The Republican governor stood with Democratic leaders in the General Assembly on Wednesday in a bid to ease tensions over their budget debate.
The legislation will codify a recommendation that Virginia revise its laws to ensure Jewish Virginians are protected from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs, and other ethnic groups.
Both of these bills were top priorities of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly this legislative session. Youngkin’s vetoes came just one day after his top priority–a $2 billion development district that would have included a new arena meant to attract the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards to Alexandria–fell through.
The Senate approved a new, two-year state budget on Saturday which includes pay raises for teachers, increased funding for education, and more. Gov. Youngkin, however, says the document needs “a lot of work” before he’s willing to sign it.
Although Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill meant to enshrine the legality of same-sex marriage, he vetoed or recommended major changes to bills surrounding reproductive and voting rights, gun control, book bans, and more.
Del. Michael Feggans feels his first year in the Virginia General Assembly has been a successful one so far, where he passed bills relating to cybersecurity, helping small businesses, and aiding renters.
Both chambers rejected Youngkin’s proposed cut to the income tax rate— which would have benefited the wealthiest Virginians—and his proposed increase to the sales tax rate. Instead, they’re calling for that funding to go towards raising teacher pay.
State Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who introduced SB 1, has warned Youngkin that he’d see a change in the Democrats’ “cooperative tone” if he vetoes the minimum wage bill.
“Crossover Day” in the Virginia General Assembly is the day in the legislative session bills must pass by in their respective chambers in order to be considered in the other chamber. In other words, a bill must pass in the House of Delegates before it can even be considered in the Senate, and vice versa. This year, that day is Feb. 13. If a bill doesn’t pass one chamber by then, it’s done for the year.
One measure would make it illegal to have any hand in the sale, manufacture, transfer, or purchase of assault firearms.
