Winsome Earle-Sears on Crime

	Winsome Earle-Sears on Crime

Don't make release of hunting dogs on highway a misdemeanor

SB712: Creates a Class 3 misdemeanor for the intentional release of hunting dogs on a Department of Transportation right-of-way or on a highway owned or maintained by the VA DOT to hunt deer without the consent of the Department.

Analysis by "News on the Neck", Feb 21, 2024: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' first tie-breaking vote this session was on SB 712, in opposition to the bill, which had 20 votes on going each way. Hound hunting has become a contentious issue in Virginia. Year after year bills are presented that hound hunters believe are steps toward trying to completely rid them of hunting with dogs. Some opponents are pushing for such a ban. Opponents commonly argue that hunting dogs trample their personal property rights because Virginia now allows hunters to go onto another person's property without permission to retrieve a dog.

Legislative Outcome: Failed Senate 20-20-0 on Feb/12/24, with Lt. Gov. voting NO on a tie breaking vote.

Source: News on the Neck on Virginia voting records SB712 , Feb 21, 2024

Don't reduce failure to appear in court to civil violation

SB643: Provides that any person (i) charged with a felony offense or misdemeanor offense or (ii) convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor offense & execution of sentence is suspended who willfully fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required may be punished for contempt.

Analysis by "News on the Neck", Feb 21, 2024: Senators were equally divided on SB 643, a bill the eliminated the failure to appear as a criminal offense for felonies and misdemeanors and made it a civil violation. Its sponsor, Sen. Lashrecse Aird, explained it creates a definition of non-appearance where an individual is detained in other state or federal jurisdictions. And when a person didn’t appear, the bill would require a show cause hearing to determine if the absence was willful or not, before a person could be deemed in violation of failure to appear.

Legislative Outcome: Failed Senate 20-20-0 on Feb/13/24, with a tie-breaking NO vote by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Source: News on the Neck on Virginia voting records SB643 , Feb 13, 2024

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*Other governors on Crime:*			*Winsome Earle-Sears on other issues:*
*VA Gubernatorial:* Jennifer Carroll Foy Jennifer McClellan Justin Fairfax Kirk Cox Lee Carter Mark Herring Pete Snyder Ralph Northam Terry McAuliffe *VA Senatorial:* Amanda Chase Daniel Gade Hung Cao Mark Warner Nick Freitas Scott Parkinson Scott Taylor Tim Kaine	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019) Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021) Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025 Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025 Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]