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McAuliffe’s vetoes of partisan flash points survive GOP attempts to override them McAuliffe’s vetoes of partisan flash points survive GOP attempts to override them
(35 minutes later)
RICHMOND — The Republican-controlled General Assembly on Wednesday failed to override any of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s vetoes on partisan flashpoints and rejected his suggestions for how to amend measures regulating gifts lawmakers can accept. RICHMOND — The Republican-controlled General Assembly on Wednesday failed to override any of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s vetoes on partisan flash points and rejected his suggestions for how to amend measures regulating the gifts that lawmakers may accept.
McAuliffe (D) and lawmakers ultimately found rare consensus on bills setting up a regional economic development program, but put off until next year the decision whether to fund Go Virginia projects.McAuliffe (D) and lawmakers ultimately found rare consensus on bills setting up a regional economic development program, but put off until next year the decision whether to fund Go Virginia projects.
During the day-long marathon session, lawmakers slogged through an agenda laden with incendiary issues in an attempt to gain the two-third majorities of both chambers needed to reverse the governor’s vetoes. During the day-long marathon session, lawmakers slogged through an agenda laden with incendiary issues in an attempt to gain the two-thirds majorities of both chambers needed to reverse the governor’s vetoes.
The governor vetoed 32 bills that would have rolled back gay rights, de-funded Planned Parenthood and given parents the right to “opt out” their children from reading sexually explicit books. The governor vetoed 32 bills that would have rolled back gay rights, defunded Planned Parenthood and given parents the right to “opt out” their children from reading sexually explicit books.
On bills that would have protected Confederate memorials and extended coal tax credits, the overwhelmingly Republican House voted to override McAuliffe’s vetoes but the Senate — where Republicans have only a one vote advantage — said ‘no’. On bills that would have protected Confederate memorials and extended coal tax credits, the overwhelmingly Republican House voted to override McAuliffe’s vetoes but the Senate — where Republicans have only a one vote advantage — said “no.”
[McAuliffe has vetoed more bills in a session than any Va. governor since 1998][McAuliffe has vetoed more bills in a session than any Va. governor since 1998]
House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) accused McAuliffe of failing to interact with lawmakers during the legislative session only to swoop in with changes at the eleventh hour. House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) accused McAuliffe of failing to interact with lawmakers during the legislative session, only to swoop in with changes at the 11th hour.
“Unfortunately, this is often how this administration, to me, has worked over the last four years,” he said in a floor speech. “On many issues, they tend to be fairly disengaged throughout the session, but after the session too quick to be in front of the cameras with the veto pen.”“Unfortunately, this is often how this administration, to me, has worked over the last four years,” he said in a floor speech. “On many issues, they tend to be fairly disengaged throughout the session, but after the session too quick to be in front of the cameras with the veto pen.”
Sen. Richard L. Saslaw (D - Fairfax) said the political rancor was not productive. Sen. Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said the political rancor was not productive.
“I’m proud that we have sustained every veto to come before the Senate since the start of Gov. McAuliffe’s term — but these bills should never have been introduced in the first place,” he said in a statement. “Instead of wasting time on divisive, partisan legislation, we ought to be focused on making Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”“I’m proud that we have sustained every veto to come before the Senate since the start of Gov. McAuliffe’s term — but these bills should never have been introduced in the first place,” he said in a statement. “Instead of wasting time on divisive, partisan legislation, we ought to be focused on making Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Coal tax creditsCoal tax credits
A heated debate ensued over McAuliffe’s veto — for the second straight year — of a bill that would have extended coal tax credits.A heated debate ensued over McAuliffe’s veto — for the second straight year — of a bill that would have extended coal tax credits.
Del. Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott) represents a Southwest district suffering from dramatic job losses as the nation turns away from coal as an energy source.Del. Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott) represents a Southwest district suffering from dramatic job losses as the nation turns away from coal as an energy source.
He said $610 million paid to coal companies since 1998 “pales in comparison” to the toll taken on his region. He noted lawmakers have supported funding for northern Virginia roads, Dulles Airport and the port in Hampton Roads. “We are hurting in southwest Virginia,” he said. He said $610 million paid to coal companies since 1998 “pales in comparison” to the toll taken on his region. He noted that lawmakers have supported funding for northern Virginia roads, Dulles International Airport and the port in Hampton Roads. “We are hurting in southwest Virginia,” he said.
House Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) countered that tax credits are not the best way to bolster economically disadvantaged areas.House Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) countered that tax credits are not the best way to bolster economically disadvantaged areas.
“This money goes to companies,” he said. “If you think you’re helping workers by supporting this, you’re wrong.”“This money goes to companies,” he said. “If you think you’re helping workers by supporting this, you’re wrong.”
All 66 House Republicans agreed to an override; they were joined by three Democrats. The override effort failed in the Senate, where the vote was 24 to 15.All 66 House Republicans agreed to an override; they were joined by three Democrats. The override effort failed in the Senate, where the vote was 24 to 15.
War memorialsWar memorials
Lawmakers also split over a bill that would have prohibited cities and counties from removing war memorials, including Civil War monuments that recall the South’s history of slavery.Lawmakers also split over a bill that would have prohibited cities and counties from removing war memorials, including Civil War monuments that recall the South’s history of slavery.
Supporters of the bill sponsored by Del. Charles D. Poindexter (R-Franklin) say it would have protected the state’s historical record and legacy, warts and all, while opponents say it would have stymied local debate over how to treat painful symbols of the Confederacy and other wars. All 66 Republicans agreed to an override, joined by two Democrats. The override died in the Senate, where the vote was 21 to 18.Supporters of the bill sponsored by Del. Charles D. Poindexter (R-Franklin) say it would have protected the state’s historical record and legacy, warts and all, while opponents say it would have stymied local debate over how to treat painful symbols of the Confederacy and other wars. All 66 Republicans agreed to an override, joined by two Democrats. The override died in the Senate, where the vote was 21 to 18.
Go VirginiaGo Virginia
After months of debate, lawmakers on Tuesday said they agreed to a deal with McAuliffe on the Go Virginia job creation program. Under the compromise, the governor will make most of the appointments to powerful state board, although many of those will be subject to confirmation by the legislature. After months of debate, lawmakers on Tuesday said they agreed to a deal with McAuliffe on the Go Virginia job creation program. Under the compromise, the governor will make most of the appointments to the powerful state board, although many of those will be subject to confirmation by the legislature.
The program is intended to give busi­ness­peo­ple on the board wide latitude in doling out millions of dollars in economic development grants. But none of the money will be awarded unless lawmakers give permission during the next legislative session.The program is intended to give busi­ness­peo­ple on the board wide latitude in doling out millions of dollars in economic development grants. But none of the money will be awarded unless lawmakers give permission during the next legislative session.
EthicsEthics
Finally, Republicans rejected McAuliffe’s changes to a bill intended to police gift-giving in response to the 2014 corruption conviction of former governor Robert F. McDonnell.Finally, Republicans rejected McAuliffe’s changes to a bill intended to police gift-giving in response to the 2014 corruption conviction of former governor Robert F. McDonnell.
Lawmakers this session passed a bill that would have created a new category of “de minimis” gifts and meals under $20 that would not count toward the $100 annual total cap on gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers. McAuliffe’s amendment would have raised the threshold to $25, but said meals no matter what their value still counted toward the cap. The governor also wanted to eliminate “check splitting,” giving lobbyists fewer chances to wine and dine lawmakers before reaching the cap. Lawmakers this session passed a bill that would have created a new category of de minimis, or trivial, gifts and meals under $20 that would not count toward the $100 annual total cap on gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers. McAuliffe’s amendment would have raised the threshold to $25, but said that meals, no matter what their value, still counted toward the cap. The governor also wanted to eliminate “check splitting,” giving lobbyists fewer chances to wine and dine lawmakers before reaching the cap.
McAuliffe has 30 days to decide whether to sign the bill in its original form or veto it, killing it for the session.McAuliffe has 30 days to decide whether to sign the bill in its original form or veto it, killing it for the session.
Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.Laura Vozzella contributed to this report.