he Virginia General Assembly overturned multiple gubernatorial vetoes and rejected gubernatorial recommendations for a proposed smoking ban during its reconvened session that concluded Wednesday.
The Assembly did, however, approve Gov. Tim Kaine's minor changes to the two-year college transfer grant program in a nearly unanimous vote. The program will go into effect this fall and will allow students transferring from community colleges to four-year educational institutions to continue paying community college rates.
Kaine vetoed a series of three bills last week that aimed to expand the Commonwealth's capital punishment statutes. Two of these bill vetoes were overridden by substantial margins.
Del. David Albo, R-Springfield, who voted in favor of overriding all the death penalty bill vetoes, said the new laws will permit prosecutors to ask for the death penalty in cases in which witnesses or judges are murdered to influence the outcome of trials.
The third bill, which failed to garner the two-thirds of senators needed to overturn a veto, would have redefined the Commonwealth's "triggerman" rule, allowing some accessories to certain capital crimes also tobe punished by death.
Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, said although the death penalty is something people should always be uncomfortable with, there were logical reasons for voting against Kaine's vetoes.
"Taking the life of a judge or witness subverts the entire legal process," Deeds said.
Some Assembly members, however, supported the governor's vetoes.
Del. David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, said he supported the governor's death penalty bill vetoes because of ethical concerns and his belief that people with lower incomes often face the death penalty on a disproportionate basis.
A bill revised by Kaine that would have banned smoking in all commonwealth restaurants failed to pass in the House of Delegates.
Albo, who voted against Kaine's reworked bill, said the bill extended too far into the private realm.
"The bill was made out to be about restaurants," Albo said. "But in reality, the text of the bill also banned smoking in other areas, such as private events, catered events and outdoor areas."
Kaine stated in a press release that he is disappointed in lawmakers who rejected his modified smoking ban.
A press release issued by House Republicans said Kaine has had three vetoes overturned during his 15 months in office.
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