RICHMOND—Governor Northam today unveiled his administration’s key priorities for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly special session, set to begin on Tuesday, August 18th.
Legislators will reconvene to address Virginia’s biennial budget, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing global pandemic. In addition, Governor Northam is proposing several measures to advance equity, reform policing, and protect the safety, health, and welfare of Virginians during this crisis.
“Virginians are hurting, and the Commonwealth is stepping up,” said Governor Northam. “Our country is battling both a health crisis and an economic crisis at once, so Virginia is advancing new programs to help people stay in their homes, care for the ones they love, and feel safe in the community.
“This starts with sound fiscal management and smart investments in our future. Careful planning has kept us from having to gut critical services or lay off state workers, like other states have done. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to advance long overdue police reform and pass record investments in affordable housing and broadband, so we can continue to support Virginians during this unprecedented time.”
Below are several of Governor Northam’s priorities for the upcoming special session. Additional priorities will be announced at the Governor’s annual speech to the General Assembly Joint Money Committees, scheduled for 9:30AM on Tuesday, August 18th.
Safe, Affordable Housing
Access to safe and stable housing is critically important, particularly in the midst of the ongoing health crisis. That is why Governor Northam is proposing $88 million in state funding to combat evictions and to expand access to affordable housing. These investments include a historic $85 million investment in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, which will complement federal CARES Act funding to expand access to affordable housing, reduce homelessness, and protect Virginians from eviction. The Governor is also proposing $3.3 million in funding to establish an Eviction Prevention and Diversion Pilot Program to reduce evictions in communities across the Commonwealth.
In addition, Governor Northam is proposing a pause on evictions until at least April 30, 2021, tied to the requirement that landlords and tenants work together on a payment plan and seek out financial assistance, including through Virginia’s statewide Rent and Mortgage Relief Program.
While Virginians remain safely housed, they also need access to critical utility services. The Governor’s package includes a moratorium on utility disconnections for electric, water and natural gas utilities until 60 days after the current state of emergency ends.
Access to Broadband
A recent SCHEV report found that nearly 200,000 K-12 students and 60,000 college students across Virginia lack access to broadband at home. This disparity is particularly troubling as many school districts across Virginia plan a virtual start to the school year. To address this, Governor Northam is proposing a record $85 million to expand access to broadband for unserved communities. This historic investment in the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) will fund last-mile broadband infrastructure across the Commonwealth during this time of need.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically Black Colleges and Universities play an essential role in reducing educational inequities, many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. That is why Governor Northam is proposing a $15 million investment in Virginia’s public HBCUs. This funding will increase support for underserved students and will fund needed technology upgrades.
Police and Criminal Justice Reform
In July, Governor Northam directed the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Virginia African American Advisory Board, and the Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in Virginia Law to develop policy recommendations and share input with the administration. Governor Northam has also communicated regularly with activists, community leaders, and law enforcement officials, and incorporated their feedback into his policy priorities.
The Governor’s special session priorities include measures to:
- Expand the criteria for which a law enforcement officer can be decertified, to include officers who are terminated due to law or policy violations or resign during an ongoing investigation;
- Empower Virginia’s Criminal Justice Services Board to initiate decertification proceedings when de-certifiable conduct is brought to the Board’s attention, regardless of written notice from a local law enforcement department;
- Require law enforcement officers to intervene when they see a colleague engaging in or attempting to engage in unlawful use of force;
- Standardize law-enforcement training across Virginia through development of statewide minimum training standards, curriculum, and lesson plans, to include use of force tactics;
- Mandate information-sharing between hiring agencies and previous employers and strengthen the vetting process of newly-hired officers;
- Create best practices for Civilian Review Panels and empower localities to establish review panels;
- Diversify the Criminal Justice Services Board’s Committee on Training to include representatives from civil rights and community organizations, and require opportunities for public input into the development of training standards.
In addition, Governor Northam and his administration are working closely with legislators on measures not outlined above, including proposals related to behavioral health, fair and free elections, and racial equity. Additional proposals will be announced at the Governor’s annual speech to the General Assembly Joint Money Committees, and the Governor looks forward to continued discussions with lawmakers throughout the special session. |
August 14, 2020 @ 7:51 pm
How about no more internal investigations but instead outside entities to investigate deaths doe to force or while inside the jails.
August 14, 2020 @ 7:58 pm
How about including Babies Lives Matter and vote against full term abortions? After all, you are a pediatrician.
August 14, 2020 @ 8:18 pm
Gov. you are the worst governor this state has ever had.
The liberal house and senate is filled with people who don’t have a clue as to what the people want them to do.
August 17, 2020 @ 9:47 am
Well they were voted in because the majority of people wanted what they stand for
August 14, 2020 @ 8:36 pm
Awesome I as a Virginia resident would like to see most if not all implemented
August 14, 2020 @ 8:38 pm
I hope that something is going to be done to ensure that we are going to be able to votr
August 14, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
Seems all governor is worried about is police. Did he ever think that if people of any color didnt get in trouble all the time there wouldnt be a problem. We have bigger problems than all this protesting with these thugs tearing down the country. Nobody has respect for people that do that crap. And if he really was concerned about Va citizens he would open this state up and stop destroying it by his ignorant covid policies
August 14, 2020 @ 9:31 pm
Meanwhile here in good ole Virginia we listen to what the governor tells us to do.we set back and watch all the ma and pop shops and local businesses crumble and places like Walmart succeed because they and the other big named stores will be the only ones left. I live in a small town here in va in two girls just quit there jobs at foodlion because they were told the American flag face masks they were wearing were considered offensive they were told to change them or go home and they both quit their jobs and stood up for what they believed in.why is it that two teenagers have more guts than half this country does.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:23 pm
I agree with the agenda with emphasis on policing and justice reform. The Justice reform aspect should include increased funding in legal aide representation for the population that is financially unable to make bail and are disenfranchised thru unjust plea deals when the court appointed attorney case load exceeds a reasonable case load.
Please continue to consult the advice of your health experts in responding to covid19. Every US citizen of VA should have access and the ability to cast their vote in a safe and fair election.
August 15, 2020 @ 7:17 am
You suck as a governor and you only have the big cities in our state in your window frame. What about the rural areas of the state. And you dictate who can or can’t see their loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes and babies lives don’t matter. You mandate masks and that isn’t the problem nor ever has been. It’s all about control and that’s how I see it. You have no earthly idea of what the people need, only what you need.
August 15, 2020 @ 7:22 am
#sayhisname Cannon Hinnant Why no one will talk about this five year old child being murdered by a black man. CNN, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, THE NEW YORK TIMES or THE WASHINGTON POST have not covered this story. Is it because a young black man who has an extensive criminal record allegedly walked up to Cannon, stuck a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. These supposedly news organizations ignored this cowardly act of murder. Why have you done the same. Stand up and #sayhisname Cannon Hinnant
August 15, 2020 @ 9:44 am
This governor only doing this stuff because of his blackface crap. Otherwise he wouldnt care
August 15, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
I think Governor Northam is doing a very good job. Why do I think that? Because I have the capacity to imagine how hard his job is, and despite how difficult his job is, he does it thoughtfully, paying attention to science and reason, and without an overly dramatic public display of emotion.
August 16, 2020 @ 8:26 am
How about working on UNEMPLOYMENT and appeals. How do you think people who are told to quarantine are supposed to make ends meet. People are hurting and you could give a damn. How can a family maintain with a 158.00 per week? I know it’s Congress who hold the purse strings. I have not heard you or them mention to their colleagues “ maybe a recess isn’t appropriate at the moment” we work for our constituents and we got work to do and until we come up with a solution, no one is going on recess.
August 16, 2020 @ 11:15 am
I am thankful we have a doctor as governor. You have a tough job and will never make everyone happy! Keep listening to the scientists. Virginia is in much better off with Covid than most other southern stated. Friends in Florida are moving back to VA because if their governor!
BUT, please work to make sure our ballots are counted on time – not much you can do about the fed, but try.
August 19, 2020 @ 3:34 am
Mr.Govenor..You are Virginias worst by far.How can you support full term abortion?That makes you a murderer the way I see it…So with every abortion that’s performed here in Va you’ve got you’re hand in everyone of them…Ive noticed you jumped up after Blackface and started acting and implementing a lot of Poo Poo ,to make the bad you did ,kinda go away??You should’ve resigned along time ago.Start worrying bout unemployed, struggling people and their lives..And stop worrying bout face masks that are a croc of poo..You did one thing.one thing right.. You are for Legalizing Marjuana ..It may take hold,and do away with the abuse of opoids and meth in our towns and country sides??Ok Poo poo..