A Latino coalition kills VA literacy bill for new drivers

After critics raised legal questions, the House Courts of Justice Committee said, "Vaya con Dios" - "Go with God" - to legislation Friday that would have required new drivers to know English. The bill demanded that applicants for new driver's licenses either read and write English or speak and understand it. The either/or provision effectively allowed illiterates to get a license because they could speak the language. It passed the Transportation Committee on Thursday but ran into trouble Friday, when attorneys and other legislators noticed it on the House of Delegates' calendar. After being peppered with concerns, Del. Robert F. McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach, yanked the bill off the floor and sent it to the courts committe that he heads. As representatives from the Attorney General's Office hurriedly researched the issue, the committee heard from the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations. Lobbyist Claire Guthrie Gastanaga said a federal civil rights law required the government provide access to programs to people with a limited knowledge of English. Putting Virginia and the federal government at odds could have financial consequences beyond a court challenge. "You jeopardize your federal highway dollars if you pass this bill," she said. Del. Daniel W. Marshall III, R-Danville, characterized his legislation as a public safety measure. Police officers have complained about the potential danger of not being able to communicate with non-English-speaking drivers. The other problem, he said, was that motorists should be able to read all street signs and that some signs don't contain international symbols. [more]