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DC VOTING RIGHTS BILL TO BE REVIVED
Congressional leaders plan on bringing a revived D.C. voting rights bill to the House floor next Thursday.
Last year, the Senate passed a voting rights bill but it stalled in the House because pro-gun amendments were added that would weaken the District gun laws. (WTOP)
BAY CRABS: THE COMEBACK CRUSTACEAN
The Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population has bounced back from dangerously low levels, Maryland officials announced Wednesday, reporting that a newly completed survey of the crustaceans counted more than have been seen in more than a decade.
A jubilant Gov. Martin O'Malley heralded the news from the waterfront deck of a seafood restaurant here, saying the winter crab survey justified the steps he and his counterpart in Virginia took two years ago to clamp down on the commercial catch. Both states shortened the season, slashing watermen's income, and Virginia banned its traditional practice of dredging slumbering female crabs from the bottom during winter. (Baltimore Sun)
DC BARS MAY STAY OPEN AN HOUR LATER THURSDAY
As ABRA tweeted earlier today, a law that went into effect last year allows D.C. bars and restaurants to, if they so choose, stay open for an additional hour of alcoholic beverage service the night before any D.C. or federal holiday. And since Friday is Emancipation Day, and D.C. government and schools will be closed, that means Thursday night could see a number of bars taking advantage and staying open until 3 a.m., as if it were a regular weekend night. (DCist)
MCDONNELL INKS 'CHOICE' PLATES BILL
Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) accepted a bill to create a "Trust Women/Respect Choice" license plate, even though he is a Catholic who personally opposes abortion.
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But McDonnell did propose amending the bill slightly to include language to ensure any money generated from the new plate is not used to "provide abortion services."
"The Governor did not veto the specialty license plate bill requested by Planned Parenthood,'' McDonnell spokeswoman Taylor Thornley said. "His amendment to the legislation simply codifies Planned Parenthood's often-stated position that license plate proceeds will not be used for abortion services." (Washington Post)
