The RoundTable welcomes Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
He is now live and ready to answer your questions.
We received a few advance questions posted below:
Bradford Wiles
Greetings, the Utah Supreme Court recently ruled that the University of Utah does not have the authority to ban legally licensed guns from its campus, as it is a state institution and must follow state law respecting the constitution of the state. Do you intend to follow the ruling in similar fashion in the Commonwealth, allowing legally licensed students, teachers and employees to carry guns on a university campus? The former Attorney General's opinion regarding the Board of Visitors power is that they can determine Second Amendment rights of the students, faculty and staff by expulsion or termination (not via prosecution). I would like to know if you plan on rectifying the situation to reflect the rights ennumerated in both the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and prevent unelected officials from denying university commmunity members the right to self defense. Because Virginia's colleges are public institutions, shouldn't they reflect the laws of the Commonwealth?
Thank you,
Bradford Wiles
MarkO
What is your position on the Smoking Ban in Virginia? How would enforcement affect your office?
Philip Jones :
Why does Virginia allow illegal aliens and possible terrorists to purchase, title, and register motor vehicles without having a drivers license?
Senator Stolle has repeatedly thwarted legislation designed to remove criminal illegal aliens from our roads by defeating the 287(g) in his committe.
Last week in Virginia Beach Allison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16 were killed in a most preventable accident on the night of March 30th by a repeat offender illegal alien. While he does not have a valid operator's license, DMV does not prevent him titling and registering (tags) for another vehicle.
Chris :
Mr. Attorney General,
Would you support a statewide biomass/biofuel program similar to what Mayor George Fitch is doing in Warrenton--using his cities trash and bio mass to create free public electrcity? In a broader view, where do you think Republicans can go to start winning back the enviromental and conservation issues?
Phantom08
Mr. Attorney General,
Thank you for taking to live-blog with us.
Are you supporting any candidates in the upcoming VA General Assembly primaries? If so, which ones? The Bell-Smith primary seems to be heating up, and I'd love to hear your opinion.
John
AG McDonnell,
I read your press release dated April 4, 2007 in which you expressed your obvious elation with the decision of the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit which dismissed Eugene Winkler’s lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD). As you know Mr. Winkler alleged that the DOD violated the constitution by providing support to the Boy Scouts of America in violation of the religious establishment clause.
As you also know this “victory” for the DOD was based on a “technicality.” The court did not decide whether the DOD violated the constitution. The court merely decided that Mr. Winkler did not have standing as a taxpayer to challenge the actions of the DOD because the money spent by the DOD in support of the Boy Scouts was incidental.
So my question is this: Why do you express such joy and happiness with this win based on a technicality but such derision and disgust when a criminal defendant wins a case on a technicality?
Thank you for considering my question and taking the time to blog on this page.
Walker :
Attorney General McDonnell,
Regarding Dominion’s transmission line proposal, are you concerned that Dominion has yet to provide the public, especially those directly impacted, with information proving their claims of increased demand and the potential for alternatives? Don’t we, the people of Virginia, deserve full disclosure from Dominion before they ask the State Corporation Commission to seize private property and erect 15 story-tall power towers to carry a 500,000 volt transmission line through the region?
My organization, Virginians for Sensible Energy Policies (VSEP) is extremely concerned by Dominion’s dismissive attitude towards Virginia’s residents on this issue and continues to believe that all of Virginia’s future energy needs can be met through a comprehensive state energy plan that promotes the use of modern technology and energy efficiency.
Thank you for your time.
Southside
Any comments from yesterday's veto session? The death penalty overrides, transportation?
Southside Virginia Independent
AG-
Thanks for stopping in! I was wondering if you could comment on the economic situation in Southside and Southwest Virginia. I know as an AG that is not necessarily in your job description, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to ramp up the sagging economy and unemployment rates in this region. It seems like NOVA dominates political headlines, and thats understandable to some degree, but we are people too! Aside from that, its always good to hear from potential Gubernatorial candidates! Thank you and I await your response.
Comments
[April 5, 2007 11:11 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comGreat to be here with Virginians from the Roanoke area, and statewide. Sorry we are a few minutes late in getting started, it has been a busy time around Richmond the past few days! I am honored to be the first elected official to live blog on this site, and I hope today's event will be the start of a series of informative and interactive live blogs with elected officials and visitors to The Roanoke Times Roundtable. With that I will start taking questions, and again, thanks to Luanne and The Roanoke Times editorial staff for the invitation to be on the site.
[April 5, 2007 11:14 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: Southside
Any comments from yesterday's veto session? The death penalty overrides, transportation?
Bob: There was the usual mix of approvals and rejections. While some of the Governor's transportation amendments are problematic, the GOP initiated transportation legislation will now be enacted into law. This is the first major transportation investment and reform act in over two decades. I believe it was a successful session on a variety of issues from property rights to Internet safety to Homeland Security. I credit Bill Howell for his leadership in improving civility in the legislature.
[April 5, 2007 11:23 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: John
AG McDonnell,
I read your press release dated April 4, 2007 in which you expressed your obvious elation with the decision of the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit which dismissed Eugene Winkler’s lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD). As you know Mr. Winkler alleged that the DOD violated the constitution by providing support to the Boy Scouts of America in violation of the religious establishment clause.
As you also know this “victory” for the DOD was based on a “technicality.” The court did not decide whether the DOD violated the constitution. The court merely decided that Mr. Winkler did not have standing as a taxpayer to challenge the actions of the DOD because the money spent by the DOD in support of the Boy Scouts was incidental.
So my question is this: Why do you express such joy and happiness with this win based on a technicality but such derision and disgust when a criminal defendant wins a case on a technicality?
Thank you for considering my question and taking the time to blog on this page.
Answer: Thanks for the question. The bottom line of this case is it is a victory for the Boy Scouts, The Department of Defense, and for the Commonwealth. Should there be a further appeal, or other cases on the merits of this important first amendment question, we will take an active role again in defending religious freedom.
The Boy Scout Jamboree means millions of dollars in tax revenue for Virginia, and it gives Virginia scouts the opportunity to attend a national event right in their own backyard.
As far as your suggestion that we respond with "disgust" when a criminal charge is thrown out on a "technicality", I'm not aware of the basis for this comment.
This office is a strong supporter of the criminal justice system and continues to suggest ways to improve constitutional protections for criminal defendants. This year we helped lead the fight for improved compensation for court appointed attorneys. When a defendant's charge is dismissed based on a violation of his constitutional rights, as opposed to the ultimate question of guilt or innocence, that is a just decision.
[April 5, 2007 11:26 AM]
L. TraudAgain, thanks for joining us. You have focused much attention on Internet predators. Do you think that the government also needs to be watchful of cyberbullying or the posting of false information about people on the Internet? If so, what would you propose?
[April 5, 2007 11:27 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: MarkO
What is your position on the Smoking Ban in Virginia? How would enforcement affect your office?
Answer: The Governor's proposed amendment, rejected by the legislature, likely reached too far. The existing definition of the term "restaurant" in the Virginia code would have made the Governor's amendment apply to things such as hot dog stands and other outside venues. We were not just talking about your local Olive Garden, the code is much broader than that.
As far as my personal opinion, I believe that the free market and personal choices of consumers are the best mix for making the decisions about smoking in a traditional restaurant. There are many new smoke free restaurants in the private sector because the public is demanding them. And I think that is the best way for this issue to be solved.
[April 5, 2007 11:30 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: Phantom08
Mr. Attorney General,
Thank you for taking to live-blog with us.
Are you supporting any candidates in the upcoming VA General Assembly primaries? If so, which ones? The Bell-Smith primary seems to be heating up, and I'd love to hear your opinion.
Answer: As a general rule I am not going to be involved in any interparty primaries. Our local Republican Party units and their activist members will make informed decisions over the course of the next few months. My goal is to increase our majorities in November.
[April 5, 2007 11:38 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: Bradford Wiles
Greetings, the Utah Supreme Court recently ruled that the University of Utah does not have the authority to ban legally licensed guns from its campus, as it is a state institution and must follow state law respecting the constitution of the state. Do you intend to follow the ruling in similar fashion in the Commonwealth, allowing legally licensed students, teachers and employees to carry guns on a university campus? The former Attorney General's opinion regarding the Board of Visitors power is that they can determine Second Amendment rights of the students, faculty and staff by expulsion or termination (not via prosecution). I would like to know if you plan on rectifying the situation to reflect the rights ennumerated in both the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and prevent unelected officials from denying university commmunity members the right to self defense. Because Virginia's colleges are public institutions, shouldn't they reflect the laws of the Commonwealth?
Thank you,
Bradford Wiles
Answer: Thanks for the question. My predecessor, Judy Jagdmann addressed this issue prior to my taking office. See www.vaag.com and click on legal resources to get to old opinions. The opinion found that college boards cannot impose a general prohibition on carrying concealed weapons on campus, but that authority existed for some regulation for students, faculty, and employees.
The General Assembly would need to clarify the law if it wished to completely remove any regulatory authority from Boards of Visitors.
I continue to be a strong supporter of Virginian's Second Amendment rights, and pursued several pieces of legislation this session in support of Virginia's law abiding citizens.
[April 5, 2007 11:38 AM]
Dave BlankowskiAG McDonnell,
I recently relocated to WIlliamsburg Virginia & purchased property because of the 2002 legislation regulating the Payday Loan Industry. What is your position in regard to payday lending?
Thanks for your time!
[April 5, 2007 11:48 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://www.vaag.comQuestion: Philip Jones :
Why does Virginia allow illegal aliens and possible terrorists to purchase, title, and register motor vehicles without having a drivers license?
Senator Stolle has repeatedly thwarted legislation designed to remove criminal illegal aliens from our roads by defeating the 287(g) in his committe.
Last week in Virginia Beach Allison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16 were killed in a most preventable accident on the night of March 30th by a repeat offender illegal alien. While he does not have a valid operator's license, DMV does not prevent him titling and registering (tags) for another vehicle
Answer: I believe that those who are illegally present in the United States should not be given the privileges of citizenship. I am particularly concerned about those who are illegally present and commit crimes in Virginia, particularly those involved in gangs and other violent criminal activity. Over the last few months, I've proposed legislation to improve Virginia's ability to enforce various laws concerning illegal aliens. I have also requested that the Governor enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) to have the authority to detain illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes in Virginia. This would've empowered the DMV, among other agencies, to enforce certain federal immigration laws in the interest of public safety. Unfortunately the Governor has declined to do so at this time. However, I am assisting local governments in entering such agreements with the federal government. While I am in the difficult spot of having no current authority to enforce federal immigration laws, we will continue to pursue new tools to protect Virginia citizens. I am currently evaluating all aspects of the Virginia Beach case and others like it to see how we can improve the law.
[April 5, 2007 11:53 AM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://vaag.comQuestion: Southside Virginia Independent
AG-
Thanks for stopping in! I was wondering if you could comment on the economic situation in Southside and Southwest Virginia. I know as an AG that is not necessarily in your job description, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to ramp up the sagging economy and unemployment rates in this region. It seems like NOVA dominates political headlines, and thats understandable to some degree, but we are people too! Aside from that, its always good to hear from potential Gubernatorial candidates! Thank you and I await your response.
Answer: Great question. I was just this week in Chatham, Abingdon, Danville, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Farmville and Vinton. The region has clearly been hurt by losses in business sectors related to tobacco, textiles, furniture and other industries. Listening to local leaders, a key is to improve workforce development, as the region develops other industries, the creation of a college in Martinsville, the advanced technology center in Danville and other sites are playing a major role in bringing technology jobs to the region. My office is working on reforming Virginia's regulations and strengthening the business climate generally, which will help all regions of the state.
[April 5, 2007 12:00 PM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://vaag.comQuestion:
Chris :
Mr. Attorney General,
Would you support a statewide biomass/biofuel program similar to what Mayor George Fitch is doing in Warrenton--using his cities trash and bio mass to create free public electrcity? In a broader view, where do you think Republicans can go to start winning back the enviromental and conservation issues?
Answer: Chris, it was great doing a live blog on your site last month. I think that conservation is a conservative value. Republican leaders have initiated major new investments in environmental protection programs during the last two sessions of the legislature by dedicating significant revenues to upgrade water treatment facilities and supporting best management practices. In my office, we use the court system when necessary to protect Virginia's waters and natural resources, and currently are pursuing litigation against a water treatment facility in the Valley to bring them into compliance with state law. A clean Virginia environment is a boon to economic development. We will continue to support recycling, creative biomass projects and alternative energy sources to keep Virginia's environment clean. The Republican Party is the party of Teddy Roosevelt, a strong proponent of environmental protection.
[April 5, 2007 12:03 PM]
Bob McDonnell : →http://vaag.comIt was a privilege to be the first elected official to do a live blog on RoanokeTimes.com. I look forward to continuing our regular blog interaction, via podcasts, live blogs, and conference calls. Today was an interesting mix of traditional media and new media. I was excited to be a part of it. Thanks to Luanne Traud and the rest of the Roanoke Times editorial staff for hosting this event.
[April 5, 2007 12:10 PM]
L. TraudThank you, Attorney General McDonnell, for joining The RoundTable today. Please stop in again.
While the attorney general has stopped taking questions, we will leave this thread open for comments
[April 5, 2007 2:54 PM]
WillRegarding the AG's position on the failed attempt to ban smoking in restaurants, he obviously is out of touch with the majority of residents in the State of Virginia. I think it demonstrates that the tobacco lobby is firmly entrenched in his back pocket.
I would hope that any legislator that voted against the ban on smoking in a restaurant would be voted out of office during the next election. I sincerely hope that Morgan Griffith is the first one voted out of office. He is a shameful excuse for a legislator.