Agenda unveiled
Gov. Ralph Northam called Wednesday for ambitious policy changes. In his annual State of the Commonwealth address at the start of this year’s regular legislative session, Northam urged lawmakers to end the death penalty, legalize marijuana, give teachers raises and automatically restore civil rights for ex-felons.
RICHMOND — With Democrats in control of Virginia’s General Assembly for a second year, Gov. Ralph Northam called Wednesday for ambitious policy changes that would continue to steer this historically conservative state in a liberal direction.
In his annual State of the Commonwealth address at the start of this year’s regular legislative session, Northam urged lawmakers to end the death penalty, legalize marijuana, give teachers raises and automatically restore civil rights for ex-felons.
“We’re taking these actions because we value people,” Northam said in a prepared copy of his speech. “We believe in treating people equitably.”
Northam’s speech came hours after the General Assembly kicked off a session unlike any in modern history, with House members meeting remotely and senators donning masks inside a sparsely filled conference room at Richmond’s Science Museum of Virginia.
It was the first regular legislative session launched in the time of the coronavirus pandemic, during which health experts have urged people to socially distance and wear masks in public. Virginia has 40 senators and 100 delegates, making it easier for the Senate to meet in person.
The Senate started with a moment of silence for Sen. Ben Chafin, a southwest Virginia GOP lawmaker who died Jan. 1 due to virus complications.
In a response released ahead of the governor’s speech, Republican lawmakers criticized Northam’s handling of the virus vaccine rollout, saying Virginia’s has been among the nation’s slowest.
Del. Kirk Cox, who is running for governor, called for public schools to reopen. He also criticized Democratic legislation that he said has led to “onerous” regulations on businesses and increased taxes.
Sen. John Cosgrove of Chesapeake said Northam’s administration has concealed reports about misconduct at the state Parole Board, including the release of murderers without notifying victims’ families. Cosgrove also said proposals that Democrats call criminal justice reform would make the state less safe.
This is the second year in which Democrats are in full control of the legislature since flipping the chamber in the 2019 elections. They have faced continued calls from civil rights activists to consider legislation aimed at making government better serve marginalized communities, including people of color, immigrants and women.
And they’re being urged to find more ways to grapple with a pandemic that has devastated the economy, sent unemployment rates soaring and upended the lives of many Virginians.
Inside the science museum, senators were distanced at individual tables, and two had plexiglass dividers around their desks. The chamber approved a motion to let members participate remotely.
Outside the front steps of the museum, a group of demonstrators held picket signs calling for rent relief through the pandemic and more access to the ballot box for immigrants.
“We’re here to make the Latino community and the immigrant community present before legislators as they gather inside,” protestor Elena Camacho said in Spanish. Camacho, who lives in Richmond, also advocated for financial relief from coronavirus health costs for low-wage workers.
“We’re organizing every day so people can be empowered and fight for what they need.”