With Democrats set to take full control of Virginia’s House, lawmakers are advancing legislation that would codify the right to contraception statewide.
As a Virginian and a cancer survivor, lowering the cost of prescription drugs is deeply personal to me. While going through treatment, I nearly died without a pricey medication that my insurance wouldn’t cover. I spent a week in the hospital recovering.
At a Monday panel in the Commonwealth, doctors, advocates, and candidates warned that misinformation and new laws could strip away access to birth control for thousands of Virginians.
Virginia’s attorney general’s race this year has Democrat Jay Jones facing off against incumbent Republican Jason Miyares.
Lisa Lee, elementary school counselor at Trantwood Elementary in Virginia Beach, explains how emotional burnout and the state’s teacher shortage are just some of the reasons why she’s joining the increasing number of Virginia educators retiring early.
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.
Bills the governor vetoed include one that would have restricted access to assault weapons, one that would have kept guns out of the hands of violent people, and one that would have prevented gun dealers who sell firearms out of their homes from being located within one and a half miles of elementary and middle schools.
The legislation would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from the current rate of $12 per hour to $13.50 in 2025 and to $15 in 2026. Gov. Youngkin has until April 8 to either sign, veto, or recommend amendments to the legislation before lawmakers reconvene on April 17.
The board would have the power to review drug costs and limit how much state agencies, health plans, and individuals pay for certain prescription medications.
