Democrat assails GOP nominee for suit to block disabilities law
June 29, 2005

WAVY-TV
Associated Press.

RICHMOND, Va. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Kaine today accused Republican rival Jerry Kilgore of undermining the rights of people with disabilities.

Kaine says that when Kilgore was the state's attorney general, he challenged the constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Kaine says Kilgore took a freelance position that was not the position of the state in his 2003 challenge.

Kilgore replied by noting that Kaine served for years on Richmond's City Council and as mayor while dozens of public schools never met A-D-A requirements by providing such items as ramps, handicapped-accessible elevators, toilets and parking.

Kilgore also said his involvement in the A-D-A court challenge was a necessity to protect the state's sovereign immunity and avoid thousands of possible lawsuits.

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