As expected, HB1400 - bill to repeal mandatory helmet usage by adults 21 and over - was voted on in the House today. The bill failed to pass by 42 - 57.
Thanks to all who worked to get this bill through this year and especially those that dedicated some of their time to go to Richmond and lobby in the capitol. These efforts are priceless and as you can imagine, we need more of this during the off session.
Take a look at how the representatives voted. Then look at the Adopt-A-Rep list http://www.vfr-race.com/handouts/adoptarep.xls It lists each delegate, which district they represent, and contact info. Pick a couple of "No" votes and dedicate time this year to working with those representatives to sway their vote. They don't need to be your representative and you don't need to do this alone. Contact me (misspenny@vfr-race.com) or Jim Cannon (jim@tommcgrathlaw.com) if you need help and we'll be sure you get it. We CAN do this in Virginia, but it will take YOUR help to get there.
Here's the list of how the vote on HB1400 went today:
(floor) 02/07/06 House: VOTE: ENGROSSMENT REFUSED (42-Y 57-N)
YEAS--Abbitt, Albo, Armstrong, Athey, Bell, Bowling, Byron, Cline, Cosgrove, Cox, Dudley, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hogan, Hugo, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Kilgore, Lingamfelter, Nixon, Nutter, Peace, Phillips, Putney, Rapp, Reid, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Shuler, Suit, Ware, R.L., Welch, Wright--42.
NAYS--Alexander, Amundson, BaCote, Barlow, Brink, Bulova, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cole, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Hamilton, Hargrove, Howell, A.T., Hull, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Landes, Lewis, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Morgan, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Rust, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles, Spruill, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Watts, Wittman, Mr. Speaker--57.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
NOT VOTING--Parrish--1.
Pick a couple of those "NO" votes to work on and be sure to let me know who you picked so I can add it to the spreadsheet. This serves a couple of purposes - it helps us all know who is working where so that efforts are coordinated and it also allows for less reaction time when Delegates contact us for help within a specific district. Please be sure to pick out who you would like to work with this year and let me know.
This bill is over for this Legislative session - but our work is just beginning! Stay involved - spread the word. Together we can do this.
Yours in Liberty,
Penny
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer
"Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians." Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)
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