State and National Government
March is “National Problem Gambling Awareness Month” and the Virginia Lottery is once again – as it does every year – urging people to “Play Responsibly.” More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
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A UVA Political analyst believes former President Trump would have an up hill battle if he runs in 2024.
Gov. Ralph Northam
Governor Northam has endorsed Delegate Jay Jones over incumbent Mark Herring for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Northam said today he is “proud to stand” with the Norfolk delegate in his bid to become Virginia’s next attorney general and the first African American to hold the office.
Current Attorney General Mark Herring is seeking a third term against Jones, his opponent in a June Democratic primary. “It is time for a new generation of leaders to take the reins,” Northam said in statement. “He has been my partner as we have worked to change our Commonwealth. He also understands the deep scars of racism and will represent the diversity of our Commonwealth.”
On his Facebook page Jay Jones said today he is “grateful for Ralph Northam’s support as we enter this new decade standing shoulder to shoulder to create the Virginia that we can all be proud of.”
A new study finds that as of March first, Virginia had the greatest total number of COVID-related restrictions of any state in the country – behind even states like California and Vermont. The personal finance site Wallet Hub looked at metrics like face mask mandates and restrictions on restaurants, businesses and large gatherings. Its latest findings: of 50 states and Washington, D.C., Virginia had the most total restrictions. Governor Northam’s office would not speak to whether this survey’s ranking is accurate, but Spokesperson Alena Yarmosky says Virginia has a lower unemployment rate, COVID case rate and COVID-death rate than most states. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
Click here for the Wallet Hub report.
Click here for CDC state-by-state data on COVID-19 case and death rates.
Photo: Official Facebook page
New River Valley Republican delegate Nick Rush says he will not run for a 6th term this fall after representing the 7th House District for 10 years. Rush – who was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors at age 23 – also touted on Facebook his work as a Delegate to support education in the region.
(from Facebook post) It is with great appreciation to the voters of the Seventh House District that I formally announce my decision to not seek re-election this November for the Virginia House of Delegates. It has been a true honor and incredible privilege to have served in the General Assembly for the past 10 years and I will forever be humbled by the trust placed in me to carry out the people’s work.
The General Assembly has completed this year’s regular business, save for dealing with any vetoes or amendments that will be forthcoming from Governor Northam. But lawmakers may return to Richmond for another special session before the year is over. This comes after last year’s lengthy special session – almost two months — but Virginia Tech Professor and WFIR Political Analyst Bob Denton says there are two reasons we might see another this year. One is dealing with the billions of dollars in federal COVID relief funding expected to come to the state, and there is also the matter of judges. The General Assembly authorized creation of six new Virginia Court of Appeals judgeships this year – they must be filled, and there would be a domino effect created when lower court judges are elevated to the appeal court. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to a bill that will legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, but not until 2024, when retail sales of the drug would also begin.
With a compromise bill clearing the House and Senate, Virginia becomes the first Southern state to vote to legalize marijuana, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia. The legislation now goes to Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, who supports legalization.
The bill was a top priority for Democrats, who framed legalization as a necessary step to end the disparate treatment of people of color under current marijuana laws. But talks between Democrats in the House and Senate grew tense in recent days, and a compromise version of the massive bill did not emerge publicly until late Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a lot of work to get here, but I would say that we’re on the path to an equitable law allowing responsible adults to use cannabis,” said Sen. Adam Ebbin, the chief sponsor of the Senate bill.
Several Democrats said they hoped Northam would send the legislation back to them with amendments, including speeding up the date for legalization.
“If we have already made the decision that simple possession should be repealed, we could have done that today and ended the disproportionate fines on communities of color,” said Sen. Jennifer McClellan.
“Let’s be absolutely clear — this bill is not legalization, and there are a lot of steps between here and legalization,” she said.
Northam’s spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said the governor “looks forward to continuing to improve this legislation.”
“There’s still a lot of work ahead, but this bill will help to reinvest in our communities and reduce inequities in our criminal justice system,” she said.
Under the legislation, possession of up to an ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana will become legal beginning Jan. 1, 2024, at the same time sales will begin and regulations will go into effect to control the marijuana marketplace in Virginia.
Under a provision Senate Democrats insisted on, the legislation will include a reenactment clause that will require a second vote from the General Assembly next year, but only on the regulatory framework and criminal penalties for several offenses, including underage use and public consumption of marijuana. A second vote will not be required on legalization.
The Senate had sought to legalize simple possession this year to immediately end punishments for people with small amounts of marijuana, but House Democrats argued that legalization without a legal market for marijuana could promote the growth of the black market.
Lawmakers last year decriminalized marijuana, making simple possession a civil penalty that can be punished by a fine of no more than $25.
House Majority Leader Charniele Herring said that while the legislation isn’t perfect, it was a “justice bill.”
“This moves us in a … direction to strike down and to address those institutional barriers, and over-policing, over-arrests, over-convictions of African Americans who do not use marijuana at a higher rate than our white counterparts, but we seem to get the brunt of criminal convictions,” Herring said.
A recent study by the legislature’s research and watchdog agency found that from 2010-2019, the average arrest rate of Black individuals for marijuana possession was 3.5 times higher than the arrest rate for white individuals. The study also found that Black people were convicted at a rate 3.9 times higher than white people.
The bill calls for dedicating 30% of marijuana tax revenue — after program costs — to a Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund. The money would be used to help communities that have been historically over-policed for marijuana crimes, with funds going toward scholarships, workforce development and job placement services, and low- or no-interest loans for qualified cannabis businesses.
Virginians who have a marijuana-related conviction, have family members with a conviction, or live in an area that is economically distressed could qualify as social equity applicants who would get preference for licenses to get into the marijuana marketplace as cultivators, wholesalers, processors and retailers.
The largest portion of the tax revenue from marijuana sales would go toward funding pre-K for at-risk kids.
The bill drew sharp criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and and other racial justice advocacy groups.
“Today, the Virginia General Assembly failed to legalize marijuana for racial justice. Lawmakers paid lip service to the communities that have suffered decades of harm caused by the racist War on Drugs with legislation that falls short of equitable reform and delays justice,” the ACLU said in a tweet.
Groups that opposed legalization entirely have said they are concerned that it could result in an increase in drug-impaired driving crashes and the use of marijuana among youth.
Republican lawmakers spoke against the measure Saturday night, saying such a critical issue deserved a less rushed approach.
“I would say there are not more than two or three members of this body that have a clue about the comprehensiveness of what this bill does,” said Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats are ready to shove a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package through the House on Friday. That win is expected despite a setback on Thursday that means a minimum wage boost is unlikely to be in the final version that reaches President Joe Biden. A near party-line vote seemed certain on the relief measure in the House. It represents Biden’s first crack at his initial legislative goal of acting decisively against the pandemic. In the year since the coronavirus has taken hold, it has stalled much of the economy, killed half a million Americans, and reshaped the daily lives of virtually everyone.
Virginia is one step closer to setting percentage goals when awarding government contracts and subcontracts to small businesses and those owned by women and minorities. A measure to put that into law has already passed the House and is now before the Senate. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
A recent poll shows none of the candidates for Lt. Governor are in the lead – but a survey organizer says that likely means Roanoke Democratic Delegate Sam Rasoul is in the lead. WFIR’s Ian Price has more: