Graves: It must be General Assembly time

Politically speaking, you can tell the end of January has come and gone in Virginia. That means we’re in the heart of the time when our General Assembly, with its House of Delegates esteemed as the oldest democratic governing body in the western hemisphere, meets.

This year’s session is quite different from those of the recent past. With the Republicans, nee conservatives, in control of the executive and legislative branches of our state, Democrats and those of the liberal (yes, I’m one) persuasion, can only sit back and hope and fume.

And, because it’s the time of year when our representatives offer up new legislation, regardless of party affiliation or how ridiculous the bills may be, voting Virginians can only hope for the best. Of course, if the really bad proposed bills happen to pass, maybe their passage will inspire more non-voting Virginians to register and cast a ballot.

I’ll not make my usual plea to the legislators this year to allow casino-type gambling to help fill our state’s treasury. Instead, I’ll reiterate my most recent suggestion of saving Virginia money by eliminating the Columbus Day holiday. In case you missed why I suggested that, basically the reason for the holiday’s celebration is a lie.

Not only should the holiday be gotten rid of, our history books should be corrected. Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America or the New World; Native Americans were already living here (and in South America). For the record, he’s thought to have landed on a small island south of Florida, in present-day Bahamas.

However, as for two bills — one I’ll categorize as discriminatory; the other as ridiculous — offered by two delegates, one a Republican and the other a Democrat:

The Associated Press reported recently that one of “several Republican bills that would compel drug tests for welfare recipients has sailed through a key committee toward a final House vote by week’s end.”

The legislation by Del. Richard “Dickie” Bell of Staunton would require initial screening of people seeking temporary aid for needy families. Other Republican bills would require community service or drug testing of the unemployed that seek benefits.

Welfare recipients or applicants who show signs of illegal drug use would be tested. And, if they fail a series of screenings, they would forfeit benefits.

I agree with Democrats who believe the bills are unconstitutional, a violation of unreasonable search and seizures. Del. Lionel Spruill asked if drug testing should be required of other state employees and even legislators.

Responding, Bell replied, “I don’t think that’s necessarily the next logical step, but I would say this: People who aren’t using illegal drugs don’t have anything to worry about.”

Bell is correct, but I would suggest that state recipients of benefits (pay) perhaps should be tested for alcohol abuse. I’d hate for a delegate to deny benefits to those in need while under the influence of booze. It’s similar to the situation of when presidential hopeful and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich tried to impeach President Bill Clinton for sexual trysts with White House intern Monica Lewinski.

Then there was a bill sponsored by Del. David Englin. The Democrat wants the General Assembly to study the possibility of legalizing marijuana and eventually selling it in state ABC stores.

He must be under the influence of drugs or alcohol — or dreaming. He has to know that, with Virginia under the control of Republicans, that bill will never see the light of day. It won’t clear any committee vote.

Yes, it’s February in Virginia, the General Assembly is still in session and bad bills are all around us.