Senate Approves Replacing 'Mentally Retarded' in Law
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The Senate passed a bill yesterday that would replace references in state law to "mentally retarded" with "intellectually disabled."
"This is a returning to dignity for a whole group of people who have been stigmatized over many, many years," said Sen. Patricia S. Ticer (D-Alexandria), who introduced the bill.
A similar bill is working its way through the House of Delegates. State financial analysts estimated that it would cost $75,000 to adjust signs, letterhead, business cards and other literature to reflect the change.
-- Sandhya Somashekhar
Local Governments Urge Kaine to Keep Builder Proffers
A coalition of 95 local governments from across Virginia called on Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) yesterday to reject a bill that would change the way local administrations get money from developers.
William B. Kyger Jr., president of the board of directors of the Virginia Association of Counties, told Kaine that the legislation was a "reprehensible power grab" by the home-building industry. Kaine has not taken a position on the bill.
Local governments negotiate with developers for money to offset the cost of providing roads, schools and other services to people drawn by the new projects.
Under the legislation, proffers would be replaced by a schedule of flat fees for each new house. Local governments say the fees are too low.
Supporters say this is a more just system and will keep homes affordable.
