, we have been unable to contact anyone in several of the churches. If you attend one of these churches, or know the pastor or a parishioner at one of these churches, please help us make a connection there. E-Mail Mark Earley, Jr., at mlearleyjr@gmail.com or Marlon-David Sias at mdsias@gmail.com  and let them know how you can help. The voter guides need to be in these churches for distribution this Sunday, January 10:

Abundant Life Family Church, Fairfax

Annandale Calvary Church Of The Nazarene, 8220 Little River Turnpike

Annandale Church Of Christ, 4709 Ravensworth Road

Annandale Wash. Good Shepherd Nazarene, 8220 Little River Turnpike

Antioch Baptist Church, 6531 Little Ox Road, Fairfax Station

Braddock Missionary Baptist Church, 12326 Braddock Road, Fairfax

Calvary Church Of The Nazarene, 8220 Little River Turnpike, Annandale

Calvary Hill Baptist Church, 9301 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax

Centerpointe Church At Fair Oaks, 4104 Legato Road, Fairfax

Centreville Assembly Of God, 14821 Lee Highway

Centreville Church Of Christ, 13919 Braddock Road

Centreville Community Bible Church, 15109 Carlbern Drive

Centreville Community Church, 15301 Lee Highway

Centro Evangelistico El Refugio, 25207 Elk Lick Road, Chantilly

Chantilly Baptist Church, 14312 Chantilly Baptist Lane

Christ Church, 8285 Glen Eagles Lane, Fairfax Station

Christian Fellowship Church, 10237 Leesburg Pike, Burke

Church At Northern Virginia, 10922 Vale Road, Oakton

Church Of Love And Truth, 209 Oak Street Southwest, Vienna

Church Of The Apostles, 3500 Pickett Road, Fairfax

Clifton Baptist Church, 7152 Main Street

Community Baptist Church, 10112 Community Lane, Fairfax Station

Community Bible Church, 4400 Fair Lake Court, Suite 60, Fairfax

Diaspora Fellowship Church, 9304 Nester Road, Fairfax

Dulles Family Life Church Nazarene, 14740-H Flint Lee Road, Chantilly

Fairfax Baptist Church, 10830 Main Street

Fairfax Church Of Christ, 3901 Rugby Road

Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road

Fairfax-Lee Highway Church Of God, 14740-H Flint Lee Road, Chantilly

Faith Baptist Church, 301 Center Street South, Burke

Faith For Living Church Of God, 12901 Lee Side Court

First Baptist Church Of Vienna, 450 Orchard Street

Grace Fellowship Church, 25350 Poland Road, Chantilly

Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna

Immanuel Korean Baptist Church, 5020 Marshall Crown Road, Centreville

International Baptist Alexandria, Annandale

Knollwood Community Church, 10000 Coffer Woods Road, Burke

Koinos Fellowship Church, 43844 Churchill Glen Drive, Chantilly

Korean Presbyterian Church Of Centreville, 25454 Gum Spring Road, Chantilly

Living Covenant Church, 14637 Lee Highway, Suite 102, Oakton

Living Savior Lutheran, 5500 Ox Road, Fairfax Station

Maranatha Baptist Church, 3511 Annandale Road, Annandale

Mok Yang Presbyterian Church Mission, 6608 Little Ox Road, Fairfax

New Creation Mission, Centreville

New Hope Presbyterian Church, Fairfax City

Nova Worship Center, 14740 Flint Lee Road-Unit H, Chantilly

Ox Hill Baptist Church, 4101 Elmwood Street, Chantilly

Parkwood Baptist Church 8726 Braddock Road, Annandale

Pleasant Valley Assembly Of God, 25207 Elk Lick Road, Chantilly

Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield

Prosperity Baptist, 42962 Braddock Road, Chantilly

Springfield Church Of Christ, 7512 Old Keene Mill Road

Truro Church, 10520 Main Street, Fairfax

Washington Bible Baptist Church, 14701 Lee Highway, Centreville

Washington Grace, Fairfax

During the recent statewide campaign, we and our sister organization, TFF Action, ran an unprecedented — and massively successful — voter education campaign, Winning Matters. Although we anticipated a wind down after the election in November, Winning Matters remains in high gear for the crucial special election for the 37th district Virginia Senate seat (in Fairfax, January 12) vacated by Republican Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli.

Winning Matters retained a staff of three (two field reps in Fairfax and a project manager) which has produced, and is distributing, thousands of paper and online voter guides in English, Spanish and Korean to churches, civic groups and area businesses. It also is providing absentee ballot applications for people not be able to vote in person on the 12th. Winning Matters also is working with churches to announce the election and/or put it in their bulletins as a reminder to their members to go out and vote.

If you are interested in helping Winning Matters with this crucial special election, between Republican Stephen Hunt and Democrat Dave Marsden, especially within your church, please contact Roger Pogge at 804-343-0010 or e-mail him at roger@familyfoundation.org. 

Although the campaign is a short one, it has been hot for a while, probably because it is so crucial to the makeup of the Virginia Senate, which the Democrats currently control by one seat. Among the issues: Marsden now claims to be for lower taxes, despite his history of votes to raise them; the fact that he moved into a friend’s house to be eligible to run for the seat; and, of course, it wouldn’t be a campaign in Virginia if life and abortion weren’t part of the (misleading) discussion. If Hunt wins for the GOP, it will remain within striking distance of winning crucial votes, with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling breaking ties. If Marsden pulls it out for the Dems, the left will have a little leeway with a second vote to spare. One seat might not sound like much, but whoever wins the election can change the dynamics of the entire Virginia Senate. Which is why winning matters.

Annotations & Elucidations

Even On New Year’s Day . . .

The News Stand is back after a Christmas/New Year’s break. Not much comment today. With a new administration and two months of General Assembly upcoming, there will be plenty of news upon which to comment in the days and weeks ahead. For now, take a look at some articles of interest to ween you back into the Virginia political mindset: The Wall Street Journal’s Brendan Miniter profiles Governor-elect Bob McDonnell while the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Roanoke Times bid adieu to Governor Tim Kaine; the Washington Times examines McDonnell’s call to eliminate the governor’s one term limit; the Washington Post looks areas of the Virginia budget that may no longer be sacrosanct from cuts; and the AP reports that 13 attorneys general, including outgoing Virginia AG Bill Mims, are  threatening a lawsuit over the pending nationalized health care legislation — and they are not all “red” state AGs, either. We anticipate that Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli will continue Virginia’s participation in the proceedings should the legislation become law.  

But, just to show you it’s always something around here, in case you missed it, CNN called us for a New Year’s Day interview regarding the Isabella Miller custody case. So, below, we posted the video of the report which includes reporter Mary Snow’s interview with Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb.

News:

Back to GOP Basics (Wall Street Journal Online)

Parts of Virginia’s budget may no longer be off-limits (Washington Post)

Kaine had wins but took some lumps as governor (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

A term of crisis: Gov. Tim Kaine exit interview (Roanoke Times)

Va. GOP names new executive director (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va.’s McDonnell seeks end to term limit (Washington Times)

Va. mom fails to hand over daughter in custody dispute (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National:

13 attorneys general threaten suit over health care (AP/Roanoke Times)

Video:

*Lesbian Custody Battle (2:13) (CNN.com)

Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb speaks to CNN on New Year’s Day about Lisa Miller apparently running away with her daughter, Isabella.