Victory Alert: Parental Rights Bill Passes!

Victoria Cobb, President Friday, February 22, 2013 Victory Alert: Parental Rights Bill Goes to Governor! Yesterday, after weeks of numerous twists and turns and more edits and amendments than the Declaration of Independence, a simple two sentence bill guaranteeing parental rights cleared both chambers of the General Assembly by large majorities and are on their way to Governor Bob McDonnell to sign into law.    Starting July 1, Virginia law will recognize that parents have a “fundamental right” to make “decisions concerning the upbringing, education and care” of their children. Short, simple and powerful.   The legislation, HB 1642 and SB 908, patroned by Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96, James City County) and Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17, Spotsylvania), respectively, elevates the common law understanding of parental rights in place in Virginia for 400 years to that of a fundamental right.  What’s in a word? Plenty.  While no rights are absolute, courts give special deference to fundamental rights, requiring the state’s “compelling interest” to intervene.   These bills also codify the essence of the L.F. v. Breit Virginia Supreme Court decision in January that upheld parental rights.  That’s especially important since 24 other state courts have reduced parental rights to “ordinary” – a standard more easily trumped by government authorities that attempt to interpose themselves in family decisions. Even as the bills were being debated in recent days, evidence of the need for protecting parental rights came to light when we learned that the Obama administration is arguing in a federal court that parents do not have a fundamental right to home school their kids!  Those who argued that this new law is unnecessary couldn't be more wrong.   We thank Delegate Pogge and Senator Reeves for their patience and skillful navigation through the often Byzantine legislative process, while negotiating over several amendments but not giving ground on the goal of reasserting the foundational principle parents by nature have to raise their children.  We also appreciate the effort of the Home School Legal Defense Association who brought this bill to the General Assembly and have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to see it to completion.   Thank you for contacting your senators and delegates each time when called upon these last six weeks.  In the end, many delegates and senators responded to the common sense of these bills as reflected in their constituents’ beliefs.    Click here to thank Delegate Pogge and click here to thank Senator Reeves. You have received this message because you have subscribed to a mailing list of The Family Foundation of Virginia. If you do not wish to receive periodic emails from this source, please click below to unsubscribe.

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Action Alert: Urge Your Senator Safeguard Parents!

Victoria Cobb, President Sunday, February 17, 2013 Action Alert: Urge Your Senator To Vote To Safeguard Parental Rights! Friday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 8-5-1 to report HB 1642 to the full Senate. The bill now goes to the full Senate, meaning we are ever so close to getting this bill to Governor Bob McDonnell’s desk, but we need your help. Please contact your Senator by clicking here now and urge him or her to vote for HB 1642 and against any attempt to weaken it through amendment. The Senate previously passed another version of this bill, but it is still awaiting vote in a House committee, its fate unknown. But HB 1642, patroned by Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96, James City County), gives us a clear path to becoming law. It has been a bit of a byzantine route for the bill so far, amended and re-amended, but Friday the Senate Courts of Justice Committee agreed to amendments that strengthened the bill. Surprisingly, interest groups, such as the Trial Lawyers, the Virginia Bar Association, the Medical Society of Virginia and others agreed to them and the bill even earned the vote of liberal Senator Donald McEachin (D-9, Henrico). In a last effort to scuttle the bill, committee opponents rehashed hypothetical scenarios that missed the point entirely, claiming that a parent who abandoned a child for 10 years could return and claim a “fundamental right” to custody. Anticipating the question, Deputy Attorney General Wes Russell told them they were confusing issues: the definitional statutes of who is a legal parent and a legal parent’s rights. They had no reply and discussion promptly ended and the vote ensued. The bill enshrines parental rights in Virginia law as a “fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education and care” of their children. That is significant because courts give special deference to “fundamental rights.” It also locks in a recent unanimous Virginia Supreme Court ruling, declaring parental rights are fundamental, so a future court cannot reverse the decision. The threat is real: 24 courts in other states have reduced parental rights to “ordinary.” HB 1642 directly addresses that concern. More scare attempts likely will be made on the Senate floor during its debate early this week. Please contact your senator and ask him or her to stay strong and vote yes for parents’ rights and HB 1642. In Virginia, it’s time to reassert foundational principles such as the fundamental right of parents to raise their children. ACTION: Click the link below to contact your senator and urge him or her to vote YES on HB 1642 and NO to any attempt to weaken it through amendment! Click the link below to log in and send your message: http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/vaff/ir9KPGrt.aspx You have received this message because you have subscribed to a mailing list of The Family Foundation of Virginia. If you do not wish to receive periodic emails from this source, please click below to unsubscribe.

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WYDaily Morning News - Your News for Feb. 14, 2013

Display problems? View this newsletter in your browser. Last chance to show some love and win - When was the last time you wrote a love note? Not counting ones to Oprah or Dr. Phil. At Hometown Radio and WYDaily, we want you to write a love note to a local business. Tell us about the store that always makes you happy, the service provider who is always on time, whatever it is that makes you their loyal customer. Click here to enter your note before 7 p.m. on Valentine's Day (that's today!). Because we appreciate you, a winner will be chosen for each business category and rewarded with an awesome prize...like gifts from Paisley, Body and Sol, Results Personal Training, and Williamsburg National! Feel free to shower your love on as many businesses as you'd like - but just one per entry, please. TODAY'S HEADLINES Williamsburg Man Accused of Strangulation Appears in Court WJCC Financial Officer Burckbuchler Named Superintendent of Essex Co. Schools McDonnell Announces School Safety Legislation VIMS Professor Duffy Among Governor's Top Faculty Global Film Fest Features 'Moonrise Kingdom' Star, Celebration of Youth New Upper York Pediatric Dental Practice Offers Anesthesia Spa of Colonial Williamsburg Ranked No. 6 on Top 100 U.S. Spas List What You'll Do: Feb. 14-17 Hometown: Grove Outreach Building Almost Complete; Fundraising Goal Reached Moore Delivers Early, Often as Grafton Beats Tabb in Boys BRD Hoops Semis Bruton Holds On to Beat Warhill in Another Tight One in Boys BRD Hoops Semis Tribe Offense Erupts for 92-86 Win Over UNCW Hometown: Miss Virginia Headed to Valentine's Dance with Williamsburg Arc Frugal Jena: Farm Fresh Sale Ad Coupon Matchups for Feb. 13-19 RECENT HEADLINES Experts Testify on Alleged Killer's Competency in WJCC Circuit Court GA Passes Legislation to Revise Teacher Evaluation Process Citizens Continue to Oppose Rezoning Jamestown Beach New Yorktown Refinery Owners to Invest $75 Million this Year Fairy Tale Trial Teaches Law to Elementary Students (w/Video) W&M Announces Speakers for Local TED Talks JCC Supes OK Contract for New Fire Trucks, Ambulance Jared Van Acker Stepping Down as Grafton Football Coach BRD Girls Hoops: Two Upsets in Tourney Quarterfinals The Score: WCA Girls Clinch Another Metro Conference Basketball Title Hometown: DC Cupcakes Show Takes On CW; Watch Thursday Frugal Jena: Valentine's Day on a Budget Superintendents Question Need for A-F School Grading System Unsubscribe WYDaily.com

Reminder: Public Hearing: York Planning Commission @ Wed Feb 13, 2013 7pm - 8pm (PeninsulaTeaParty.org)

more details » Public Hearing: York Planning Commission The Draft has been prepared and it includes only the most progressive of citizens input and ignores the rest. There is nothing in the plan to address the bloated bureaucracy and overreach that is already a part of our zoning and property use regulations. Please plan to attend this meeting and/or contact planning@yorkcounty.gov and let them know that we are less concerned with protecting the power of our York County government bureaucrats than with protecting the rights of citizens and property owners in York County. See more information here: http://www.yorkteaparty.org/posts/yorkcitizensfeb13demandaresidentbillofrights Below is the public notice: The York County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive public comment on the draft updated Comprehensive Plan titled Charting the Course to 2023: The County of York Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing will take place at the Commission's regular meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at York Hall, 301 Main Street in Yorktown. The draft updated plan can be downloaded from the Planning Division website at www.yorkcounty.gov/planning. The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the physical development of the county, and the Code of Virginia requires that it be reviewed at least once every five years. The five-year Comprehensive Plan review began in February 2012 with a series of community forums conducted jointly with James City County and Williamsburg, followed by public meetings in May and June that were targeted specifically to York County citizens. The Planning Commission then held a series of work sessions from June through October to review and discuss the various elements of the Plan, and a telephone survey of county residents was conducted in August to obtain statistically valid data regarding general community goals relating to the physical development of the county. These efforts culminated in the preparation of the draft updated Plan. Those who wish to comment on the draft Plan but cannot attend the public hearing may submit their comments to the Planning Commission by using the contact information below: Mailing Address: York County Planning Division P.O. Box 532 Yorktown, VA 23690-0532 Email: planning@yorkcounty.gov Phone: (757) 890-3404 Fax: (757) 890-3418 The Planning Commission will consider the comments it receives before taking action on the draft Plan. Once approved by the Commission, the Plan will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and final adoption. For more information, please contact the Planning Division using the information above. The draft updated Comprehensive Plan titled Charting the Course to 2035: The County of York Comprehensive Plan is now available for public review and can be downloaded from the Planning Division web site at http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=18298. The York County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive public comment on the draft Plan at its next meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at York Hall, located at 301 Main Street in Yorktown. If you have questions or comments, please contact the Planning Division at (757) 890-3404 or by email at planning@yorkcounty.gov. When Wed Feb 13, 2013 7pm – 8pm Eastern Time Where 301 Main Street, Yorktown, VA (map) Calendar PeninsulaTeaParty.org Who (Guest list is too large to display) Going?   Yes - Maybe - No    more options »

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WYDaily Morning News - Your News for Feb. 13, 2013

Display problems? View this newsletter in your browser. Show some love to local businesses - When was the last time you wrote a love note? Not counting ones to Oprah or Dr. Phil. At Hometown Radio, we want you to write a love note to a local business. Tell us about the store that always makes you happy, the service provider who is always on time, or anything else about a local business that rocks your socks! Click here to enter your note before 7 p.m. on Valentine's Day (that's tomorrow!). A winner will be selected for each category and will be rewarded with an awesome prize...like gifts from Paisley, Body and Sol, Results Personal Training, and Williamsburg National! Feel free to shower your love on as many businesses as you'd like - but just one per entry, please. TODAY'S HEADLINES Experts Testify on Alleged Killer's Competency in WJCC Circuit Court GA Passes Legislation to Revise Teacher Evaluation Process Citizens Continue to Oppose Rezoning Jamestown Beach New Yorktown Refinery Owners to Invest $75 Million this Year Fairy Tale Trial Teaches Law to Elementary Students (w/Video) Today: Hear Milo Greene on The Tide, See Them at Free Concert W&M Announces Speakers for Local TED Talks JCC Supes OK Contract for New Fire Trucks, Ambulance Jared Van Acker Stepping Down as Grafton Football Coach BRD Girls Hoops: Two Upsets in Tourney Quarterfinals The Score: WCA Girls Clinch Another Metro Conference Basketball Title Hometown: DC Cupcakes Show Takes On CW; Watch Thursday Frugal Jena: Valentine's Day on a Budget RECENT HEADLINES Superintendents Question Need for A-F School Grading System York Officials Exploring Plan to Dredge County's Waterways State Senate, House Budgets More Generous to York Schools WADMC to Extend TV Tourism Ad Campaign (w/Video) Hanks' Three Titles Lead Tabb Girls to Indoor T&F Regional Title; Rams Boys Win BRD Boys Basketball: Tournament Quarterfinal Results, Top Seeds Advance Game On: Grafton's Wilson, Moore are BRD's Players of the Year Tribe Basketball: CAA-Leading Northeastern Sneaks Past W&M Hometown: Tickets on Sale for Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars Video Catches Thieves Taking Bike - Know Them?   Unsubscribe WYDaily.com

Charting the Course to 2023

York County Citizens:

For most of us, “sustainability” simply means “taking steps to ensure our environment can endure for a long period of time.” The type of “Sustainability” being promoted by federal and state and local agencies is nothing short of top-down central planning that leads to higher housing costs, increased foreclosure rates, increased unoccupied housing stock, and a reduction in economic growth.

It leads to control over private property, energy use, advanced metering, Smart Meters, water use; it means government will control how hot your shower may be, how much air conditioning or heat you may use, controls on owning and using your car, controls on food production, controls on population growth, and so much more.

The policy of Agenda 21 comes in many names, such as Sustainable Development, Smart Growth, historic preservation, diversity, open space, heritage areas and comprehensive planning.  Review public comment and compare to comprehensive planning - does this plan reflect the direction you want?

The York County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive public comment on the draft updated Comprehensive Plan titled: Charting the Course to 2023: The County of York Comprehensive Plan.

The public hearing will take place at the Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at York Hall, 301 Main Street in Yorktown. The draft updated plan can be downloaded from the Planning Division website atwww.yorkcounty.gov/planning.

The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the physical development of the county, and the Code of Virginia requires that it be reviewed at least once every five years. The five-year Comprehensive Plan review began in February 2012 with a series of community forums conducted jointly with James City County and Williamsburg, followed by public meetings in May and June that were targeted specifically to York County citizens. The Planning Commission then held a series of work sessions from June through October to review and discuss the various elements of the Plan, and a telephone survey of county residents was conducted in August to obtain statistically valid data regarding general community goals relating to the physical development of the county. These efforts culminated in the preparation of the draft updated Plan.

Those who wish to comment on the draft Plan but cannot attend the public hearing may submit their comments to the Planning Commission by using the contact information below:

Mailing Address:
York County Planning Division
P.O. Box 532
Yorktown, VA 23690-0532

Email:   planning@yorkcounty.gov  
Phone:  (757) 890-3404
Fax:        (757) 890-3418

The Planning Commission will consider the comments it receives before taking action on the draft Plan. Once approved by the Commission, the Plan will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and final adoption.

For more information, please contact the Planning Division using the information above.

Invitation: Public Hearing: York Planning Commission @ Wed Feb 13, 2013 7pm - 8pm (alexanderofyork@yorkteaparty.org)

more details » Public Hearing: York Planning Commission The Draft has been prepared and it includes only the most progressive of citizens input and ignores the rest. There is nothing in the plan to address the bloated bureaucracy and overreach that is already a part of our zoning and property use regulations. Please plan to attend this meeting and/or contact planning@yorkcounty.gov and let them know that we are less concerned with protecting the power of our York County government bureaucrats than with protecting the rights of citizens and property owners in York County. See more information here: http://www.yorkteaparty.org/posts/yorkcitizensfeb13demandaresidentbillofrights Below is the public notice: The York County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive public comment on the draft updated Comprehensive Plan titled Charting the Course to 2023: The County of York Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing will take place at the Commission's regular meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at York Hall, 301 Main Street in Yorktown. The draft updated plan can be downloaded from the Planning Division website at www.yorkcounty.gov/planning. The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the physical development of the county, and the Code of Virginia requires that it be reviewed at least once every five years. The five-year Comprehensive Plan review began in February 2012 with a series of community forums conducted jointly with James City County and Williamsburg, followed by public meetings in May and June that were targeted specifically to York County citizens. The Planning Commission then held a series of work sessions from June through October to review and discuss the various elements of the Plan, and a telephone survey of county residents was conducted in August to obtain statistically valid data regarding general community goals relating to the physical development of the county. These efforts culminated in the preparation of the draft updated Plan. Those who wish to comment on the draft Plan but cannot attend the public hearing may submit their comments to the Planning Commission by using the contact information below: Mailing Address: York County Planning Division P.O. Box 532 Yorktown, VA 23690-0532 Email: planning@yorkcounty.gov Phone: (757) 890-3404 Fax: (757) 890-3418 The Planning Commission will consider the comments it receives before taking action on the draft Plan. Once approved by the Commission, the Plan will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and final adoption. For more information, please contact the Planning Division using the information above. The draft updated Comprehensive Plan titled Charting the Course to 2035: The County of York Comprehensive Plan is now available for public review and can be downloaded from the Planning Division web site at http://www.yorkcounty.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=18298. The York County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to receive public comment on the draft Plan at its next meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at York Hall, located at 301 Main Street in Yorktown. If you have questions or comments, please contact the Planning Division at (757) 890-3404 or by email at planning@yorkcounty.gov. When Wed Feb 13, 2013 7pm – 8pm Eastern Time Where 301 Main Street, Yorktown, VA (map) Calendar alexanderofyork@yorkteaparty.org Who (Guest list is too large to display) Going?   Yes - Maybe - No    more options »

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