BREAKING: Virginia House Democrats Respond to Minimum Wage and Cannabis Vetoes
Governor blocks 600,000 Virginians from receiving a raise
March 28, 2024
RICHMOND, VA – Yesterday, Governor Youngkin continued his streak of vetoing common-sense bills that would have improved the quality of life for Virginia families. His veto of HB1, which would have raised the minimum wage to $15 over two years, and the veto of HB698— would have created a safe marketplace for adult use of marijuana – just continues to highlight how out of touch he is with Virginians. The additional 7 vetoes bump his record to 128 vetoes – further showcasing his extreme conservative record that holds Virginia back.
“Yesterday’s vetoes came as no surprise. We have continued to work for the dignity of all Virginians, while the Governor looks out for his friends. The fight for a living wage isn’t over, and will be won,” said Speaker Don Scott. “As for cannabis, in Virginia it’s a multi-billion dollar illicit market, and not legalizing it doesn’t do anything to help anyone. If we legalize adult use, we can regulate it, tax it, and keep it away from kids. It’s reckless not to create a legal market in the Commonwealth.”
Majority Leader Charniele Herring said, “I was heartbroken to see that the Governor vetoed HB1. We live in a time of expanding economic inequality as seen most starkly in the housing market. More and more people are a paycheck away from an emergency that could result in losing housing. We know that this isn’t just a Virginia problem – and that raising the minimum wage was the least we could do to support working families.”
“At a time when nearly a quarter of Virginia families struggle to put food on the table, it is unconscionable that the Governor would oppose giving working Virginians a raise,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Kathy Tran. “For families across the Commonwealth, the status quo is unacceptable. And we will continue fighting for an economy that works for everyone.”
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