Albo Takes Down The Carpetlayers

We've previously brought you stories about various groups Del. Dave Albo seems to hate. These include:

• People who rent homes (AMG, Albo Hammers Renters Again & AMG, Albo Hates Renters)
• Diabetics & Quadriplegics (AMG, Albo Hates Diabetics and Quadriplegics)
• PTA Moms and their cookie sales (AMG, Dave Albo v. The PTA);
• Children in subsidized childcare (AMG, Is Albo Offering to Babysit 1,900 Children);
• Child rape victims (AMG, Dave Albo Sides With Child Molesters Again);
• People who aren't wealthy (Del. Dave Albo - "my people are wealthy") (AMG, Robbin the Hood for Middleburg);
• Undocumented Immigrants (AMG, Does Albo Want to Make Money Off Illegal Immigration? & Albo Fills the Jail & Busts the Bank);
• His Clients (AMG, The Pot Calls the Kettle Black, see also Abuser Fees).

Well, now we can add one more to the list - the EVIL roofers, carpet layers, and handymen of this world. This group is a real scourge upon our society. Going up and down ladders with box cutters in their pockets. Citizens shudder at the thought of carpet being rolled upon the floor.

Yes, Del. Dave Albo has introduced legislation to ease our minds by making it a misdemeanor (felony on a second offense) to carry a concealed boxcutter. Yes, no long will carpetlayers be able to keep their weapons in their pockets, they must carry them in the open.

Instead of our own analysis, we bring you this email sent to Albo Must Go which we simply quote the text below:

This proposed legislation is preposterous. Dave Albo now wants to make virtually every roofer, carpet layer, and handyman in the state into a criminal. If this law passes, a roofer could not legally carry a boxcutter onto a roof in his pocket or toolbag. He would somehow need to keep it in plain view; not hidden by his hand or clothing. Likewise, a carpet layer could not put his carpet knife (aka boxcutter) into a pocket or toolbelt without violating the concealed weapons law.

Boxcutters are not the only tool which could potentially be misused as a weapon. Large screwdrivers, sharpened awls, pruning saws, and a pipe wrench can all be used by a criminal to inflict injuries to the same or greater degree as a boxcutter. Many tradesmen use boxcutters and other such tools in their line of work. They typically carry these tools in trouser or coat pockets, toolbelts, or other places about their person.

On the job, en route to a work site, or after hours, it's not uncommon to carry small tools including box cutters in one's pockets. Evidently Del. Albo is not thinking about citizens in these lines of work.

I am not employed in any of these professions, but I do carry a small tool bag behind the front seat of my automobile. This tool bag contains--among other things--a box cutter. Because the location of the bag makes it readily at hand about my person, under this law I could be charged and convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, the same as if it contained a loaded handgun.

"Delegate Albo not thinking about citizens" in the manual trades? Why would that be?

"My job is to fight for my people, my people are wealthy."
- Del. Dave Albo, Washington Post, Jan. 1, 2004

Oh yeah. Well, perhaps the carpetlayers, roofers and handymen ougtht to start a PAC. Delegate Albo seems to listen to those. . . .

KO: Albo Knocked Off the Air By Repeal

It looks like the first casualty of the repeal of "abuser fees" is Del. Dave Albo's website including his pro-abuser fee page which he put up to justify his plan.

RIP davealbo.com


(click to enlarge)

Jim Gilmore Blasts Albo "Tax Increases"

Former Governor Jim Gilmore issued the following press release today:

"It is absolutely wrong for the state to be using the justice system to collect taxes."

Jim Gilmore
Dec. 22, 2007

January 23, 2008

For Immediate Release

GILMORE LAUDS REPEAL OF THE ABUSIVE-DRIVER FEES
Alexandria -- Former

Governor Jim Gilmore issued a short statement commending the Virginia General Assembly for their vote yesterday repealing the excessive driver fees that had been enacted last July, in an effort to use the Justice System to generate revenues:

“Repealing these excessive driver fees is a first step in beginning to address the fact that Virginia’s working families are already financially over burdened and that the enactment of tax increases disguised as fees is not the way to move forward in a time of economic uncertainty.”

Something we never thought we'd see - even Governor Gilmore is accusing Delegate Albo of disguised tax increases? Has anyone heard Delegate Albo say he thinks abuser fees are actually bad public policy yet? If so, post it up in the comments.

An Abuser Fee U-Turn or a Detour?

Today, Del. Dave Albo announced he was voting to repeal abuser fees even though he thinks they are "a good concept" and after introducing a bill this session to expand abuser fees. Here's the video:



Huh? Not Larry Sabato and Raising Kaine declared that Delegate Albo has surrendered. Well if you can figure out exactly what in the world he's saying, post it up in the comments. We can't figure out exactly what he's trying to say here. It's like he's saying I'll vote your way, but you're all wrong?

Then, at the end of his statement he says he promised his constituents that he would vote against anything that treated in-state and out-of-state residents differently. Twelve months ago he boasted that abuser fees only applied to in-state residents but he voted for them anyways? Here's the video:



Confused about his position yet? So are we. Delegate Albo - one simple question.

Do you still support "abuser fees" or not?

Yes or no.

You can't support them AND vote for repeal.

The Connection Not Fooled by Albo's Head Fake

The Burke Connection recently ran a story regarding Del. Dave Albo's continued push to keep his abuser fee's alive in the face of overwhelming opposition.

In his interview with Julia O'Donoghue, Del. Albo apparently tried to downplay his personal financial stake this legislation. The Connection, didn't buy it:

Some Albo critics have said that the legislator is pushing for the fees because his law firm, which handles a lot of traffic law, benefits financially.

Albo said this is counterintuitive since the fees are meant to decrease harmful driving behavior eventually and therefore would not benefit him financially over the long term.

But Albo's law firm, Albo & Oblon L.L.P., recently advertised in "Virginia Lawyers Weekly" for lawyers to help open new offices in Tidewater, the Roanoke Valley, Fredericksburg and the Shenandoah Valley.

The advertisement said these new lawyers would initially focus on criminal and traffic law. Albo Still Pushing Abusive Driving Fees, The Burke Connection (Jan. 16, 2008).

It's nice to see some reporters willing to call out spin when they see it.

Constituent to Albo: "A Career Ending Exercise"

A constituent to Del. Dave Albo recently sent him the following (which was also sent to most members of the Northern Virginia delegation):

Albo defends driver fees - - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper [Jan. 15, 2008]

David, it is heroic for a Captain to go down with his ship; but, such an effort is usually a career ending exercise. At this point in time, 177,740 Virginians have asked you and your colleagues to repeal the so-called Abusive-driver fees. You can continue to have a pride in the authorship of HB3202, as you go down with flags flying.

I remain your observing and involved constituent,

Lon Caldwell [address removed]

Delegate Albo - are you listening to anyone?

RTD Hammers Albo For Resume Padding

From today's Richmond Times Dispatch Editorial:

Transportation is becoming a hardy perennial: Almost certainly, the Assembly will revisit the abusive-driver fees and the enhanced fines for traffic infractions that it passed last year. And almost certainly, the session will see the usual bills about abortion, guns, and the other routine subjects of perpetual contention.

Lawmakers will promote their own multifarious pet causes, as well as the causes their constituents ask them to promote. The subjects will range from the grandiose (changes to the Virginia Constitution) to the minute (commending the town of Elkton on its hundredth anniversary) and everything in between (animal welfare, banning text-messaging while driving).

If we have a lament about the legislature in general, it is a lament about democracy in general: the seeming necessity, in order to curry favor with voters, of endless tinkering.

To cite but one instance, consider HB160. The bill provides that when someone is convicted of larceny, and it is determined at trial that he used an emergency exit to leave the store he has just burgled, he shall be guilty of a class 6 felony. We bow to no one in our support for law and order -- but this is just silly. The measure does not reduce the incidence of larceny; it addresses no crying need. It is mere résumé-padding for its sponsor, Del. David Albo.

General Assembly sessions would go a lot more quickly if lawmakers looked more after their constituents' interests and less after their own. (And if a frog had wings . . . .) Editorial, At the Capitol, Richmond Times Dispatch (Jan. 6, 2008).

Just as Del. Dave Albo says:

Lt. Governor Isolates Albo On Abuser Fees

Republican Lt. Governor Bill Bolling sent out the press release below on January 3, 2008. The original release can be found here.

Well here's one elected official who listened to The People. So Del. Albo - when are you going to listen to your constituents???

Albo Must Go

****Press Release****

Lieutenant Governor Bolling Encourages Repeal of Abusive Driver Fees

Contact: Randy Marcus
804-786-2078 or 804-814-7117(cell)
randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Richmond - Lt. Governor Bill Bolling today sent via mail the attached and below letter to Republican members and members-elect of the General Assembly outlining his support for a full repeal of the abusive driver fees and encouraging Republican lawmakers to support full repeal as well.

January 3, 2008

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXX:

I look forward to seeing you in Richmond next week and working with you during this year's legislative session to achieve our mutual goals.

One of the important issues we will consider this year is repeal or revision of the abusive driver fee legislation that was enacted by the General Assembly last year. I am writing to advise you of my belief that the abusive driver fee legislation should be repealed and to ask for your support of our efforts to accomplish this goal.

When the concept of abusive driver fees was first discussed several years ago, many of us felt it was a legitimate way to raise money for transportation construction. In addition, by applying these fees to the most serious traffic related offenses, we also felt it was a legitimate way to improve safety on Virginia's highways. This was also one of the things that the members of the General Assembly seemed to agree on, so it was appropriate to include this legislation in the 2007 transportation package.

Unfortunately, it has since become apparent that the legislation inadvertently applied the abusive driver fees to a number of less serious traffic related offenses, and the Governor's amendments, which exempted out of state drivers from the abusive driver fees, made the legislation terribly unpopular. Both of these problems with the legislation are unacceptable.

In addition, recent information provided by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission indicates that the abusive driver fees are not generating anywhere near the $60M a year we had been told they would generate. In fact, the fees only resulted in total collections of $2.8M through November 30th of 2007.

Given these considerations, it is my belief that the abusive driver fees should be repealed. While it may be possible to address some of the concerns that have been raised, such as those discussed above, through revisions to the 2007 legislation, I believe that would be a mistake. While this was the most noble of efforts, it simply has not worked out the way it was intended, and it has become terribly unpopular in the public eye. That is why I favor the total repeal of the abusive driver fees, as opposed to their modification.

I am pleased to report that Delegate Lacey Putney, Delegate Mark Cole and Senator Ken Cuccinelli have agreed to introduce legislation calling for repeal of the abusive driver fees. Other legislators will most likely introduce similar legislation. I encourage you to sign on as a co-patron of this legislation and give it your support during this year's legislative session.

Thank you for considering my views on this important issue. If you have any questions, or would like to share your feedback with me on this issue, please let me know.

Very Truly Yours,

WILLIAM T. BOLLING
Lieutenant Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia

WTB/

For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.

Albo & Big Tobacco Run With Jim Crow & Joe McCarthy?

In 2007 session, a huge ruckus ensued after Gov. Tim Kaine attempted to amend legislation in order to ban smoking in restaurants. Delegate Dave Albo was roundly criticized here and on several other blogs for being one of only 3 Fairfax County legislators to vote against Governor Kaine's amendment.

Not Larry Sabato's piece, Dave "Altria" Albo, featured one green dot for every dollar of money Delegate Dave Albo has taken from the cigarette manufacturing company, Altria, FKA Phillip Morris and one red dot for every gift dollar he's taken from them. See AMG, Albo: "Nobody Expects Anything in Return" (Apr. 23, 2007). Kenton Ngo also did a post on the topic here comparing Albo's tobacco and alcohol connections.

Well, we all know how Delegate Albo feels about the voters:

"There comes a point where I don't care how big a supporter a group like the home builders is. At a certain point, you have to listen to the voters." Delegate Dave Albo to Marc Fisher, GOP Flag-Burning, Metaphorically Speaking, The Washington Post, C1 (Jan. 14, 2007).

Last time we checked, Delegate Albo had received $16,845 in campaign donations and gifts from tobacco interests and over $130,000 from the alcohol industry which includes restaurants. AMG, Albo: "Nobody Expects Anything in Return" (Apr. 23, 2007). The Virginian-Pilot pointed out that Delegate Albo ranked second in the entire House of Delegates for tobacco money in the 2005-2007 cycle.

So has Delegate Dave Albo listened to the voters or is he listening to the "big . . . supporter . . . groups"?? Here's what he told the Washington Times last month:

"If the restaurant guys and ladies want to be regulated, I think something could be done," said Delegate David B. Albo, Fairfax Republican. "Until then, you have the same problems with these bills we have had for years: It is un-American to come into someone's restaurant or bar and tell them what to do with their family business." Virginia restauranters want state to butt out, Washington Times, (Dec. 28, 2007).

That's an interesting argument on several levels. First, it brings back to mind these quotes from Delegate Albo regarding the role of special interest money on his voting habits. First, regarding campaign donations and gifts:

"Nobody expects anything in return. It's a chance to talk. That's what we do," he said."Lobbies Treated Va. Lawmakers to $211,000 in Gifts, Food, Trips," Washington Post, B05 (Feb. 4, 2005).

Second, this argument about regulating family businesses being "unamerican." It's an interesting argument style because it's not something that is really capable of being argued on any rational level - practically every american probably has a different version of what is "un-american" and what is not.

So where was that last kind of argument also used in recent history? Hmmmmm...... Well, for starters, there is Joseph McCarthy - the bomb throwing, communist hunting chairman of the House Senate Unamerican Activities Committee who was ultimately censured by the U.S. Senate for using his office to engage in demagogic, reckless, unsubstantiated personal attacks. Then there's these guys:

The Heart of Atlanta motel was a large, 216-room motel in Atlanta, Georgia, which refused to rent rooms to black patrons, in direct violation of the terms of the [Civil Rights Act of 1964]. The owner of the motel filed suit in federal court, arguing that the requirements of the act exceeded the authority granted to Congress over interstate commerce. In addition, the owner argued that the act violated his Fifth Amendment rights to choose customers and operate his business as he wished and resulted in unjust deprivation of his property without due process of law and just compensation. Finally, the owner argued that Congress had placed him in a position of involuntary servitude by forcing him to rent available rooms to blacks, thereby violating his Thirteenth Amendment rights. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States, Wikipedia.

"Un-American" Delegate Albo? Glad to see that you're using the argumentative tactics of Joe McCarthy and segregationists to make your point. You've have reached a new low in you efforts to justify rejecting your constituents views in favor of special interest donors.