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HEAV’s Day at the Capitol offered a unique
glimpse into state government—past and
present! Parents and students interacted with
historical and present-day
legislators—Patrick Henry, George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee, as
well as Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney
General Bob McDonnell, Delegate Chris Peace
(Henrico), and Senator Ken Cuccinelli (Fairfax).
Homeschool parents and students listened to their elected officials then had the opportunity to ask questions. They heard an up-to-the-minute review of the legislation HEAV was tracking from HEAV lobbyist Ben Lansing, and learned how a bill becomes a law by participating in a fun Mock General Assembly conducted by Day at the Capitol host Martin Brown.
A short bus trip to Capitol Square provided
opportunities to visit legislators, view the
General Assembly in session, and take
scheduled tours of the Executive Mansion, the
Capitol grounds, or the Supreme Court. The
day ended with a special reenactment of the
Second Continental Congress by the Virginia
Patriots at St. John’s Church. What a thrill
to feel we were part of the passionate
debates as the reenactors sat among the
audience and jumped to their feet to make a
point. Parents and students were encouraged
to join the heated discussion with an
appropriate, “Hear, hear!” or “Nay!” with
enthusiastic hand-pounding on the benches to
show their agreement.
Gifts for the LegislatorsVicki Bentley prepared gift baskets for our legislative speakers, and we hand-delivered a gift basket filled with candy, home-baked bread, and a homeschool book to Governor Timothy Kaine’s office. Governor Kaine recently responded with a thank-you letter expressing his support for home education.
See the Pictures!
If you weren’t able to join us, you can see
a pictorial review of Day at the Capitol. And
if you were with us, you might find yourself
in one of the photos, thanks to homeschooler
and entrepreneur Seth Fisher of Through
My Lens Photography!
Despite the damp weather, the day was filled with lots of fun learning experiences and great fellowship!
Since 2004 our State Capitol has been in the
midst of a restoration and extension project.
The work is nearing completion and the
Capitol is scheduled to reopen this spring. A
Time Capsule will be buried under the State
Seal at the entrance to the new Capitol
Extension during the dedication. It will be a
historical record of the people living at the
beginning of the 21st Century.
You may remember that last spring the Capitol Restoration Committee requested a list of items from homeschoolers to include in the Time Capsule. HEAV requested your suggestions in an Update and submitted your responses for consideration. The preliminary list has been published and several of your suggestions are included! To see if your item is on the list, view the preliminary list of items. You can read interesting facts about the Capitol restoration project and even take a virtual tour!
This short legislative session was very
intense, and many thanks go to our
legislative team: Yvonne Bunn, Ben Lansing,
Martin Brown, Caroline Barnes, and Anne
Miller. Many of the bills HEAV was most
concerned about failed and some were amended
to offer protection for homeschooling
families. Several good bills passed. Listed
below are summaries of some of the bills we
tracked that may affect homeschool families.
Religious Freedom - HB 3082 patroned by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31, Woodbridge) and promoted by Home School Legal Defense will codify an expanded view of religious liberty. The bill is similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and similar to legislation passed in twenty other states to protect religious freedom. It puts the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) into the state code ensuring that religious liberty will only be restricted if it 1) furthers a compelling government interest and 2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. PASSED.
Community College Transfer Grant Program – HB 1681 patroned by Delegate Vincent Callahan (R-McLean) provides a grant for qualified students who obtain an associate’s degree from a Virginia community college with a 3.0 average and transfer to a public or private four-year college or university in the Commonwealth. PASSED, BUT IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO RECONCILE THE GRANT AMOUNT.
HPV or the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Requirement – SB 1230 patroned by Senator Janet Howell (D-Reston) and HB 2035 patroned by Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News) requires girls to receive three properly spaced doses of (HPV) vaccine with the first dose given before a female child’s entry into sixth grade. A parent or guardian may elect for his daughter NOT TO RECEIVE this vaccine after reviewing materials describing the link between the human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. The bill includes a delayed effective date of October 1, 2008. PASSED.
Public/Private Education Investment Tax Credit – HB 1843 patroned by Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) would have provided a tax credit in the form of a scholarship for public, private, or homeschooled students. Non-profit organizations could have established a scholarship fund and businesses and individuals who donated to the fund could have obtained a tax credit. FAILED.
Retail Sales Tax Exemption on Computer Purchases – HB2167 patroned by Benjamin Cline (R-Richmond) would have established a three-day period when there would be no sales tax on the purchase of computers, computer software, and hand-held devices. Cost limits would apply. FAILED.
Cell Phone Restrictions for Teens – SB 1039 patroned by Senator Jay O’Brien (R-Clifton) prohibits the use of cell phones by drivers under the age of 19 while operating a motor vehicle even if they are using a hands-free device. Exceptions include cell phone use in an emergency or when the teen is parked or stopped. Police officers can ticket violators $50, but only if they are stopped for another traffic offense. PASSED.
K-4 Kindergarten – HB 1636 patroned by Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) and SB 205 patroned by John Edwards (D-Roanoke) would have expanded eligibility for kindergarten programs to four-year-olds. FAILED.
A 15-year-old German homeschooled teen was removed by force from her parent’s home by 15 police officers and social workers and placed in a psychiatric unit for “school-phobia.” She has since been moved to an undisclosed location without the authorities informing her parents. There are approximately 40 other cases pending against homeschoolers in Germany. The German Embassy has stated they cannot allow "parallel cultures." Evidently Christian homeschooling is a "parallel culture" that Germany does not want. You can read a more detailed account and find out how you can help at HSLDA’s e-lert archive. The article German Home School Teen Moved, Parents Not Informed... describes the same terrible situation and asks for your assistance.
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This page last edited: 7 March 2007
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