RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed two top Democratic legislative priorities on Thursday: bills that would have allowed the recreational retail sales of marijuana to begin next year and measures mandating a minimum wage increase.
The development, which drew criticism from Democrats who control the General Assembly, did not come as a surprise. While Youngkin had not explicitly threatened to veto either set of bills, he told reporters he didn't think the minimum wage legislation was needed and had repeatedly said he was uninterested in setting up retail marijuana sales.
The minimum wage bills would have increased the current $12-per-hour minimum wage to $13.50 on Jan. 1, 2025, and then to $15 on Jan. 1, 2026. Youngkin said the bills would "imperil market freedom and economic competitiveness."
The bills would "implement drastic wage mandates, raise costs on families and small businesses, jeopardize jobs, and fail to recognize regional economic differences across Virginia," he said in a news release.
Virginia Democrats began an effort to increase the minimum wage in 2020. They passed legislation that year — which took effect with a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic — establishing incremental increases up to $12, with further bumps requiring another Assembly vote.
They and other advocates have argued the legislation would help working families afford basic necessities and keep up with inflation. One local business owner agrees.
Erik Kopack is the co-owner of Kobros, a coffee shop on 21st Street in Norfolk. He pays his employees above minimum wage because he believes it’s not enough to live on.
“People are still struggling at $15 an hour to ensure that rent’s paid, electric bills paid, and they’re able to put gas in the car," Kopack said.
Democratic Sen. L. Louise Lucas said in a statement that the bill would have set "a standard that would affirm our commitment to the dignity of labor and the belief that everyone deserves a fair shot at economic stability."
Youngkin took action on a total of 107 bills Thursday, according to his office. He signed 100, including measures that his office said would "strengthen law enforcement's ability to prosecute child predators and expand Department of Corrections inmate access to quality health services."
Besides the marijuana and wage bills, he vetoed three others. One would have removed an exemption for farm workers from the state's minimum wage law.
Another would have required that approximately 315 individuals incarcerated or on community supervision with a felony marijuana conviction receive a sentencing review, according to Youngkin's office.
"Ninety-seven inmates convicted of a violent felony offense, such as first and second-degree murder, kidnapping, and robbery, would be eligible for a reduced sentence under this proposal," he said in his veto statement.
Thursday's final veto came for a bill that dealt with the type of evidence that can be considered in certain workers' compensation claims. The governor said current law provides a "balanced approach" while the proposal would "create a disproportionate imbalance in favor of one party."
The part-time General Assembly adjourned its regular session earlier this month and will meet again in Richmond for a one-day session on April 17 to consider Youngkin's proposed amendments to legislation. They could also attempt to override one or more vetoes, a move that requires a 2/3 vote of both chambers, which are only narrowly controlled by Democrats.
The marijuana legislation advanced mostly along party lines, and the minimum wage bills passed strictly on party lines, meaning any override attempt would be almost certain to fail.
Youngkin announced the vetoes a day after the public collapse of one of his top legislative priorities: a deal to bring the NHL's Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards to Alexandria. The teams' majority owner announced they would instead be staying in D.C.