VA Senator Barbara Favola: “Youngkin’s actions to risk criminalizing healthcare providers and women in Virginia are unconscionable”

Status of my invoices: Governor Youngkin has vetoed three of my bills: 1) my anti-extradition bill described below; 2) a bill to ensure that convicted domestic abusers actually surrender their firearms, as required by law; and 3) a bill to help reform our probation process. But the governor signed 20 of my bills. These new laws will, among other things: improve access to mental health care (SB 87), oversee recovery homes (SB 19), require state psychiatric facilities to develop a plan for appropriate care for people with neurocognitive disorders (SB 176). , reform special education services (SB 220), and help people with disabilities better integrate into our communities (SB 51). You can read about all my signed legislation here.

Reproductive health: Bills on issues such as universal access to contraceptive care without co-pays and the right to sue if such access is denied have been withdrawn by the Governor’s amendments. Although we rejected the amendments, I expect these bills will now be vetoed. Of course, my bill to protect Virginia health care professionals who provide abortion care and their out-of-state patients from extradition was also vetoed. This veto was especially confusing because the governor’s message focused on out-of-state health care providers, but the bill only protected Virginia practitioners who adhered to Virginia law, not out-of-state practitioners.

Governor Youngkin’s actions to put healthcare providers and women in Virginia at risk of criminalization are unconscionable. Help me highlight his extreme views on contraceptive care and abortion. Any donation you can make to help me win this battle would be greatly appreciated.

Gun safetyThe common-sense gun safety bills passed by the Democratic majority were almost all vetoed by Governor Youngkin, even though 80% of Virginians support the restrictions these bills include, such as banning assault weapons and requiring a cooling-off period before someone can purchase a firearm. . The cooling-off period allows time to conduct background checks and is a best practice in preventing firearm suicides.

According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, half of all suicide deaths involve firearms. Suicides account for 3 in 5 firearm deaths, and firearm suicide is almost always fatal: 9 out of 10 suicide attempts with firearms result in death. Every day, 64 Americans die by gun suicide – one every 22 minutes.

Other topics: The governor also vetoed bills passed by the Democratic majority to raise the minimum wage, protect renters’ rights and advance environmental policies. It was clear that Governor Youngkin was working to maintain the status quo. He exercised his veto 153 times and offered 233 budget amendments. He drew a stark contrast between his narrow and ideologically driven policies and the more progressive policies aimed at helping real people that Democrats offered.

Budget changes: The stark contrast was particularly stark in Governor Youngkin’s budget amendments. Two examples best illustrate this point: eliminating additional funding for the K-12 public education budget to be redirected to private laboratory schools, and language to exclude Virginia from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI ) to delete.

RGGI is a cap and trade program designed to limit carbon emissions from the energy sector. The program generates approximately $200 million per year, and these funds are used for flood prevention strategies, among other environmental initiatives. It is important to note that flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Virginia, so it is baffling why the Governor would try to pull Virginia out of a program that is a win-win situation. Virginians get cleaner air and more control over flooding.

Moving forward: I strongly believe that a step forward in tax modernization should be part of the final budget. If some digital downloads are taxed, that money will allow us to more generously fund the public schools, adding dollars to the schools with a high percentage (40% or more) of students receiving free or reduced lunch, Metro completely to fund and increase Medicaid rates. reimbursement to our suppliers, among others.

We closed the special session on a cordial note with the governor. He came to the General Assembly to meet with key lawmakers and made overtures about his willingness to make compromises in a newly drafted budget. I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached and a biennial budget adopted sooner rather than later. The governor has called a special session for May 13 in hopes that the General Assembly will be able to pass a compromise budget. I will keep you informed.