Last week, Governor Youngkin hit the six-month anniversary of his inauguration, completing 1/8 of his term. But who’s counting? Fortunately, he can’t be re-elected under Virginia’s constitution.
Author: Marcus Simon
Del. Simon Presents New Virginia Laws as of July 1
On July 1 each year most of the bills passed by the General Assembly during their winter legislative session become law. With the levers of power in Virginia divided between Democrats and Republicans in 2022, citizens won’t see many of the sweeping progressive changes like those we’ve experienced the last two years (things like elimination of the death penalty, local control over firearms restrictions and legalization of marijuana) nor will they see major backsliding on that progress. That said, there are some new laws that went into effect this week that folks may want to take note of.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
I typically focus my June column on the bills that passed during the most recent General Assembly Session, since the laws we pass during our regular session are effective on July 1st and July 1st is the first day of the fiscal year, the date on which the new budget becomes effective. This year we are running a little bit behind. We finished the regular session in March without a budget, forcing the new Governor to call us back for a Special Session on April 4th.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
Protecting rights to abortion care is the reason I am in the General Assembly today.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed 26 popular bi-partisan bills that passed with the support of the conservative Republican led House of Delegates and the Democratic-controlled State Senate. He also amended 114 more bills, some in ways that suggest he’ll eventually veto them as well.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
The General Assembly adjourned last week having failed to accomplish the most important task of our 60-day legislative session. We left Richmond without passing a biennial budget.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
The 2022 General Assembly session reached the halfway point known as crossover earlier this week. While many of you were celebrating Valentine’s Day on Monday, the Virginia House of Delegates spent nearly 12 hours on the floor, reviewing over 300 bills and resolutions. Tuesday was the deadline for the House to finish its review of all the House bills and the Senate to finish theirs.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
Last week I had the distinct honor of being sworn in for my 5th term representing greater Falls Church in the Virginia House of Delegates. The 60-day “long” session that has just begun will be my 9th session as a Delegate.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
One of the quirky things about Virginia is that we don’t allow our Governor to run for re-election.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
When I was first elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 2013, I was one of 32 Democrats serving with 68 Republicans. Our small caucus was loud and scrappy, but hardly mighty. We couldn’t even muster the votes to sustain a Governor’s veto.
