2011.02.16
Virginia Tea Party federation praises Democrats Deeds and Puckett
Creigh Deeds
Phil Puckett
In the wake of yesterday’s narrow vote on a bill that would amend the state Constitution to restrict the use of eminent domain, the Virginia Federation of Tea Party Patriots praised two Senate Democrats — Creigh Deeds of Bath County and Phillip Puckett of Russell County.
The interesting wrinkle to this is that Tea Party candidate Adam Light is seeking to challenge Puckett this year. Of course the federation’s release doesn’t mention that or endorse Puckett, and as demonstrated in a story on Monday the Tea Party movement is hardly homogeneous, but one would think the federation’s praise nevertheless takes a little wind from Light’s sails.
The full release from the Tea Party Patriots follows the jump:
Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation Thanks Senate Democrats Deeds and Puckett for Protecting Private Property Rights
February 16, 2011 (Richmond, Virginia) – Despite the attempts of some Senate Democrats, and special interest groups, HJ 693 (Constitutional amendment; taking or damaging of private property for public use) was saved and voted out of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee today. The Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation is in support of this amendment which would protect private property from eminent domain abuse.
“The Kelo Decision of the Supreme Court in 2005 was a complete reversal of the Founder’s intent on private property, ” says, Mark Kevin Lloyd, Chairman of the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation. ” Kelo VS City of New London, essentially said that property belonged to whomever the government assigned it. HJ 693 will secure constitutional private property rights in Virginia. We thank all of the Senators who voted it out of committee, especially Senator Creigh Deeds (D- 25, Bath ) and Senator Phil Puckett (D- 38, Tazewell).
HJ693 proceeds to the full Senate floor for a vote on February 16. The Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation is asking Senators to vote in favor of the full bill without any amendments. HJ693 is co-patroned by Del Johnny Joannou (D-79, Portsmouth).
