Gov. Northam delivers Condition of the Commonwealth address amid COVID-19 pandemic

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RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Governor Ralph Northam has a large amount of points to get performed in his remaining yr, and the fallout from COVID-19 will dominate a ton of that time but the governor also has his sights on other priorities.

Within a close to-empty Virginia Statehouse on Wednesday, Northam states the program to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of the aged is now speeding up.

“They licensed states to go in advance and begin vaccinating people age 65 and up. We’ll be relocating ahead with that quickly—I’ll be speaking to area wellness directors and hospitals tomorrow about how we make this come about,” Northam stated.

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Northam and Democrats – in total handle – will press really hard this yr to legalize cannabis, but the proposed two-yr approach signifies that wouldn’t be a truth until 2023.

Northam is also pushing to close the demise penalty and make restoring civil legal rights for felons an automated method.

“If we want men and women to return to their communities and participate in modern society, we want to welcome them back completely. It’s improper to maintain punishing people today permanently. This is the correct detail to do,” Northam said.

Point out Republicans led by Del. Kirk Cox (R) 66th District, who is seeking that party’s nomination to operate for governor, pounced on Northam’s handling of the COVID crisis and a slower than expected vaccine rollout.

“This is not the only essential spot the place Virginia failed to are living up to its the moment-coveted status as America’s very best-managed point out. Thousands of Virginians have had to wait endlessly to obtain unemployment positive aspects, unnecessarily extending their hardship,” Cox stated.

This session, GOP lawmakers are performing on laws to get learners back in the classroom and to adjust absentee voting laws.

“By adopting popular-perception procedures that open our faculties, reinforce our financial state, and safeguard our citizens, we can come to be a national chief when yet again,” Sen. John Cosgrove, (R) 14th District stated.

Northam is anticipated to deliver extra particulars about the approach to vaccinate the aged through a COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon.

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