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RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s legislative session took center stage on Wednesday as lawmakers confronted numerous vetoes and amendments put forth by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Notably, the General Assembly, controlled by Democrats, rejected the governor’s 205 modifications to the state budget.
This one-day session followed Youngkin’s earlier actions where he vetoed 158 bills and amended nearly 160, thwarting Democratic efforts to revive similar proposals from the previous year. The governor’s amendments to the budget primarily aimed to adjust state spending, with suggestions to add an extra $300 million on top of around $295 million designated for the upcoming biennium.
However, Youngkin’s budget revisions faced significant pushback, as Democrats accepted merely 33 of his proposed changes, dismissing the others. These alterations included not only proposals to scale back expenditures but also plans to bolster funding allocations for public education and other services.
In addition to budget amendments, Youngkin issued eight line-item vetoes; however, six were upheld by the lawmakers. Two of his vetoes were ruled out of order by the Democratic House Speaker, affecting funding for home acquisition and mortgage assistance programs.
Democratic leaders have expressed their intention to maintain their budgeting priorities, which included lifting a spending limit on public school support services and preserving a $15 million amendment for a first-time homebuyer program. Youngkin’s additional proposal for establishing Oak Hill—the historic residence of James Monroe—as a state park was also rejected by the House of Delegates, effectively shelving the idea for this budget cycle.
“We’re not going to allow the governor to basically shift money away from the priorities that Democrats had demonstrated when we passed the budget back in February,” commented Democratic Senator Mamie Locke to reporters after the session concluded, emphasizing the party’s commitment to their budgetary principles.
Senate Democrat Adam Ebbin remarked on Youngkin’s amendments by comparing his approach to that of former President Trump, suggesting that the changes lacked necessity and were fundamentally misaligned with the legislature’s direction.
Despite the failed attempts to overturn Youngkin’s vetoes, lawmakers spent time on other legislative matters, able to act with a simple majority on several issues, while also preparing to send all remaining bills back to the governor for his consideration. Youngkin will have 30 days to review these proposals and make final decisions. “Thank you again to the General Assembly members for their work throughout this legislative session,” Youngkin stated following the discussions.
Lawmakers also dismissed Youngkin’s amendment aimed at increasing oversight of pharmacy benefits managers that regulate prescription drug pricing. Additionally, his proposal to defer consideration for a personal property tax exemption for the United Daughters of the Confederacy was not entertained by the legislature.
Going forward, the governor retains ultimate authority over any legislation that crosses his desk after this session, except if the legislature can approve a bill in its original form with a two-thirds supermajority, which would preempt his authority.
In a unique move, House lawmakers attempted to prevent Youngkin’s input on measures concerning a women’s menstrual health program, support for infertility treatments through health insurance, and achieving equal pay for midwives’ services. Yet, the lack of action from the Senate rendered the House’s efforts ineffective.
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