Gov. Northam delivers 2021 State of the Commonwealth address Facebook and last updated 2021-01-13 20:21:02-05 RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Ralph Northam delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Northam spoke from the House Chamber of the Virginia State Capitol before a virtual joint session of the General Assembly. The theme of his speech was "Calling the Commonwealth to Action in Times of Crisis." Northam addressed the pandemic, last weekâs insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and the steps his administration is taking to build a better Virginia, including his proposals to support small businesses, give teachers a more than 2% raise, expand early childhood education, legalize marijuana, and abolish the death penalty.