By Richmond Notebook
Tuesday, February 6, 2007

The Virginia Senate gave preliminary approval yesterday to a measure that would allow Colonial Downs, the horse racing track east of Richmond, to offer a new form of off-track gambling that would generate as much as $300 million annually that could be directed toward transportation needs.

A similar measure was defeated last week in the House. But the idea is sure to resurface as lawmakers work toward striking a transportation deal this session.

Del. John S. Reid (R-Henrico), who pushed the measure to a vote on the House floor, said the relatively close 54 to 42 vote shows that lawmakers should continue to look at the gambling bill to help pay for transportation improvements.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has said that he has not ruled out supporting the gambling bill.

-- Amy Gardner

The House of Delegates approved legislation yesterday that would require girls to be vaccinated against a virus that causes cervical cancer but would give parents the choice to review information about the vaccine and opt out.

A bill to require all girls entering the sixth grade to receive a vaccine for the human papillomavirus, which can be sexually transmitted and causes cervical cancer, passed the House 80 to 17 after it was changed over the weekend.

Legislators amended the measure to allow parents to review information about the vaccine and exempt their daughters.

The Senate unanimously passed a similar bill Friday without the parental opt-out.

About 99 percent of cervical cancer cases are linked to the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-- Associated Press

For more information about the General Assembly session, visit the blog by The Washington Post's reporters in Richmond at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/richmondreport.