Another day in the Virginia General Assembly means…yep, more disgusting (but 100% predictable) behavior by Virginia Republicans, who have spent this entire session so far killing great legislation and pushing bad legislation. See below for examples from today, and don’t forget this stuff next year, when we need to oust as many of these @#$!$@ers as possible.
It’s a dark day in #Virginia, as House leaders conspire to kill 5 pro-#LGBT bills. These shameful votes don’t represent the will of Virginians—and we won’t stop fighting until we secure full, statewide protections! #VAGov pic.twitter.com/d5d80FarDr
— Equality Virginia (@EqualityVA) February 8, 2018
Proud of the work done by the @VAHouseDems to advance so many important bills supporting the LGBTQ community. Disappointed that they were once again defeated on party line votes. Thank you @AdamEbbin @marcussimon @DelegateMark pic.twitter.com/SUDqUnScY0
— Alfonso Lopez (@Lopez4VA) February 8, 2018
4 Men Who Have Never Given Birth Kill State Paid Family Leave Bill
Republican Delegates Buck Speaker Cox on Support For Paid Leave for State Employees
Richmond, VA—Disregarding their party leader’s public declaration in support of paid family leave for state employees, Republican male Delegates Poindexter, Ingram, Rush, and Garrett this afternoon killed HB1598 (Sickles). The Republican men ignored not only the Speaker of the House of Delegates but also a recent JLARC report requested by the legislature on state employees’ benefits package. That report recommended the commonwealth increase the state employee benefit package in order to recruit and retain qualified employees.
“Anyone who works hard should be able to raise and care for a family with dignity. But too many workers don’t see their hard work honored with the ability to take paid time off to welcome a new child, care for a sick family member, or take care of a health emergency. Unfortunately, 4 men who work full time while receiving generous benefits from the state chose to deny state employees the very same parental leave Speaker Cox has granted to the employees of the House of Delegates. The hypocrisy is simply staggering.”
A similar proposal from Republican Delegate Kathy Byron (HB994) has not been scheduled for a hearing. In December, House Speaker Kirk Cox announced his support for a paid family leave policy for state employees while releasing his intentions to implement the policy for employees of the House of Delegates. That action was implemented in January. With this action from the GOP members of the House Appropriations Compensation and Retirement Subcommittee, House of Delegates employees may receive 12 week of paid parental leave, unlike other state employees.
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