Virginia governor to decide if national motto should be posted in courts

By The Associated Press

02.24.02

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RICHMOND, Va. — Legislation requiring judges to post "In God We Trust" signs in state courtrooms is on its way to Gov. Mark R. Warner's desk, where its fate is uncertain.

Spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said Warner hasn't taken a position on House Bill 107 and will have his counsel analyze whether it is constitutional.

Even if Warner signs the bill, Virginians are unlikely to see the signs displayed in courtrooms anytime soon. The Senate added an amendment requiring the state to pay for the signs, but there is no money in the proposed state budget for that purpose.

Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, did not object to the Senate amendment when his bill was returned to the House on Feb. 20. Delegates voted 94-5 to accept the amendment and send the bill to Warner's desk.

The House vote came a day after the Senate approved House Bill 108, which requires public schools to post "In God We Trust" signs.

Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, D-Fairfax, wanted to add the courtroom-bill amendment to the school bill. By paying for the signs, she said, the state could ensure that they are all alike.

Sen. Leslie Byrne, D-Fairfax, agreed.

"Without this, we're setting up differences between rich and poor districts," she said. "If this is worth doing, it's worth doing by the government of Virginia."

However, Republican Sen. William T. Bolling of Hanover County said the amendment to the courtroom bill was intended to avoid possible conflicts of interests that would arise if judges had to solicit private contributions to pay for the signs. There was no such rationale for adding the funding requirement to the school bill, he said.

"The practical effect of the amendment would be to delay implementation of the bill," said Bolling, noting that there is no money in the state budget to pay the unknown cost of the signs.

Sen. Nick Rerras, R-Norfolk, said the signs won't be a financial burden on schools.

"They can be printed on a laser printer and put in a 50-cent frame," he said.

The Senate voted 25-15 to reject Puller's amendment and approved the bill by a 28-11 vote. The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of a Senate amendment to make the entire message read, "In God We Trust, the National Motto enacted by Congress in 1956."

Qualls said Warner will have his counsel analyze the school bill in addition to the courtroom bill.

Previous

Virginia Senate OKs posting national motto in courts
But amendment requiring state to pay for 'In God We Trust' displays could keep bill from taking effect.  02.19.02

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