Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, discusses the collapse of legislation on mandatory minimum sentences.
RICHMOND â The General Assembly on Monday formally capped a COVID-19-complicated session that featured landmark action on issues ranging from the death penalty to future marijuana legalization.
Here are 26 reasons why the session mattered.
Abortion
The House and Senate backed legislation to remove the ban on abortion coverage on the stateâs health care exchange.
Booze
Lawmakers backed restaurantsâ ability to sell cocktails to-go through July 1, 2022. The legislation is a first step toward making permanent a temporary pandemic provision that has allowed restaurants to sell cocktails to-go since April.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The General Assembly on Monday formally capped a COVID-complicated session that featured landmark action on issues ranging from the death penalty to future marijuana legalization.
Here are 26 reasons why the session mattered.
AbortionThe House and Senate backed legislation to remove the ban on abortion coverage on the stateâs health care exchange.
AlcoholLawmakers backed restaurantsâ ability to sell cocktails to-go through July 1, 2022. The legislation is a first step toward making permanent a temporary pandemic provision that has allowed restaurants to sell cocktails to-go since April.
Censure The Senate censured Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, a GOP candidate for governor, for âconduct unbecomingâ of a member of the Senate.
Death penalty, marijuana, statues and taxes: 26 reasons why the General Assembly session mattered fredericksburg.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fredericksburg.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Va. Sen. Adam Ebbin speaks on behalf of the effort to legalize marijuana in Virginia
RICHMOND â Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, described a measure to legalize marijuana as the biggest bill heâs seen in his 30 years in Richmond. Deeds and other Democrats have expressed support for legalization, but the legislation faces many unresolved questions and disputes, with about two weeks left on the clock.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath
How soon should the state stop punishing people for possessing small amounts? What new crimes make sense in a legalized market? What is the best way to ensure people affected by the so-called war on drugs have a role in the legalized market? And, what of the millions in new revenue?
February 9, 2021 at 10:30am
A former Columbia Pike business has inspired a state bill that would allow localities greater say over liquor licenses.
HB 2131 was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates last month by Del. Alfonso Lopez, who represents Arlington including portions of the Pike in the 49th District.
It has since passed the House unanimously and is now in the Virginia State Senate.
The bill is a response to a number of incidents, including multiple shootings, that took place in 2020 at the nightlife venue Purple Ethiopian Restaurant & Lounge at 3111 Columbia Pike.
Despite “a series of disturbing events” and much to the chagrin of the Arlington County Board, the venue was given its liquor license back by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in September.