RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — At the halfway point of the 2024 General Assembly Session in Virginia, Republicans and Democrats have very different views on the session so far.
On Wednesday, House Democrats celebrated the passage of key legislation, calling the first half of the session a success.
“Here we are today with meaningful impactful legislation that will save people’s lives,” House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) told reporters.
Republicans have a different view.
“That’s been an unfortunate aspect of this first half of the session, sort of the focus on things that aren’t really integral to making sure Virginia is the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Republican Senator Glen Sturtevant (R-Colonial Heights) told 8News.
At their press conference, Democrats highlighted the passage of several bills.
“The House passed a minimum wage increase, we passed an assault weapons ban, we are expanding access to affordable healthcare, and we are protecting abortion rights for women across the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Scott said.
However, Sturtevant disagreed with Scott, saying Democrats are focused on the wrong things, pointing to bills to create a retail market for recreational marijuana, legalize popular skill games, and bills that attack “law-abiding gun owners.”
“There’s been an enormous amount of time spent on the commonwealth’s behalf, the people of the Commonwealth, figuring out ways making it easier for people to get high and for people to gamble,” said Sturtevant.
Sturtevant says that while they’re have been some bipartisan wins so far this session, Governor Glenn Youngkin is likely to veto certain priorities passed by Democrats.
“He’s gonna have to veto a lot,” said Sturtevant. “There’s a lot of these brochure bills that get put in knowing that they will get vetoed.”
Democratic House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) said her message to Governor Youngkjin was simple.
“Definitely consider both sides of the issue and ultimately a leader is a leader and part of leadership is compromise,” said Herring.
Once a bill does make it to the governor’s desk, Youngkin will have the following options:
- Sign the bill into law
- Veto the bill
- Allow it to become law without his signature
- Propose amendments for the General Assembly to consider
