VA: State House Republicans don't want Virginians to vote on a constitutional amendment

From Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:

Virginia House of Delegates’ Subcommittee Votes Down Constitutional Amendment to Protect Reproductive Freedom and Advances Two Bills to Stigmatize Reproductive Health Care

The constitutional amendment is “passed by indefinitely” on 5 to 3 vote; Harmful anti-reproductive health care bills are reported to the full committee.

Richmond, Va – Today, the House of Delegates Courts of Justice Subcommittee #1 considered several bills impacting reproductive health care: HJ519 (Herring), HB2270 (Greenhalgh), HB1795 (Freitas). HB1488 (McGuire) was passed by for the day.

Statement from Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:

“Anti-abortion politicians on the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee don’t want Virginians to vote on a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom because they know they’ll lose. A recent poll from The Watson Center at Christopher Newport University found that 72% of Virginians want our abortion laws to stay the same or be less restrictive.

But Virginians’ strong support for abortion rights hasn’t stopped extremist politicians — including those who make up the majority of this subcommittee — from continuing their attacks on their own constituents’ reproductive health and freedom. Instead of following the will of the people they purport to represent, anti-abortion politicians today opted to prioritize their own out-of-touch ideological agendas by advancing harmful legislation that would only serve to roll back Virginians’ rights. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia will continue to fight these bills and every political attack on our health and rights, just as we’ll continue to advocate for the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom.”

The Republican-led subcommittee today advanced multiple harmful bills, including a so-called “born alive” bill, which is nothing more than a vehicle for anti-abortion politicians to push misinformation, stoke fear, and bully patients and providers — all toward the ultimate goal of banning abortion. These unnecessary bills use inflammatory rhetoric to address a made-up problem, as medical professionals are already obligated to provide appropriate medical care. To suggest otherwise is false, offensive, and dangerous.

Finally, they voted to advance legislation to reinstate mandatory biased counseling for patients before an abortion. This is another blatant attempt to shame and stigmatize patients, and it puts politicians in the middle of private medical decisions that should be left to an individual and their health care provider.




https://bluevirginia.us/2023/01/anti-abortion-politicians-on-the-house-courts-of-justice-subcommittee-dont-want-virginians-to-vote-on-a-constitutional-amendment-to-protect-reproductive-freedom-because-they-know-the

PA-HD35: In 35th District special election, GOP newcomer takes on a longtime McKeesport Democrat

State House District 35 represents many Monongahela Valley communities that are still struggling economically from decades-old economic changes, such as McKeesport, Clairton and Duquesne. But the outcome of a Feb. 7 special election here is one of three that could reshape the map of the entire state.

If Republicans can pick off one of the three open seats in Democratic-leaning districts on Feb. 7, they would gain control of the House of Representatives. Republicans already control the Senate and jointly they can propose constitutional amendments that bypass Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro’s veto. If Democrats win all three races, they would gain control of the House for only the third session in the last 28 years.

On its face, the election to fill the vacancy left when Austin Davis became lieutenant governor looks like a typical insider vs. outsider race. There’s a Democrat who has spent 20 years working in the public sector, and says his familiarity with leaders in the Mon Valley and Harrisburg are his biggest asset. And there’s a Republican who served in the military and ran a tattoo business who thinks it’s time for political change.

McKeesport Democrat Matthew Gergely is sending out mailings that highlight his support for public schools, unions and reproductive freedom. Clairton Republican Don Nevills is running as a pro-life, tough-on-crime, tax-cutting Republican in a historically Democratic district.





https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2023-01-30/in-35th-district-special-election-gop-newcomer-takes-on-a-longtime-mckeesport-democrat

Pa. Legislature's special election bonanza kicks off with 27th Senate District on Tuesday

Tuesday’s special election to fill the 27th District state Senate seat is the first of four legislative races to be decided in the next two weeks.

The other three special elections to be held Feb. 7 are for House seats that will finally put to rest any debate over who controls the 203-seat chamber. Democrats won 102 seats last November, but Republicans, who have 101 seats, are claiming the majority for now after the three seats in question became vacant.

With the three House districts in solidly blue territory in Allegheny County, however, Democrats are expected to sweep those races.

First on the board, though, is the election to replace former Republican state Sen. John Gordner, who resigned last year to become counsel to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward.

This race has fewer implications than the House race with Republicans holding a 27-22 majority over Democrats in the Senate.

According to PoliticsPa.com, the GOP has a 2 to 1 voter registration advantage in the district and Gordner won re-election in 2020 by 51,000 votes.



https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2023/01/pa-legislatures-special-election-bonanza-kicks-off-with-27th-senate-district-on-tuesday.html

PA-SD27: Special election in central Pennsylvania on Tuesday

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Political signs are posted throughout parts of central Pennsylvania, urging people to vote in this week's special election.

Two candidates are on the ballot. Republican Lynda Schlegel Culver and Democrat Patricia Lawton are hoping to be elected state senator of the 27th District, which includes five counties in our area.

The seat was left vacant by State Senator John Gordner in November, who resigned in November to take on another role within the senate.

Newswatch 16 stopped by the voter registration office in Montour County, where officials were doing last-minute preparations for the special election.

"All our ballots have been delivered. All our machines have been delivered. What you see here with these cases, it's all election supplies. The judges of elections come to pick up the supplies, and they sign for them," explained Holly Brandon, Montour County's director of elections.

"Trying to do it as best we can in accordance to the law, trying to be transparent about it, so people have the faith that their ballot is counted and it's being handled appropriately," said Ryan Craig, Montour County's assistant director of elections.



https://www.wnep.com/article/news/politics/elections/special-election-in-central-pennsylvania-on-tuesday-lynda-schlegel-culver-patricia-lawton-gordner/523-b8b413a0-addd-42fc-bf70-aa6bc4e49bbd

George Santos' ex-boyfriend speaks out

Shocked and surprised are just two of the emotions Congressman George Santos’ ex-boyfriend Pedro Vilarva used to describe how he’s feeling.

"He never showed that he was the psychopathic liar that he’s showing to be right now," Vilarva said.

Pedro spoke to us about the man he says met as Anthony Devolder in 2014. Pedro was 18 and Santos was 26.

"He was so sweet, and he was very caring," he said.

But Pedro has since realized he looked past red flags, telling us he didn’t learn until months into their relationship that Santos was still married to the woman seen in this photo who Pedro at the time was sharing an apartment with. According to records, Santos didn’t get divorced until 2019.

"He said a lie, he gets caught on the lie, and then he says another lie to cover up that lie," Vilarva said.



https://www.fox5ny.com/news/george-santos-ex-boyfriend-speaks-out

WI-SUPREME COURT: State GOP file ethics complaint against progressive Janet Protasiewicz

CA-45: Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva and Leaders Endorse Kim Bernice Nguyen

Coming on the heels of a successful rollout and just four days after announcing her campaign for Congress, Garden Grove City Councilwoman Kim Bernice Nguyen announced a major endorsement from Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), whose 67th Assembly District comprises nearly 35% of CA-45 and neighborhoods across North Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles County. Since Wednesday, 30 state, county, city, and local leaders throughout California have already lined up to endorse Kim Bernice Nguyen for Congress, including several prominent local leaders from the district.
Upon endorsing Ms. Nguyen, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva stated:

“I’m proud to endorse Kim Bernice Nguyen for US Congress. Whether its tackling our homelessness crisis or focusing on crucial issues like gun reform, lowering healthcare costs, and protecting a woman’s right to choose, Kim represents the type of bold leadership we need in Washington and I hope you’ll join me in supporting Kim and flipping CA-45 blue!”

Leaders across CA-45 endorsing Kim Bernice Nguyen include:

- Sharon Quirk-Silva, Assemblywoman, 67th District
- Susan Sonne, Buena Park Mayor Pro Tem
- Connor Traut, Buena Park City Council member
- Jose Trinidad Castaneda, Buena Park City Council member
- Frances Marquez, Cypress City Council member
- John O’Neill, Garden Grove City Council member
- Marshall Goodman, La Palma City Council member
- Lamiya Hoque, Centralia School Board member
- Luis Flores, Centralia School Board member
- Walter Muneton, Garden Grove Unified School Board member

The daughter of a Vietnamese refugee and a Mexican immigrant, Kim Bernice Nguyen was the first in her family to graduate high school and college. At just 25, she won a historic election as the youngest person and first Latina ever elected to the Garden Grove City Council. A leader on women’s issues, Ms. Nguyen has stood up to harassment and sought equality and justice throughout Southern California and has fought to ensure that immigrants, like her parents, have the dignity and opportunity to succeed in our communities. A homegrown leader, Ms. Nguyen attended Clinton-Medenhall Elementary, Doig Intermediate, and Santiago High School. As a healthcare expert, she will bring a much-needed public health background to Congress, having formerly worked for CalOptima and now as a Program Manager for a large health plan.




https://theliberaloc.com/2023/01/30/assemblywoman-sharon-quirk-silva-and-ca-45-leaders-endorse-kim-bernice-nguyen-for-congress/

Tweet of the Day. I just can't help myself.

Democratic state lawmakers file bill to dismantle Georgia's abortion law

Georgia House and Senate Democrats on Tuesday introduced identical bills to the Georgia General Assembly that would repeal the state’s “Heartbeat law” and protect reproductive freedom under state law.

Georgia’s controversial abortion law prohibits most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected — usually around six weeks into a pregnancy, and before many realize they are pregnant. Before the U.S. Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Georgia allowed abortions through the 22nd week of pregnancy.

Two days after what would have been Roe’s 50th anniversary, abortion rights advocates, lawmakers, and healthcare providers announced in a press conference the bicameral Reproductive Freedom Act.

District 7 Senator Nabilah Islam said the right to abortion is fundamental.

"On Sunday, we should have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision. Instead, we have to be out here fighting the same fights that our mothers and grandmothers have fought for, to control the right to their own bodies," Islam said.



https://www.wuga.org/local-news/2023-01-26/democratic-state-lawmakers-file-bill-to-dismantle-georgias-abortion-law

Southern Democrats rally for Atlanta 2024 convention

Southern Democrats are banding together to urge President Joe Biden to select Atlanta for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, according to a letter obtained by NBC News, arguing the choice would solidify the party's gains in Georgia and demonstrate commitment to the entire region.

Atlanta is one of the three finalists to host the convention, along with New York City and Chicago. Houston was also in the running until recently; its mayor has now joined Atlanta’s bid, adding his name to the letter.




https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/southern-democrats-rally-atlanta-2024-convention-rcna68161