Keam, Petersen to Host Town Hall on 2013 Session

Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th) are teaming up to host their annual town hall Saturday, just days after the start of the Virginia General Assembly's 2013 Session in Richmond.

The meeting is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the American Legion Dyer-Gunnell Post 180's Auxiliary, 330 N. Center Street, Vienna. 

Keam and Petersen will give an overview of the bills they have filed, or plan to file, this session, as well as the House and Senate's agenda for the year. 

Constituents can also talk about issues or give ideas and suggestions to the legislators.

Petersen has pre-filed several bills (see Petersen's bills for the 2013 session), including one that would help restore voting rights to residents convicted of felonies.

In a blog post on the issue, Petersen writes Virginia's definition of a felony has broadened over the last three decades, and can now include "selling a pound of marijuana or stealing a $250 sweater."

"I’m not defending either of these acts," he writes. "I’m just pointing out there is a range of criminal behavior.  (All of us know a friend or relative who falls in the category of doing something really stupid when they were young.  When does the statute of limitations run on that?)"

His constitutional amendment would restore voting rights automatically to felons after they've served time.

"This is the standard in many of our neighboring states. It makes sense," Petersen wrote.

Among the other bills he has pre-filed:

• Increasing the number of members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board to 18, by adding one citizen, and also changing the way representatives are chosen, taking them from congressional districts instead of construction districts.
• A constitutional amendment that would automatically expire tax credits after five years unless they are re-enacted by the General Assembly.

Keam has said he plans to file a bill exempting Tysons residents from a proposed tax district, or, allowing them to pay a lower rate than businesses or developers.

No RSVP is required for Saturday's event. Questions? Contact Julia Kim at (703) 350-3911 or julia@markkeam.com.