Raises for Teachers but Soft On Crime – General Assembly Wrap-up

The assembly voted to abolish the death penalty — making Virginia the first Southern state to do so — and legalize marijuana as of 2024. It voted to expunge criminal records for many nonviolent offenses and pushed to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, although the latter effort ultimately failed in negotiations between the House and Senate.

By the time the House of Delegates adjourned at 11:12 p.m. on Saturday, the assembly also had agreed on proposed constitutional amendments that would restore voting rights for thousands of Virginians convicted of felonies. A proposed constitutional amendment would have to pass the legislature again next year before going to a statewide voter referendum.

More details here: https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/assembly-wrapping-up-with-raises-for-teachers-state-workers-transformation-of-criminal-justice/article_846dd3e6-09e9-5ccc-ac8f-a01508138cc8.html#tracking-source=home-trending