By Richmond Digest
Friday, February 8, 2008; B05
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.
Local Governments Urge Kaine to Keep Builder ProffersA 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.
-- Sandhya Somashekhar
William and Mary Board Members QuestionedLegislators summoned four College of William and Mary board appointees to the Capitol yesterday for interrogation about recent controversies at the school.
Members of the House Privileges and Elections Committee complained about the Sex Workers' Art Show on campus this week and the removal of a cross from the school's chapel in 2006. The cross later was locked in a case and returned to the chapel.
"Quite frankly, members of this committee -- and others in the House -- are not sure what to make of all of these events and how they advance the teaching, research and public service mission of William and Mary," Del. Mark L. Cole (R-Spotsylvania) said.
Some committee members were particularly critical of college President Gene R. Nichol, who removed the cross from Wren Chapel and allowed the sex workers' program despite objections that such an event should not be held on state property.
House Subcommittee Rejects Anti-Smoking BillA House of Delegates subcommittee unanimously killed legislation yesterday to ban smoking in restaurants and most other indoor public places in Virginia.
The action by the general laws subcommittee came as no surprise. The panel has rejected anti-smoking bills in the past.
The move does not bode well for a package of anti-smoking bills passed by the Senate this week.
Those measures will go to the same subcommittee when they reach the House.
-- Associated Press
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