"We can do better than just thoughts and prayers in Virginia."
House Democrats plan to introduce new gun violence prevention legislation this session.
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The rundown
House Democrats blame “Glenn Youngkin’s MAGA administration and NRA-funded House Republicans” for blocking gun violence prevention legislation and funding. They say they plan to introduce multiple pieces of legislation during the upcoming legislative session aimed at curbing gun violence.
Law enforcement released the note left behind by the man who murdered six Walmart employees in Chesapeake.
Attorney General Miyares Urges Virginians to Stay Vigilant, Highlights Identity Theft Passport Program
Midterm Early Votes by Locality - VPAP
House Democrats blame Republicans for gun violence
The Democratic caucuses in the Senate and House of Delegates used different messaging in responding to the tragedy at Walmart in Chesapeake.
Senate Democrats had a shorter message that mirrors hundreds of Democratic messages after tragedies in the past.
House Democrats on the other hand took a much stronger tone by blaming “Glenn Youngkin’s MAGA administration and NRA-funded House Republicans” for blocking gun violence prevention legislation and funding. House Democrats also say they plan to introduce legislation during the upcoming legislative session to include:
increasing industry accountability and putting age restrictions on certain weapons
banning the use of ghost guns
creating limits on high-capacity magazines
The statements from both caucuses are below:
The Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus responded to the mass shooting in Chesapeake with a statement Wednesday:
"Thanksgiving is the time we traditionally take a moment to reflect on those things in our lives that truly make us thankful. Instead, we find ourselves once again in the posture of mourning for the victims of yet another mass shooting in Virginia. Our thoughts are with the eight families mourning the loss of their loved ones and we mourn with the community of Chesapeake, Virginia. We are beyond the point of 'thoughts and prayers,' and we should all agree that enough is simply enough. We must collectively come together to end gun violence in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It’s the reasonable and sensible thing to do."
The House Democratic Caucus also released a statement on Wednesday:
“Tragedies like what took place at UVA just last week and in Chesapeake last night are all too common in America and across the Commonwealth. It is unacceptable that six more families will have an empty seat at their Thanksgiving table this year.
”The Virginia House Democrats have consistently put forth legislation to create safeguards against this persistent gun violence. Yet time and time again, Glenn Youngkin’s MAGA administration and NRA-funded House Republicans have stood in the way of protections and cut funding for gun violence prevention. They've even sought to repeal common sense measures like red flag laws.
”Our thoughts and prayers go out to every victim and their families. But thoughts and prayers without action are empty. Enough is enough. We can do better than just thoughts and prayers in Virginia.
”House Democrats will raise this issue again in our new session — it is past time for the other side to stand with us and protect Virginians. During next year's session we plan to support legislation that works to increase industry accountability and put age restrictions on certain weapons, we will also propose bills to ban the use of ghost guns, and create limits on high capacity magazines. Finally, we will work to address the issue by empowering communities and community based organizations to deal with the crippling effects of poverty, our lack of mental health resources, and to create more youth engagement programs.”
Content Warning: The man who murdered 6 employees at the Walmart in Chesapeake left behind a note on his phone according to officials. Read the note below:
Midterm Early Votes by Locality - VPAP
Nearly one in three Virginia ballots statewide were cast before Election Day in the 2022 midterms. In this heat map, localities with the highest percentage of early votes are shaded the darkest.
VIDEO: Attorney General Miyares Urges Virginians to Stay Vigilant, Highlights Identity Theft Passport Program
Learn more about the Attorney General’s identity theft passport HERE.
Youngkin warns of recession but vows to pursue tax cuts — cautiously - Washington Post
by Greg Schneider
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said he plans to seek tax cuts in his budget proposal for next year despite acknowledging that a possible economic recession could weaken the state’s finances. But Youngkin added that he will approach the issue of tax cuts cautiously — a change in tone since floating the idea of eliminating the state income tax during his campaign for office last year.
“One of our key priorities is not to be in a circumstance where we get over our skis on either side of this — tax cuts or in spending,” Youngkin said this week in brief remarks to reporters after meeting with a panel of business leaders to assess the state’s economic outlook.
