State and National Government
From the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University: With just over 6 weeks until Virginia Democrats’ June 8 gubernatorial primary, former governor Terry McAuliffe holds a commanding lead. McAuliffe has the support of 47% of Democratic voters, followed by Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (8%), Richmond Sen. Jennifer McClellan (6%), former Prince William Del. Jennifer Carrol Foy (5%) and Manassas Del. Lee Carter (1%). More than a quarter of voters remain undecided (27%). WFIR’s Evan Jones has more on this poll:
Del. Sam Rasoul
Almost two out of three Democratic voters (64%) say they are undecided in the crowded contest for the party’s lieutenant governor bid, but Del. Sam Rasoul has emerged as the front runner with 12% support. Del. Elizabeth Guzman led the rest with the support of 4% of Democratic voters, but she withdrew from the race while the survey was in the field. None of the remaining candidates received more than 2% support. WFIR’s Evan Jones reports on this poll:
Seeking his party’s nomination for a third term as attorney general, incumbent Mark Herring (42%) has a solid lead over Norfolk Del. Jerrauld “Jay” Jones (18%), with 34% of Democratic voters undecided.
Governor Northam says Virginia’s new marijuana law will help many residents avoid facing lifetime roadblocks over a marijuana possession conviction. But critics say as written, the measure creates new problems. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
(Associated Press) — The legislation would allow adults 21 and up to legally possess up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of cannabis without the intent to distribute beginning July 1. It also would allow the home cultivation of up to four plants per household beginning July 1. Public use of the drug will be prohibited.
“This is not going to generate some ganjafest at Jiffy Lube pavilion out in the parking lot, because that is smoking in public. Just like you can’t drink in public, you can’t smoke in public under this,” Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell said.
It will be years before legal retail sales follow legalized possession. The bill lays out the complex process of creating a new state agency to oversee the marijuana marketplace, with sales beginning and regulations taking effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Republicans, who overwhelmingly opposed the bill when it initially went through the General Assembly, railed against the latest version, citing several reasons.
GOP Del. Chris Head called the bill “a train wreck.”
“The hard-fought compromise that barely made it out of this chamber and over to the Senate has just been discarded. And why is that? It’s because some activists want marijuana legalized and they want it legalized now, consequences be damned,” he said.
Some Republicans took issue with labor provisions in the new version of the bill, in particular a change that says the government can revoke or suspend licenses issued under the new law in cases where an employer has refused to “remain neutral regarding any union organizing efforts by employees.”
During the legislative session, the Senate sought to legalize simple possession beginning in July, but House Democrats argued that legalization without a legal market for marijuana could promote the growth of the black market. The bill as passed in February would not have legalized simple possession until 2024.
Herring said Wednesday that home cultivation would give Virginians a way to legally acquire cannabis while the retail market is being put in place.
Many marijuana users call April 20th — or 4/20 — as “Weed Day”, and this year, it comes as Virginia prepares to legalize possession of small amounts. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the new law’s potential impact on highway safety should not be overlooked. Spokesperson Martha Mead says numbers from other states that previously passed similar laws send a cautionary message here, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:
Possession of up to an ounce of marijuana becomes legal in Virginia July 1st.
There are already second-generation troops serving in Afghanistan – and some soldiers who weren’t even born yet when September 11 happened on American soil. Now the President says its time to come home. Virginia’s junior U.S. Senator weighed in yesterday, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Rep. Morgan Griffith
Congressman Morgan Griffith says President Biden’s proposal of a new federal rule against “ghost guns” is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. Ghost guns are basically kits to assemble a firearm that does not have a serial number, and Biden proposed the rule to outlaw them Thursday. Griffith’s response Friday morning:
Griffith joined the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News for a live conversation Friday, a discussion that covered a wide range of issues now before Congress. Here is the full conversation:
Amid a reported increase of Anti-Asian hate and violence, Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General is putting more resources towards addressing this problem. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has this In-Depth Report.
The General Assembly has approved $250,000 to fund an investigation connected to the Virginia Parole Board, but the two parties sharply differ on its scope and intent. The budget amendment authorizes elected Democratic party leaders to choose a law firm to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the parole board that were not included in a state watchdog report last year. Republicans say what it does not do is look into many other allegations of wrongdoing at the parole board itself; Democrats say Republicans are playing politics. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
A bill signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam increases eligibility for state child-care subsidies to help with COVID recovery. WFIR’s Ian Price reports that now, a family of two making less than $60,000 a year can qualify for assistance.
People can apply online at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call 1-866-KIDS-TLC.
Rep. Ben Cline. Ian Price photo
Congress is back in session next week. Meanwhile this morning live in-studio on WFIR 6th District Republican representative says President Biden’s American Jobs Plan infrastructure bill they will start debating soon will NOT get his vote in its current form. Cline said he could vote for a “skinny” plan that focuses solely on more traditional infrastructure. Hear this morning’s complete conversation below; watch it on Facebook.