Governor Glenn Youngkin on Monday night finished acting on the more than 1,000 bills passed by Virginia lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session, signing nearly 800 bills into law.
In total, Youngkin signed 777 bills into law. The governor made amendments to an additional 116 bills, sending them back to lawmakers for further review, and vetoed 153.
“I have completed my actions on the 1,046 bills sent to me by the General Assembly, signing 777 into law. As I said on the first day of this year’s legislative session, in the State of the Commonwealth address, every piece of legislation I have had the honor to sign into law as Governor has necessarily been bipartisan,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin in a statement published late on Monday night.
The governor continued, “Where there are differences in our approaches, I hope my amendments reflect the common ground we can find together.”
Youngkin expressed gratitude to the General Assembly and said he looks “forward to their return to Richmond next week as we work toward an on-time end to this year’s session.”
Among the bills Youngkin amended in his final legislative actions was the bill to allow skill games throughout the commonwealth.
Youngkin’s amended legislation would raise license fees, restrict the total number of machines, and give local governments the authority to ban skill games, among other changes.
The governor additionally amended the budget crafted by lawmakers, sending them 233 amendments to consider before April 17.
Youngkin’s amendments strip tax increases proposed by Virginia Democrats, who reportedly reacted with mixed emotions, but the governor argued his amendments represent “a Common Ground Budget” that demonstrates his administration’s commitment to the commonwealth.
Republicans had more enthusiasm, with Delegate Mark Earley (R-Chesterfield) writing in a post to the social media platform X that Youngkin “vastly improved the budget prospect by putting forth these amendments.”
He said, “I hope the Democrats will work in good faith toward a workable budget.”
The Governor has vastly improved the budget prospect by putting forth these amendments. I am currently reviewing them. We will take them up next week at our reconvene session. I hope the Democrats will work in good faith toward a workable budget. pic.twitter.com/oR7vhzkKb4
— Mark Earley (@earley4delegate) April 9, 2024
Democratic lawmakers previously claimed Youngkin was using his veto power to punish the Democrats responsible for killing his legislation to bring the Washington Wizards and Capitals to a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia, though the governor’s office pledged Youngkin would thoughtfully consider all legislation.
State Senator L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who used her position as the Senate Finance Committee chair to block legislation to oversee arena funding, previously acknowledged the possibility Youngkin could veto the budget amid his disagreements with legislative Democrats.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Governor of Virginia.
