Dear friends,
In the lawless style of President Obama, last month, Governor McAuliffe thumbed his nose at Article 5, Section 12 of the Virginia Constitution by issuing an executive order restoring civil rights to over 200,000 convicted felons, including violent felony offenders.
When will his madness end? Governor McAuliffe has no problem with policies that allow felons and convicted rapists open access to women’s bathrooms yet he supports giving them back their voting rights and blocking laws that would allow voter rolls to be updated and registrars to ask if a voter is a US citizen. This is PC garbage on steroids.
First let me say I agree that helping people return to normal productive lives after serving time for a felony or any other crime is right and proper. Returning to normal life does not necessarily mean the right to vote should be automatically restored. The law in Virginia requires the restoration of voting rights be done on a case-by-case basis, and if anyone, including the Governor, wants to change that, just follow the law by involving the people and legislature of Virginia.
In 2010, counsel to Governor Tim Kaine said a mass order restoring rights would not be a contemplated use of executive authority and would be a “rewrite of the law.”
And in 2013, a bipartisan commission on the restoration of rights concluded that the Governor did not have the authority to institute an automatic, self-executing restoration of rights order.
Despite these legal opinions, Governor McAuliffe is moving forward.
I am very pleased to let you know Virginia’s House and Senate Republicans have retained attorney Charles J. Cooper to examine the legal options to remedy this situation. Mr. Cooper is a well-qualified attorney who worked under President Reagan and has argued cases before the Supreme Court. We are confident we will prevail in court.
Will you help support our efforts? Click here to add your name and oppose the Governor’s executive order.
We are prepared to fight the Governor, but we cannot do it without your help.
Add your name to our list of supporters and tell Governor McAuliffe that we will not allow this blatant disregard to the Constitution and rule of law to go unchecked.
Sign your name here.
MY LAWSUIT vs. AG HERRING
While the Caucus is going to sue McAuliffe, the clock is ticking on Attorney General Mark Herring to reply to my lawsuit demanding he stop hiding from my lawful request for an advisory opinion on a very important question. Wednesday, May 11, is his deadline to respond to my petition for writ of mandamus filed in the Circuit Court in Richmond.
As a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, the law requires the Attorney General provide an official Advisory Opinion when I request one. Last September, I called AG Herring out by asking him a very simple question on sex discrimination. Part of that request was for a legal definition of the phrases ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’. I believe the reason AG Herring is afraid to answer is simple. He, as an AG and former state senator, has been all over the map on this issue, so coming up with a legal opinion that doesn’t contradict his own positions will be a challenge. It is even more difficult for him because there is no answer that is compatible with his political agenda.
The suit asks a court to force the AG to abide by the law and produce an Official Advisory Opinion which should say what AG Herring loathes to admit, that Article 1, section 11 of the Virginia Constitution prohibiting sex discrimination, only applies to biological sex, not people who are confused and think they are something they are not.
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the Gloucester school transgender bathroom policy, and yesterday's Obama administration threat to North Carolina's governor, are focused on the exact question I posed to AG Herring seven months ago in a request for an Official Advisory Opinion.
I hate to ask for money but if you can help cover the cost of paying private lawyers to hold our liberal activist, friend-of-Al Gore, AWOL Attorney General’s feet to the fire, it will be put to good use.
TELL AG HERRING - “DO YOUR JOB”
For over seven months, AG Herring has ignored my request for legal advice on a very important but simple question because he is too busy working against the people of Virginia!
During these past seven months, while I’m waiting for an Advisory Opinion, AG Herring, Virginia’s lawyer—your lawyer—is:
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Arguing (while on the Virginia taxpayers dime) in favor of mandatory union dues and against the First Amendment.
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He and his staff are writing briefs supporting the Obama’s EPA global warming plan.
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And perhaps his biggest political stunt - unilaterally revoking concealed carry permit reciprocity in Virginia.
It is a sad day when the Attorney General conducts his office in a way that hurts the people of Virginia.
I need your support today to make sure we’re able to follow through with this lawsuit and win against AG Mark Herring.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your elected delegate. I am working hard for you. Now that I'm back in the district again, please let me know of any issues you would like to discuss with me, opportunities to meet with groups in your community, etc. You can reach me and my staff at (540) 751-8364 or DelDLaRock@house.virginia.gov
UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
Saturday, May 14th, from 11am-3pm
Purcellville Public Safety Center (500 N. Maple Ave).
See public safety equipment, including a helicopter; tour the station; meet career and volunteer police, fire, and rescue staff; and enjoy fun, games, and food!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Brambleton Town Center
22855 Brambleton Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20148
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