Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has taken action on a final batch of bills from the regular legislative session, signing seven and vetoing 48. Among the vetoed bills were measures that would have ended a tax break for a Confederate heritage organization and allowed small businesses to host skill games similar to slot machines. Youngkin proposed amendments that were rejected by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly before vetoing the bills that he believed were not ready to become law. He expressed a willingness to continue negotiations on topics like contraception, despite vetoing at least one measure intended to protect access to birth control.
The governor vetoed a measure that would have eliminated tax exemptions for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a women’s group that helped erect Confederate monuments. While Youngkin did not defend or criticize the tax break, he suggested that a more sweeping reform of property tax exemptions in Virginia would be more effective than targeting specific organizations. The governor also rejected a bill that would have repealed authorization for special license plates honoring Confederate figures like Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Youngkin emphasized the neutrality and impartiality of the Department of Motor Vehicles in approving specialty plates and noted that controversial plates are ultimately approved by the legislature.
One of the most contentious issues of the year was the legalization of skill games, which Youngkin vetoed after the Legislature rejected his proposed changes to the bill. The governor wanted a higher tax rate and stricter location limits for the machines, carving out a ban radius around casinos and other gambling facilities. The skill games, known as gray machines, have been a source of debate in Virginia, with proponents arguing that they level the playing field for small businesses. Youngkin’s veto was expected, as he sought a compromise on the issue but faced opposition from various gambling interests.
Youngkin also vetoed gun control measures, including one that would have prohibited firearms in hospitals providing mental health services. Earlier in the year, he vetoed several other Democratic gun bills but signed two with bipartisan support. The seven bills signed by the governor covered a range of topics, including parental notification of overdoses in schools and local governments’ ability to lower speed limits. The ongoing negotiations between Youngkin and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly signal a potential for further discussions and compromises on key legislative issues in Virginia.
