Albo: Yes To Walmart, No Cops & Prosecutors

Virginia has not raised the felony-misdemeanor distinction on things like shoplifting since 1979. What could $200 get you in 1979? According to this website, $200 in 1979 could buy you something worth $597.66 today.

In a recent blog posting, Senator-Elect Chap Petersen recounts a conversation he had with Senator Cuccinelli at the Police Local #5016 reception about collaborating on raising the threshold on property crimes from $200. For example, Senator-Elect Chap Petersen points out that North Carolina's threshold is set at $1,000.

Prosecutors and cops support raising this threshold and also supported it in 2004. It's a common sense measure that will save the Commonwealth money, increase jail space for more serious crimes, and keep the severe consequences of felony convictions rational and consistent with inflation. So why doesn't Virginia modify this threshold?

Well... it's opposed by Walmart and their lobbying group - the Virginia Retail Merchant's Association (VRMA). Who was the legislator of the VRMA's Legislator of the Year in 2004 for killing the last bill to raise the felony-misdemeanor threshold?

Delegate Dave Albo

Who's given Del. Dave Albo $1,250 since 2004?

But wait! Along with your expected quotient Del. Albo receiving special interest money, there's more in this AMG Exclusive Special Offer! Who's the #4 recipient of Virginia retail money since 1996 out of 141 legislators?

Delegate Dave Albo

So what's our prediction for 2007?