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by Jeremy Hopkins
Special to VNS
It is not uncommon for politicians to tell voters what they want to hear before an election only to later do the opposite once they are elected.
Virginians face a similar threat this year as the General Assembly will vote a second time on the constitutional amendment regarding eminent domain.
Williamsburg and Peninsula residents will be watching Sen. Tommy Norment, who voted in favor of the amendment last year, to see if he shows true support for the amendment as Senate Majority Leader. His actions are important because some representatives, now that they are reelected, are showing signs they will renege on last year's vote.
The language of the amendment is identical. The only difference is the election is over. If the amendment was deserving of passage last year, it should be so again this year.
Only two plausible excuses exist for any representatives switching their vote: either they cast an uninformed vote last year (on an issue that affects the fundamental rights of Virginians) or they simply cast the vote that gave them the best chance at reelection. Either one is unacceptable.
Virginians should watch their representatives closely and demand that they cast the same vote after the election as they did before.
[Jeremy is a lawyer whose speciality is eminent domain. He is in the Norfolk firm of Waldo & Lyle]
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