Richmond VA Jan 16 2013
A House of Delegates subcommittee on Monday effectively killed proposals to automatically restore voting rights of nonviolent felons, which Gov. Bob McDonnell had called for in his State of the Commonwealth Address last week.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly testified in favor of the constitutional amendment, yet a majority Republican subcommittee of the Privileges and Elections Committee voted down several bills that had been introduced by both Democratic and GOP lawmakers in a bipartisan effort.
"I am very disappointed in today’s vote against these constitutional amendments," McDonnell said in a statement after the vote. "Automatic restoration of constitutional rights will help reintegrate individuals back into society and prevent future crimes, which means fewer victims and a safer Virginia."
The subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments rolled together a series of bills to restore rights for nonviolent felons and then voted 6-1 to defeat the measures. Del. Peter F. Farrell, R-Henrico, sponsored one of the spiked bills.
While the measures appear dead in the GOP-dominated House, the Senate will take up a similar proposal and could advance it to the House.
Democrats, who have fought for automatic restoration of civil rights for decades and were hoping to see legislation passed this year, did not hide their bitterness.
"The defeat of these bills, several of which were supported by the governor, is very sad," said House Minority Leader David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville. "It is yet another example of how the House Republican leadership seeks to limit transparent debate on critical issues by scheduling hearings in subcommittees on very short notice at times when it is difficult for Virginia citizens to attend."
Del. Rosalyn R. Dance, D-Petersburg, said that "House Republicans slammed the door on Gov. McDonnell’s initiative and the hopes of thousands of Virginia residents."
Later on Monday, Dance also addressed the House, asking the panel to reconsider. "I feel that this issue is deserving of a full debate on the House floor," Dance said.
Del. Gregory D. Habeeb, R-Salem, sponsored one of the measures that was voted down.
"I am disappointed in the outcome this morning," Habeeb said. "However, our work does not end here and I am optimistic about the future of this legislation," he said.
Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said he opposes such an amendment because most first-time offenders do not serve any prison time and hardly pay any debt to society.
"These are not people we ask of much," he said. "All we ask them is to show a little personal responsibility and fill out a simple application [for rights restoration]," Gilbert said.
But Cuccinelli, like McDonnell, would rather streamline the process and do away with all applications.
"The governor and the secretary (of the commonwealth) have done spectacular work in bringing standardization and a methodical and reliable approach that bears on the side of forgiveness to this process," Cuccinelli said.
Later in the afternoon, Cuccinelli — the presumptive Republican nominee for governor — said that he won’t give up on this issue. "I encourage other members of the General Assembly to join me in this important fight," he said.
Terry McAuliffe, Cuccinelli’s likely opponent in the race for governor, also weighed in. "I applaud Governor McDonnell for his support for the legislation and strongly encourage the House and Senate to do the right thing and advance this bill," he said in a statement.
In the subcommittee, five Republicans and one Democrat voted to spike the bills — Dels. Jackson H. Miller, R-Manassas; Timothy D. Hugo, R-Fairfax; David I. Ramadan, R-Loudoun; Israel D. O’Quinn, R-Bristol; Johnny S. Joannou, D-Portsmouth and Mark L. Cole, R-Spotsylvania. Voting in favor of the bills was Del. Algie T. Howell, D-Norfolk.
The subcommittee’s action was also criticized by Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., who as governor restored voting privileges to 3,486 nonviolent felons — more than all of his predecessors combined, according to his office.
"It is very disappointing that this bipartisan legislation has been blocked at the starting point of a two-year process that would allow Virginia voters to weigh in on a common-sense step already in place in virtually every other state," Warner said in a statement.
Warner added that he encourages the Virginia Senate to move forward on its own versions of this legislation, "so that the House of Delegates will have another opportunity this year to consider this bipartisan approach to restoration of rights."
More than 450,000 Virginians are currently barred from exercising their right to vote because of a felony conviction, according to a study. In the past three years, McDonnell has restored the voting rights of 4,500 applicants.
A constitutional amendment to automate rights restoration requires approval by two separate legislative sessions of the General Assembly, with an election for the House of Delegates in between, before it can be put to a referendum by voters.
Source:Daily Progress