Virginia Could See Big Changes for the Better as Democrats Take Full Control of State Government
January 8th 2020
Eileen Filler-Corn (Lee District Democratic Committee)
By Laura Clawson
As Democrats take full control of Virginia’s government for the first time in a quarter-century, the state could see major changes for the common good. On issues like voting rights, abortion, guns, and LGBTQ rights, Democrats could repeal some of the damage done by Republicans and even move forward.
Virginia currently has a law requiring women to undergo a medically unnecessary ultrasound before abortion and a law requiring abortion clinics to meet hospital-style building codes. Both of those could go.
There is likely a bipartisan majority against anti-LGBTQ discrimination in housing and government employment and for expanding the state’s hate-crimes law to cover LGBTQ people.
Gov. Ralph Northam is pushing for stronger gun laws, including universal background checks; a red flag law; a one-handgun-purchase-per-month cap; and bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, bump stocks, and silencers.
Voting access could be expanded with no-excuses early voting and making Election Day a state holiday (as a bonus, that holiday would replace one honoring Confederate generals).
Northam’s proposed budget includes funding to combat maternal mortality among people of color, give teachers a raise, make community college free for some students, and expand early childhood education.
Northam is pushing to decriminalize marijuana possession, among other policies to combat mass incarceration.
Democrats could raise the state minimum wage from the federal level of $7.25 an hour.
In addition to all of these possible legislative advances, Democrats have chosen women as speaker-designee and House majority leader—both firsts. Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, the speaker-designee, will also be the first Jewish person in that role, and Del. Charniele Herring, the majority leader, will be the first African American person in that role.
Posted with permission