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At the beginning of this year’s General Assembly session, pregnancy resource centers were in the crosshairs of the abortion industry. From a press conference releasing a now debunked report about PRCs, to legislation that would have burdened them with unnecessary regulations, Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia must have thought they were well on their way to putting their competition out of business.

What a difference a few weeks — and the truth — makes.

Yesterday, instead of finalizing anti-PRC legislation, the House (HJ 435) and Senate (SJ 265) passed identical resolutions honoring the work of pregnancy resource centers across the commonwealth. This took place despite a frantic effort by NARAL to derail the resolutions (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). The resolutions were introduced at the request of The Family Foundation.

Earlier this session, the anti-PRC legislation was defeated in House and Senate sub-committees, with the Senate patron, Dr. Ralph Northam (D-6, Norfolk), actually asking for his own bill (SB 188) to be defeated. This happened in a sub-committee meeting, that he chaired, where the truth about the work of PRCs was presented through personal testimonies from young women who received support from PRCs in their time of need.

The Family Foundation was honored to work with so many great PRC directors who serve women and families in crisis each and every day. (Click here to read more about the battle in this Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star op-ed.) We especially thank Senator Jill Vogel (R-27, Winchester) and Delegate Chris Stolle, MD (R-83, Virginia Beach) for introducing these commending resolutions on behalf of Virginia’s pregnancy resource centers.

Virginia’s PRCs are grateful, too. Below is a letter we received from one center after the news the two resolutions were passed:

Thank you so much for all your work on the front lines for family values in Virginia. We continue to thank God for you all. The help and guidance that you and the FF team provided to the Virginia Directors in mid January was deeply appreciated. Weren’t we all amazed by the miraculous ways in which God moved in the Health subcommittee on January 26, 2010. I truly will never forget that day!!!!

News from the Family Foundation this morning regarding the resolutions honoring the work of PRC’s across the Commonwealth, requested by the FF and passed in both House and Senate yesterday, has truly been humbling in light of all you have already done for us. Thank you so much for your partnership in standing for life in the Commonwealth of Virginia and for the tremendous work that you do both in session season and out. May God continue to bless you all.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

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.

Yesterday, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell (see his statement) urged a revamping of Virginia’s budget process, one as peculiar as the one-term gubernatorial limit (Washington Times), keeping a campaign promise he and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling made in September. As it is now, the Old Dominion’s two-year budget is proposed by the governor in even years, meaning the lame duck outgoing governor proposes one while the incoming governor is still moving furniture into the executive mansion. It’s up to the new guy and the General Assembly to amend it, while the old guy laughs at them stumbling all over themselves (Richmond Times-Dispatch). It also means a governor only has one opportunity to thoroughly shape fiscal policy and spending priorities during his one term — the two year budget beginning with the second even year of his term (Washington Examiner).

So, Governor-elect McDonnell proposes to move the governor’s budget submission to odd number years (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). Not a bad idea. He even has Governor Tim Kaine’s support (whose outgoing, tax-increase laden budget is a great impetus for this change) as well as that of key lawmakers, and it was recommended as far back as 2002 from the Wilder Commission that studied ways to improve efficiency in state government. 

But another idea has floated through Capitol Square in recent years: Keep the even year cycle, but let the new governor do the proposing. To give him time, move the legislative session back a month or two. That way, he can propose two full budgets and the next governor can start with a clean slate. Under the odd year proposal, a new governor would take office in the middle of a already adopted two-year budget (better than the current system) and could propose amendments. But why not have the governor do what he was elected to do and have an impact the entire four year term? Besides, starting the legislative session in January can be such a bummer coming off the holiday season. Never does such good cheer turn to agony so fast.

Bob McDonnell will hardly have moved in before he has to start tearing up Governor Tim Kaine’s proposed lame duck budget.

The nearly 1,300 pro-family Virginians who gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center last night at The Family Foundation of Virginia’s Annual Gala were treated to a fantastic evening of inspiration, motivation and topped off by a wonderful keynote address by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The host of the Fox News Channel hit Huckabee was in great form with an inspirational speech filled with philosophy, morality, Biblical principles, humor (lava soap, anyone?) and capped with a moving exposition as to what happens when people ignore the tragedies around them (see Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). 

Just a week before election day, it was abundantly clear that pro-family citizens are excited about the future and are mobilized to act. The energy in the convention center was palpable. From the beginning of the program with an inspirational rendition of our National Anthem by eight-year-old Alana Springsteen to the final special music by April Lee, no one could leave room last night not feeling excited about the future of Virginia and the future of The Family Foundation.

Governor Huckabee combined humor with personal stories and an emotional challenge to the crowd, encouraging them to fight for our freedom, regardless of the cost. Touching on his time as a pastor and then as a politician, he made it abundantly clear that there is no time when Christians should abandon politics and government. Instead, we must continue to fight for our values to ensure a prosperous future.

As Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb told the audience:

We look forward to election day this year with cautious optimism. One might even say we look forward to the future with hope for change. Yet, while we may anticipate electoral victory, we realize that it is just one small part of the cultural renewal that we seek, and there is so much more to be done. The Family Foundation has had one of the busiest years in our history, but the results on Election Day are not the completion of our work – just a new beginning. 

The Family Foundation Gala has become the largest pro-family gathering of its kind in Virginia and Governor Huckabee’s message was perfect for the evening. Joining the him in the program were our emcee, and new Chaplain to The Family Foundation’s Pastors For Family Values, Bishop Earl Jackson; Speaker of the House Bill Howell, who introduced Governor Huckabee; and Pastor Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, who gave the invocation and voiced strong support for the Family Foundation’s work.

Also last evening, Delegate Glenn Oder (R-94, Newport News) was honored with The Family Foundation’s Legislator of the Year Award for his leadership on payday lending reform (see The Shad Plank). Delegate Oder showed principled leadership and an ability to work with a diverse coalition of organizations and legislators to get results on a tough issue. The compromise bill he was able to craft has significantly reduced the number of payday lending stores in Virginia and helped protect families from predatory lenders.

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Day After

Wow! What an evening last night! We’ll have a review and other highlights later, and hopefully some video later in the week. Mike Huckabee brought down the Greater Richmond Convention Center with an inspirational speech filled with philosophical overtones overlayed with moral and Biblical principles, capped with a moving exposition as to what happens when people stand idly by and ignore the events around them. We have coverage from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog and The Shad Plank Blog.

Meanwhile, President Obama is in Norfolk today to campaign for Democrat Creigh Deeds. If he’s truly the chosen one, he should be able to raise this campaign from the dead, right? As he passes the gates of D.C. into Virginia, the POTUS will see a new Post poll that shows Republican candidate Bob McDonnell stretching his lead to 11 points. He leads in campaign donations, too, the latest filing reports show.

In Commentary, Thomas Sowell looks at the dismantling of America, Bobby Eberle excoriates Republicans and the president, and Richard Olivastro reports on an “under God” button controversy. There’s more, too, as well as a full National News section. Read up! We’re only a week away.

*McDonnell leads Deeds in poll, cash (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

*Huckabee draws a crowd in Richmond (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

*Huckabee in Richmond tonight as Del. Oder snags award . . . (The Shad Plank Blog)

McDonnell’s edge over Deeds grows stronger (Washington Post)

Heading into homestretch, McDonnell has more cash (Roanoke Times)

Competition for 17th District House of Delegates seat in home stretch (Roanoke Times)

National News:

No guarantees on Senate health bill’s public plan (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Long-term care insurance program gains in the House (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Pelosi: ‘There’s got to be a better name for this’ (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate Leader Harry Reid faces tough re-election (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama admin concerned about freedom of speech (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

Dismantling America (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s War On Fox Is Liberalism’s War On Dissent (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

‘One Nation Under God’ Button ‘Terminated’ (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

Scratch Another GOP Candidate Off The List For 2012 (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

Message to Republican Leaders: Get a Clue! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Obama Bails Out When Asked About Fox News (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Governor Tim Kaine, who doubles as the chairman of the Democrat National Committee, got a dressing down from a senior Congressional Dem the other day. U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D – Minn.), a chairman himself — of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, one of the most important in Congress because of the mammoth amount of money it spends each year — sent Chairman Governor Kaine a harsh letter for Virginia’s 51st place ranking among the states and D.C. in spending of “federal” money for transportation projects.

You remember those projects, the ones that were “shovel ready” and supposedly would lift us out of the recession. You know, the same Governor Kaine (contact here) who is so concerned about Virginia’s transportation problems that he’s tried to raise our taxes ever year in office, including the first week of his tenure, even after campaigning that he would not raise taxes; the same governor who wanted to tax gas when it was $4.00 a gallon? The same governor Creigh Deeds says he’ll model himself after?

Here’s an excerpt from Rep. Oberstar’s letter (read the entire volley here):

Based on the State progress reports submitted to the Committee in September 2009, Virginia has fallen far behind other States in putting to work its Recovery Act Highway formula funds. According to submissions received from all States and the District of Columbia, your State ranks last among all States (51 out of 51) based on an analysis of percentage of Recovery Act Highway formula funds put out to bid, under contract and underway.

As of August 31, Virginia had begun construction of projects totaling only 17 percent of the State’s funding.

I strongly urge you to refocus your efforts to implement the Recovery Act and use the available funds to create and sustain family-wage jobs. These jobs are critical to Virginia’s and the nation’s long-term economic growth.

In August 2009, almost six months after enactment of the Recovery Act, I sent letters to the best and worst performers in putting to work Recovery Act highway funds. Since then, we have watched many states move aggressively. … 

Regrettably, Virginia is not among these States.

Anita Kumar of the Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog has the complete story in two parts: Her initial post (here) and a follow-up (here). We’re sure Governor Kaine will have a private response to Rep. Oberstar, who should know this is no way to address the chairman, especially when it validates the governor’s critics — the same critics he’s tried to ostracize, demagogue and steamroll the last four years — and undercuts his gubernatorial nominee.

Some have wondered if the now open 69th House seat, comprised mainly of South Richmond (and a precinct or two in Chesterfield County), now open because of long-time Democrat Frank Hall’s resignation to accept an ABC judgeship, will have a Republican candidate this November (see Tertium Quids here, which also discusses the likely Democrat candidate). It is a majority-minority district, although Hall, who is white, has been able to hold the seat for some time. The likely new Democrat nominee will be black. But there are a few signs this part of Richmond is dissatisfied with the status quo. So, can a Republican — a black Republican — who’s a successful professional, with a hard-working ethic, and ties to the community, connect with the electorate there for an open seat?

Last night, in Alexandria, in fact, a GOP-backed independent, Alicia Hughes, who is black, as well as GOP nominee Frank Fannon IV, won city council seats in a shocking upsets of Democrat incumbents (see Peter Roff of Fox Forums, here). A significant issue was the Democrat majority (there have been no Republicans on Alexandria’s City Council for years) raising property taxes without pause, even as home values decreased.

For weeks now, there has been an all-but-official black Republican interested in running for the 69th House District, but at his request we’ve kept it quiet until he made it official. However, today, with the release of an e-mail by the Richmond City unit chairman and the launch of a Web site, it’s pretty much official that financial services professional Ernesto Sampson will give it a go.

It won’t be easy by any means — some party regulars on both sides shy away from running candidates in districts dominated by the opposite party because they are afraid of generating turn out of marginal party-line voters which can hurt other candidates on the ticket. Will typical party-line voting hold sway this year, no matter the issues or candidates? 

It will be interesting, at the very least, to see if Sampson can make a compelling case in a strongly Democrat area, as Republicans have in Northern Virginia recently, including last night’s stunners in equally urban and liberal Alexandria (see Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). It will be equally interesting to see if he can do it on a strongly innovative and conservative platform.

Sorry for the late arriving delivery of the News Stand. But there’s lots to ponder today.

The gubernatorial campaign is red hot now, make no mistake: Dems going after GOP nominee-to-be Bob McDonnell, House Republicans and each other; national figures weighing in; and, it wouldn’t be a Terry McAuliffe moment if some financial investigation into an associate isn’t involved — and it’s not the Clintons, either, even though Bill announced he’d come campaign for him. That only prompted a reply from former Delegate Brian Moran. (He’s had contributions questioned, as well, as many come from people with business in front of his brother, U.S. Representative Jim Moran). It’s nothing but back and forth and side to side right now. Imagine what it will be like October. But, you know . . . hmmmmmm. Something . . . some one seems missing. Just can’t think of who that might be.

In other campaign news, the House’s longest serving member, and one of only two independents in the entire General Assembly, Lacey Putney of Bedford, says he wants another two years. Doubtless, he’ll get them. 

Aside from all that, there’s some serious news today. A federal court judge is imposing his will on the FDA and requiring the morning after pill to be made available to 17-year-olds. Amazing! So, we have another first (see Tuesday) at the News Stand: We’re leading off with a video, because our very own Victoria Cobb is featured in it. She was interviewed by the Richmond CBS affiliate about the court decision. (See, hear and read all video and audio interviews, and blog references to us at our Online News Room.)

There’s a lot of links below, but several are of the brief variety from the very informative Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog. We hope you enjoy it all.

Video:

*Morning After Pill Debate (WTVR-TV/CBS6, Richmond)

News:

In the Governor’s Race, Chasing the Political Punching Bag (Washington Post)

Campaign Contributions: Virginia Democrats clash over cash (The Daily Press)

Fact Checker: Democrats at Candidates’ Forum (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Moran releases his schools plan (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell Begins Online Ad Campaign (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McAuliffe’s Top Donor Touched by AIPAC Investigation (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Virginia Partisans Back Moran (Washington Post Virginia Politcs Blog)

Bill Clinton to campaign for McAuliffe (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Moran Responds to Clinton Visit (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

National GOP Getting Involved in AG’s Race (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Republicans Fight Back on Unemployment Dollars (Washington Post Virginia Politcs Blog)

Va.’s longest-serving delegate to seek another term (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. Democratic party leads in cash (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Major Payday lender is leaving Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News:

17-Year-Olds to Gain Access to Plan B Pill (Washington Post)

It’s April so that means three things in Virgilankingnia politics: Veto Session, Shad Planking and campaigns in full swing. They usually coincide to some (or large) degree. But there’s something different this year:  Gubernatorial candidate Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25, Bath) is avoiding the Shad Planking. That’s almost unheard of for a statewide candidate. Who knows? If he wins the governorship, maybe it’ll start a trend.

Meanwhile, Governor Tim Kaine faces veto override threats on several bills, including those dealing with the death penalty and accepting strings-attached “stimulus” money for extended unemployment insurance — paid for by tax increases on business, since the fees it pays into that program fund it.

In another state’s news that may have national implications, Iowans are fighting back against the edict by its supreme court inventing a “right” to same-sex “marriage.” Also, Newt Gingrich talks, albeit briefly, about his conversion to Catholicism. Finally, check out one legal organization’s unique avenue to challenge the federal bailout to AIG. 

News:

Kaine’s vetoes facing his foes (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Deeds Will Not Speak At Shad Planking (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Big money flows to Virginia race for governor (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds files petitions for Virginia governor’s race (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell calls for unity after leading ouster of party chairman (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Rejected GOP Chief To Run Again in Va. (Washington Post)

Battle over bingo laws in Va. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News:

Conservative Iowans fight to preserve traditional (OneNewsNow.com)

Does AIG Bailout Violate Establishment Cause? (OneNewsNow.com)

Gingrich tight-lipped on Catholic conversion (OneNewsNow.com)