Minutes 12/08/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 8, 2015 WHEREAS, this limitation is inextricably linked to post-Reconstruction discrimination, including through the Virginia Constitution of 1902, which expanded restrictions on voting by those with criminal convictions for the express purpose of disenfranchising African Americans; and WHEREAS, the limitation continues to have a substantial discriminatory impact today, as evidenced by a study conducted by The Sentencing Project which found that as of December 2010 twenty percent of all adult African Americans in Virginia did not have the right to vote; and WHEREAS, voting is a fundamental civic right and responsibility, and the disenfranchisement of felons is contrary to the goal of re-integrating those who have served their time into society as productive citizens; and WHEREAS, Virginia’s recent governors, Democrat and Republican alike, have recognized the inherent injustice of the broad limitation in the Constitution and have issued Executive Orders attempting to ease the restrictions on the restoration of rights; and WHEREAS, while the Executive Orders constitute progress, ex-felons convicted of certain categories of crimes remain subject to a multi-year waiting period after release and an arduous application process if they seek to have their rights restored; and WHEREAS, Executive Orders are further revocable by subsequent governors and are insufficient guarantors of the rights they create; and WHEREAS, those who have paid their debt to society by serving their allocated prison time ought, upon release, to have all of the rights of any other citizen; and WHEREAS, it is therefore imperative that Article II, Section 1 of the Virginia Constitution be amended to provide for the automatic restoration of voting rights upon a felon’s release from incarceration, either directly or by permitting subsequent legislative action by the General Assembly. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED bythe Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia that it urges the General Assembly to adopt the necessary Joint Resolutions to initiate the process to amend the Constitution of Virginia and to adopt any such subsequent legislation as may be necessary to provide for the automatic restoration of voting rights upon a felon’s release from incarceration. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to each member of the City’s General Assembly delegation.” Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright Nays: None Mayor Wright spoke in the following events:  - Veterans Thank You dinner hosted by Sandra Elam. - I. C. Norcom Athletic Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Ceremony. Vice Mayor Psimas spoke on the following events:  - Santa Claus at the Portsmouth Cultural Center and at the parking lot of the new Kroger Market Place. - Snow falling in Middle Street at the Children’s Museum every Friday and Saturday in December. - Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival, Saturday, December 12, 2015, noon - 6 p.m. 15 - 438- Report on Pending Items There were no pending items.