In 2004, Delegate Miller was first elected to the 87th House district, a Norfolk based seat held for many years by Thelma Drake. While Norfolk is a Democratic city, this district should still be considered a 50-50 mix of both blue and red. Paula first took the 87th in a special election where she defeated GOPper Michael Ball by less than 100 votes. She defeated him again in 2005, this time by a much healthier margin - 6,312 (50.27%) to 4,716 (37.56%). This November, she faces a different Republican opponent.
Three interesting things to note about the 87th: 1) Thelma Drake lost this, her home district, to Phil Kellam in 2006, 52% to 47.5%, 2) the 87th House district is 100% in the 6th Senate district where our outstanding Democratic candidate, Dr. Ralph Northam faces Sen. Nick "FemiNazi" Rerras, and 3) Republicans want this seat so badly that they are already trying pathetically to disparage and belittle her and the great work she has done in just 3 short years. That's why it's really important to support Paula early and often, and help her put this nonsense to bed.
Delegate Miller was involved in one of two instances that I know of during the 2007 General Assembly session where 2 female Democratic legislators had their bills gobbled up by 2 male Republican legislators.
The first one I reported on here in "Rerras Hijacks Bill". I outlined how over the course of 3 legislative sessions, Senator Mary Margaret Whipple had introduced legislation establishing a Homestead Exemption to exempt certain homeowners from taxation. "In 2007, she [again] introduced it as SJ398, where it was rolled into Sen. Nick Rerras' SB354. And, poof like magic, in the course of just 30 days, this Homestead Exemption bill clears Privileges and Elections, clears Senate Finance, and sails through on a 38-1 vote."
Bearing Drift captured Sen. Rerras' explanation for this hijacking. Rerras explained that the Senate "tends to combine similar bills, and the lowest number bill generally becomes the chief patron. My SJR 354 was the lowest number since I filed my bill first." He also admitted that "the House killed similar bills carried by House Democrats, it was far better for a Republican Senator to carry the bill to passage."
The other "hijacking" occurred with Delegate Paula Miller's HB2185, Sex Offenses and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act; registrants to submit email address. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds just like that legislation AG Bob is touting in his pre-2009 statewide roadshow. Delegate Miller's HB2185 got rolled into HB2749, Sex offender registration; offender to include any electronic mail address, etc. that he will use. Take a wild guess as to the gender and party affiliation of this successful bill's patron.
Well, we need to put an end to this nonsense this November.
Now, back on our home page, look to the left. Notice the ActBlue button with Ralph Northam and Paula Miller listed. Type into their boxes any dollar amount, even if it's just $10, and then click the Donate button. That's one easy way you can help right this very instant to turn the tides in Richmond.