r/VirginiaDems

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have allowed Virginia to (finally) start legal recreational cannabis sales in 2027.

Spanberger's veto is another setback for the Virginia Democrats who prioritized the effort and were banking on her support after years of Republican vetoes — and her pledge to support the measure.

General Assembly Democrats agreed on legislation to set up a retail weed marketplace that passed on a nearly party-line vote on the last day of the legislative session in March. Spanberger later rewrote the bill with changes that lawmakers said they couldn't accept.

The Democrat-led Legislature chose not to consider Spanberger's version, which forced the governor to either sign the bill that lawmakers sent her, veto the long-desired retail market or quietly allow it to become law without her signature after 30 days.

Four days before her deadline to act, Spanberger vetoed the bill — prolonging Virginia's yearslong stay in marijuana purgatory.

Click here to read more.

r/VirginiaDems

Video: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11/Fairfax) Expresses Frustration with “Haphazardly Done, Incomplete” DNC “Autopsy” Report, Chair Ken Martin; "The mistake was not getting a solid, comprehensive, fulsome report completed..."

Virginia Democrat who praised LGBTQ+ inclusion is now helping Republicans out trans kids

“We will make sure that Justice Kelsey does not serve anymore come this January," said Del. Dan Helmer.

Commentary: Spanberger showed bravado in vetoing Democratic bills. What if some return to her in the budget? | You can’t run as a centrist with strong support from moderates and liberals and then satisfy both when your actions determine policy, columnist Bob Lewis writes.

Spanberger’s ICE actions deepen divide with Virginia Democrats | Governor vetoes some immigration enforcement limits while signing other protections and issuing new executive order.

Opinion: 6 things to know about Spanberger’s ‘Tuesday Afternoon Massacre’ of bills | Spanberger has now vetoed more bills than any other governor since the 1990s whose party controlled the legislature. Here’s what to make of that.

Governor kills Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposal | A five-year effort rebranded as the Affordable Medicine Act this year and picked up additional bipartisan support before facing Spanberger’s rejection

Spanberger vetoes retail weed market bill, despite campaign pledge

VA Speaker Scott Says Dems Shouldn't Get Into "Tit-for-Tat," Should Focus on the "Donut, Not the Hole," Including Gov. Spanberger Signing "1,132 Bills" This Session; "There is nothing that she has done that I can say I'm surprised by... I'm not...despondent"

At least 4 Virginia Democratic House candidates drop out after courts toss new map

Video: Sen. Mark Warner on Some of Trump’s $1.776 Billion Slush Fund Going to 1/6/21 Rioters – “Is there no line that goes too far?” (Also: "This is 2026 in America. We're not in Russia or China where they don't have free elections.")

Gov. Abigail Spanberger Signs Bills Prohibiting Law Enforcment from Wearing Facial Coverings; Executive Order with Guidance, Restrictions on Federal Immigration Enforcement in Virginia; Spanberger also vetoes bills prohibiting certain federal civil immigration enforcement activities at courthouses

Commentary: Spanberger’s data center position is the test of her affordability message | The governor says data centers should pay their fair share, but “fair share” has the shape of a position without its substance, guest columnist Tommy Turner writes.

Gov. Spanberger Issues Vetoes: Class Action Lawsuits, Retail Marketplace for Cannabis Products, Prescription Drug Affordability, etc.

Video: Gov. Abigail Spanberger Says That "with a president who’s even more unpopular than he was the last time we faced a midterm for him, we can win 3-4 seats in Virginia [this November]...and we have to do it!”

As a lifelong Progressive, Democratic voter, and Spanberger voter, here are my thoughts regarding the AWB:

Virginia governor signs assault firearms ban into law

I am a federal contractor, bottom of the totem pole. Am I able to make campaign contributions?

Gov. Abigail Spanberger says the midterm elections will be under the old maps

Audio: VA Senate Majority Leader Surovell Says Gov. Spanberger’s Veto of Collective Bargaining Legislation “Not Great” for Their Working Relationship; "Historically, Democratic governors don't veto Democratic bills"; "we're still trying to figure out this governor and her style"