The Virginia State ConstitutionThe Virginia State Constitution examines constitutional amendments, court decisions, attorney general opinions, and legislative deliberations bearing on the development and interpretation of the Virginia Constitution. The book contains a detailed history of the Virginia Constitution, with particular attention to key moments in the state's constitutional development, from the 1776 Constitution through the current 1971 Constitution. The book also includes a provision-by-provision commentary on the evolution and meaning of each section of the Virginia Constitution. The second edition brings this material up to date through mid-2013 and analyzes a number of constitutional developments with important implications for governance. Among the recent amendments covered in this volume is an amendment barring recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions, and an amendment that undertook a major revision of the provision limiting the eminent domain power. The book examines several recent state court decisions of note, including the state supreme court's first interpretation of the provision guaranteeing "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" and various court decisions limiting the power to levy taxes. The book also analyzes recent attorney general opinions with significant implications for legislative appropriations to non-profit groups, along with various other legislative initiatives.The Oxford Commentaries on the State Constitutions of the United States is an important series that reflects a renewed international interest in constitutional history and provides expert insight into each of the 50 state constitutions. Each volume in this innovative series contains a historical overview of the state's constitutional development, a section-by-section analysis of its current constitution, and a comprehensive guide to further research.Under the expert editorship of Professor G. Alan Tarr, Director of the Center on State Constitutional Studies at Rutgers University, this series provides essential reference tools for understanding state constitutional law. Books in the series can be purchased individually or as part of a complete set, giving readers unmatched access to these important political documents. |
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1971 Constitutional revision adopted amendment annexation appointed apportionment appropriation approved argued Assembly Att’y Gen Attorney authority Bill of Rights bonds challenge changes Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge clause Commonwealth Constitution of Virginia Constitutional Convention Court concluded Court explained Court noted Court of Appeals Court ruled debt decision Dick Howard Education Article enacted executive exempt Fairfax County federal funds governing body grant House of Delegates Ibid impose interpretation issued justices legislative Legislature Article legitimacy Lieutenant Governor limited convention lottery majority members elected ment opinion permitted person political prohibited proposed provision purpose question reapportionment recent redistricting referendum regarding rejected revenues Richmond Law Review Richmond Times-Dispatch school board senate sion statute suffrage taxation term tion town U.S. Constitution U.S. District U.S. Supreme Court University of Richmond University of Virginia veto violated Virginia Constitution Virginia courts Virginia News Letter Virginia Supreme Court vote voters