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.
Rep. Bobby Scott and other Democratic leaders highlighted President Biden’s health care achievements during a recent press call.
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.
If Gov. Youngkin signs the bill, sale of the drug would begin on May 1, 2025, and the products would be taxed at a rate of up to 11.6%—with 8% going to the state, 2.5% going to a local option tax, and 1.1% to K-12 education.
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.
Companion bills SB 101 and HB 174 were introduced in the event that the US Supreme Court reverses its landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, something that’s been theorized could happen following the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, another landmark case.
Democrats passed bills to protect patients and abortion providers against legal action and to expand access to contraception. They rejected a near-total abortion ban and another proposal to prohibit state funding from going to any hospital or facility where abortion care is provided.
“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.
Democrats defeated a near-total abortion ban introduced by Republicans and passed a bill to improve access to contraception by eliminating certain copays, cost-sharing requirements, reimbursement requirements, and coverage delays.
