Democrat files lawsuit over Senate organization
Democrats want a judge to decide whether Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling can cast a tie-breaking vote to give Republicans effective control of the evenly divided state Senate.
Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico County, the chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, filed the lawsuit today in Richmond Circuit Court on behalf of the caucus. Democrats want a judge to rule that Bolling does not have the constitutional authority to vote on the Senate’s organization. And they want judge to issue an injunction that would prevent Bolling from voting on organizational matters until the issue is resolved.
Republicans argue that, because of Bolling’s tie-breaking vote, they can function as the Senate’s majority party and hold majorities on Senate committees. Bolling said the day after the Nov. 8 elections that the 20-20 split in the state Senate gave Republicans control of the the Senate.
“The voters elected 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans to the Senate. Yet, in spite of that, the Republicans choose to ignore these results and, instead, claim absolute power and authority,” McEachin said in a news release. “This willingness to ignore the evenly divided results of the election is unfair and unacceptable.”
– Michael Sluss
December 5, 2011 - 1:14 PM
Dems wasting tax payers money with a lawsuit because they lost and have to rules to follow. They must be looking for a liberal judge to override the state constitution.
Tripp Godsey
Where is the taxpayer’s money in this fight. It’s the Democratic party and the Republican Party. The Attorney general who is supposed to represent ALL the citizens has no place in this fight. Let Bob McDonnell’s Pac or the State Republican Committee to pony up the money to defend themselves.
Tripp
The one wasting taxpayer money is The Cooch with his frivolous lawsuits against the EPA, The Affordable Health Care Act, and the academic freedom of college researchers whose climate change conclusions he disagrees with.
Oh no. Tripp has reappeared. I thought once his own party voted him off the island, we wouldn’t have to listen to his BS anymore.
@mj
No.Tripp has been tripping over himself on a regular basis on this blog.
Oh yes, we all have complete faith that the party of wearing tea bags would never stoop to such a weird thing as letting the judicial branch decide a legal dispute.
“Where is the taxpayer’s money in this fight”
Every where..we pay these people, remember. Just sore losers.
@5
Thought you didnt like this blog Dave, it seems you are the one “tripping” over yourself on a regular basis. Mr Godsey has a view that many share.. in fact more than likely the majority. Don’t fool yourself because these blogs are so far to left, that the nation is as well. You are going in for a shock if you do.
Dave – Cuccinelli will be Virginia’s next Governor and he will continue to protect the rights of Virginians. Getting rid of the EPA and the illegal healthcare mandate would be a great thing. A new president in 2012 the economy will start to recover in 2013. Better days ahead after each election since there are less Dems in office.
Personally, I always appreciate it when you all “remove all doubt”.
It is possible that Cucci will be the next Governor of Virginia. It is not possible that he will make anything better, be able to “get rid of the EPA” or the healthcare mandated responsibility. Better days will be long after whomever the next governor is and people better be getting used to that truth instead of pushing a meme.
Jack McGuire
I’m sure that a “majority” share Tripp Godsey’s views since he could only get 30% of the vote in his own party in the primary. As a part of the fringe 15%^, his views will never be those of the majority.
@10
I meant country wide, as per the last election where the Tea Party propelled the Reps. to an historic victory.You haven’t forgotten, have you?
dave- You keep bringing up the election results of my campaign.I got into the election as no republican was going to run against Edwards. Nutter entered the race on the last day. I lost be less than 900 votes. I did win Roanoke and Roanoke county. I lost Nutters backyard of the NRV. I was out spent by $ 71,000 in the primary. I did not have the Governor, Lt Gov and George Allen, Ralph Smith come and campaign for me in the primary as my opponent did. All of that got Nutter the 900 votes he needed to beat me in the primary.
My message is clear. I am a constitutional conservative and disagree with Liberal tax and spend politics. With all of that said given time and money I would have beat Edwards and the Dems lawsuits would be avoided. IMO
Jack, the GOP is running like hell away from the Tea Party as its popularity drops in direct proportion to how much people learn about it. Do some reading post-11/2010.
Tripp, you would have had a better chance and be much more appealing and credible if you had the decency and integrity to say you were a “constitutional conservative” (although you will need to define it as some nuts claim the same) and disagree with ALL “tax and spend politics”. Pretending the GOP has not been on a spending spree since Reagan is simply dishonest to the core. I admire your chutzpah to a degree, but you would never have beaten Edwards.
Honesty is a politicians most lethal weapon AND the reason so few have such an arsenal. You are young enough to correct your mistakes if you can muster the integrity to realize what and who the true enemy is. So far you have not shown a depth or grasp that would serve any but a small fringe. Your choice totally of course, but a closed mind is least effective.
Sandi,
Well said. It would be great to see some of the valley’s young, energetic activists channel their enthusiasm in positive directions, but that can’t be done when they’re busy spouting dishonest partisan rhetoric about their opponents that could just as easily be said of their heroes.
13.”Jack, the GOP is running like hell away from the Tea Party”
You need to get around some other people and news services besides far left ones, your views are being skewed by leftist prpoganda. Another big Rep. victory in 1012.
Jack, as ususal you don’t know what you are talking about. Cuccinelli does not “represent all the people” he is voted in by the people, but he represents the government of the commonwealth. He does not represent you or I or any other person, unless we happen to be a government official. Take your foot out of your mouth and look it up. Or better yet, call the office of the AG and ask. 804-786-1098
Greg, you have embarrassed yourself in more ways that just kicking your biggest fan. Cuccinelli has proven, from day one that he represents the right wing agenda and frankly not much else. Now you are free to try and argue that is somehow “the government” but I cannot think you will be very successful.
The traditional role of the AG is to represent the State of Virginia but that is not the role Cooch chose, not the role he has played and not the role he is going to get credit for.
You only hurt your own credibility when you try not to see the truth. You would not defend a liberal activist AG would you? So why the double standard? Do you want to be a player or just another fringe screamer?
Jack Mcguire
That’s about where the Republican philosophy belongs—-in 1012
Jack,What part of my post was defending Ken? I was simple correcting you on the responsibility of the AG under VA law.
I am interested in what part of my post you regard as defending Ken. Please share.
Wow Greg, you are flat out on a roll!
Still waiting to see the cut and paste of my defnse of Ken….