SENATE DEMOCRATS ACT AND DO THE RIGHT THING

Now will the House Republicans match this effort?

VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC SENATE CONFEREES ANNOUNCE SUPPORT TO FUND ALICIA’S LAW

Senators Pledge Provide Funding for Sen. Deeds and Del. Moran’s Initiative

(Richmond, Va.) – The Virginia Senate Democratic Budget Conferees announced today their support for funding for enforcement of Alicia’s Law.

“This is a priority for us in the Senate and should be a priority for all budget conferees,” Senator Charles Colgan (D-Prince William), Senate Finance Committee chairman, said.  “This is a long budget process and nothing is set in stone yet, but we are going to fight to put the $1.25 million back in the budget for enforcement.”

Alicia’s Law is named after Alicia Kozkeiwicz, a 13 year-old girl who was taken from her home and later discovered in the basement of a man who had assaulted her while streaming video of the attacks online.

Law enforcement officials report that they know of 19,000 computers in Virginia where child pornography is being but lack the resources and manpower to catch these offenders.

“We have the ability to track these criminals down and stop this from continuing,” Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax), also a budget conferee, said.  “We need to give our local law enforcement help to start this program.”

Bills to fund Alicia’s Law were originally introduced by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) and Delegate Brian Moran (D-Alexandria).

“Even though this was a Democratic initiative, we believe supporting this should be non-partisan.  We are going to do our best to get funding in the budget to get this initiative started,” Senator Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania) said.

Senator Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax), the majority leader in the Senate, said the need to restore money for this cause is necessary.

“These crimes are unthinkable and we need to start this program and help bring these criminals to justice.”

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Comments

[Social Conservative]

The Family Foundation blog, familyfoundationblog.com had this story last night. Looks like they beat you to the punch.

[Sam]

What is the reason they're giving?

[John]

Ben, should I run against Saslaw in 2011?

[Not Larry Sabato]

John- wait and see what he does on this, but you would be an excellent candidate for any office.

This would be a first: NLS, the Family Foundation, other liberal family advocates and right wing family advocates getting together to work against a party member like Saslaw that is just been in elected office far too long and has way too many special interests to protect.

Is 1 millions dollars to much to ask for protecting our children from monsters? I guess it is for Saslaw. This is not a GOP or DEM issue, its about at least taking small steps to protect children.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

LOL....so who is going to primary Sen Saslaw? Vivian maybe? Come on! I have issues with some of Sen Saslaw's actions, particularly on environmental and social issues, but he's still a good guy.

I think you'll be hard pressed to primary him. Understatement!

But hey, good luck! Maybe you can find some Ron Paul supporters to help out. They've got a great track record!

[John]

Thanks very much Ben - I really appreciate that. Especially coming from you. Saslaw's district is my old district, but I think I'd rather move back to Fairfax when we return north next year and then take on Cuccinelli in 2011. The tough thing there, of course, would be getting the Democratic nomination. I'd probably be low in the pecking order for that.

[Church Hill Dem]

Well put, Doug.

Please primary Saslaw!

[Southside Democrat]

Primary please!

ALL of Virginia wants Saslaw out. Drain the swamp...

This is good stuff Ben.

One question - will you be carrying Brian Moran's water throughout the entire 2009 campaign?

[t]

The Family Foundation is Great!

Saslaw is, and long been, an embarrasment.

Anon 12:06 - Creigh Deeds sponsored the Senate Bill for Alicia's Law, as Brian Moran did in the House. Just in case it's not clear to folks, this isn't about gubernatorial elections today--it's about protecting children.

[Social Conservative]

Family Foundation and "liberal groups" (your words) are already working together on opposing payday lending - another industry Saslaw is fighting hard to defend.

Many of these 19000 computers are illegal immigrants. The dem's took a pass on putting teeth in that legislation, now they want to look like hero's?

Fund this bill and also send the Illegal immigrant perverts back to where they came from so that their daughters can live in fear.