The State Senate meets in Richmond but takes no action

Richmond, Virginia – The Virginia Senate’s members arrived back at the state capitol on Tuesday with the intention of addressing two urgent matters. But they failed to reach an agreement on either and departed Richmond.

They hoped to discuss contentious modifications to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education program, which provides financial assistance for postsecondary education to certain military families, including those whose relatives were killed in action.

Legislation supporting skill games was also introduced, allowing Virginia’s small businesses to once again host the machines.

Finally, neither was taken up by the Senate Finance Committee.

After lawmakers addressed the benefits of education, Governor Youngkin stated he would only take up the skill game legislation. Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), the Finance Chair, had stated she did not want to set one group of voters against another.

She declared the creation of a workgroup that will expeditiously produce suggestions for the education program, as well as state research. She stated that politicians will carry on developing skill games.
Republicans reacted angrily when the education proposal was not brought up for a vote.

“And now as many of our citizens that qualify for this program and their children are watching us today on the floor, our inaction speaks volumes,” said Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Fredericksburg).

“It’s easy to say we’re all here today and nothing was accomplished. Something could have been accomplished had there not been an attitude of my way or the highway,” countered Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton).

Tuesday afternoon, the State Senate adjourned without taking any action regarding skill games or the benefits to education.

Youngkin, the governor, released the following statement:

“I stand with our military heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP by fully repealing the language, and addressing this in the full light of day. These men and women deserve so much better.”

This discourse will continue since members of the Virginia Senate and members of the House of Delegates are scheduled to return to Capitol Square on June 28.