All articles tagged with #governor glenn youngkin
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that Virginia will exit California's electric vehicle mandate at the end of 2024, following an official opinion that the state is not required to comply with California's new emissions regulations set to take effect in 2025. This decision allows Virginians to follow federal emissions standards and choose their own vehicles without facing penalties.
Virginia House leaders dispute Governor Glenn Youngkin's claim that an independent consultant they hired gave a clean bill of health to his proposal to lure two Washington sports teams to Alexandria, stating that his remarks were inaccurate and overstated. The proposal, aimed at landing the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards, envisions a $2 billion mixed-use development featuring a new arena. The back-and-forth over the outside review comes amid ongoing budget talks, with Youngkin demanding changes and hoping to reach compromise revisions when the Legislature reconvenes in April. The deal has faced pushback from various parties, and the governor's public campaign has been criticized as divisive.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin condemned the pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked a segment of an interstate, calling their actions "unacceptable" and thanking the Virginia State Police for their response. Nine protesters were arrested after blocking Interstate 95 with ladders, a large metal chain, and "sleeping dragon" devices. The protesters were charged with multiple offenses, and no injuries were reported. The protest was in response to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mostly Palestinian civilians.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill protecting same-sex marriage while taking a tougher stance on gun control, reproductive rights, and marijuana legislation. He vetoed bills related to gun safety, reproductive rights, and marijuana, and recommended changes to a bill requiring parental notification about gun risks. Youngkin also proposed a religious exemption to a bill mandating health insurers to cover contraception and vetoed a bill repealing a prohibition on for-profit surrogacy brokers. Additionally, he vetoed a bill meant to reenter a voter roll maintenance program and vetoed a minor bill clarifying that marijuana use and possession isn't necessarily evidence of child abuse or neglect.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 64 bills into law and vetoed 8 others, including a bill adding more restrictions on firearm transfers. Most of the bills had bipartisan support, with one enshrining the legality of same-sex marriage in Virginia and another prohibiting preferential treatment in university admissions. Youngkin also vetoed a bill clarifying parental notification of sexually explicit materials in schools and legislation to rejoin a data-sharing interstate compact aimed at fighting voter fraud. He sent 12 bills back to the General Assembly with amendments, including one requiring annual notification to parents about safely storing firearms in their homes.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 64 bills into law and vetoed 8 others, including legislation on firearm transfers. Most bills had bipartisan support, with one enshrining same-sex marriage legality and another prohibiting preferential treatment in university admissions. Youngkin vetoed a bill clarifying parental notification of explicit materials in schools and legislation to rejoin a data-sharing compact aimed at fighting voter fraud. He also sent 12 bills back to the General Assembly with amendments, including one requiring parental notification on firearm storage and safety.
Legislation to end tax benefits for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a group that helped erect Confederate monuments, is headed to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. The bills, which have mostly party-line support, aim to eliminate property tax exemptions for the group and related Confederate organizations. Supporters argue the tax benefits subsidize Confederate monuments, while opponents call the legislation discriminatory. The group, which denounces white supremacy, believes Confederate monuments are part of American history and should remain in place. If signed, the legislation would result in the group's headquarters being taxed at the city's regular property tax rate, amounting to an annual tax bill of over $50,000.
The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have passed bills to ban the sale of assault weapons, which would also prohibit their purchase, possession, transfer, and sale. The House bill additionally proposes making possession of assault weapons a Class 1 misdemeanor. Advocates and opponents of the ban have differing views on its effectiveness in curbing gun violence, with the likelihood of a veto by Governor Glenn Youngkin being high.
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) has announced the closure of Augusta Correctional Center, Sussex II State Prison, Haynesville Correctional Unit #17, and Stafford Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP) by July 1, 2024. The decision was made to enhance employee, inmate, and probationer safety, address staffing challenges, and reduce maintenance costs. VADOC is working to find job placements for affected employees and will transfer inmates to other VADOC facilities based on security level and classification. The VADOC will also assume control of Lawrenceville Correctional Center, the only privately operated prison in Virginia, at the end of the current contract term. Governor Glenn Youngkin plans to introduce a budget to provide additional funding for the VADOC to safely assume control of the facility.
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has issued an executive directive to combat antisemitism and anti-religious bigotry in the state, following increased reports of such incidents. The directive includes measures to coordinate with educational institutions and law enforcement to combat threats of violence against Jewish people and other religious communities, as well as expanding methods to combat hate groups. It instructs law enforcement to increase information exchange and resource coordination, empowers the Virginia Fusion Center to quickly identify threats against houses of worship, and asks colleges and universities to submit updated safety plans. The directive aims to promote awareness and ensure the safety of all students, including Jewish and Muslim students, during this time of unrest globally.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of a recent terror attack in Israel. The order will be in effect from October 8th to October 14th.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a State of Emergency in Virginia ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, which is expected to impact the state from September 22 to September 24, 2023. The storm's forecast has been challenging, and pre-positioning of response assets and supplies will be necessary. Virginians are advised to stay informed, make a plan, and prepare an emergency kit. The Virginia Emergency Support Team is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with local, state, and federal officials.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a State of Emergency in Virginia ahead of potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, which is expected to impact the state from September 22 to September 24, 2023. The storm's path has been difficult to forecast accurately, and the governor is urging residents to stay informed, make a plan, and have emergency kits ready. The Virginia Emergency Support Team is activating and coordinating resources, while the Virginia Emergency Operations Center will oversee preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Residents should be prepared for severe rainfall, flooding, wind damage, tornadoes, and other storm-related impacts.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has pardoned Scott Smith, the father of a student who was sexually assaulted in a high school bathroom, after Smith's arrest at a school board meeting became a rallying point for conservatives advocating for increased parental involvement in public education. Smith's disorderly conduct conviction, stemming from the incident in June 2021, has been pardoned by Youngkin, who made support for the "parents' rights" movement a key part of his campaign. Smith had protested the handling of his daughter's assault and threatened deputies at the meeting. The governor's decision has drawn criticism from the county's Commonwealth's Attorney, who accused Youngkin of interfering for political gain. Smith plans to pursue legal action against the school district and continue advocating for parents and their children.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has pardoned Scott Thomas Smith, a Loudoun County father whose daughter was sexually assaulted at school. Smith had been convicted of obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct after being forcibly removed from a school board meeting. The governor's pardon affirms Smith's "factual innocence" for disorderly conduct. The case drew national attention and became entangled in debates over transgender issues. The commonwealth's attorney criticized Youngkin's action as a political stunt, while Smith thanked the governor and vowed to continue fighting for parents and children affected by school policies. A state grand jury report found that the school system mishandled the sexual assault cases, leading to the transfer of the perpetrator to another school where he assaulted another girl.