Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed dozens of bills late Friday, just before the midnight deadline when those measures would have automatically become laws.
Of the hundreds of final bills the Democrat-majority General Assembly delivered to his desk before going into recess two months ago, the Republican governor sent back 115 with his own amendments. The majority of those recommendations have been accepted, but lawmakers rejected dozens of vetoes.
On Friday, the last day he could decide what actions to take on the remaining pieces of legislation, Mr. Youngkin vetoed 49 bills while signing 6.
Confederate Tax Exemption
Notable vetoes include a Democrat-backed bill aimed at removing tax exemptions for specific nonprofit organizations that honor the heritage of those who fought under the Confederate banner during the Civil War.Headquartered in Richmond, the UDC is probably best known for erecting Confederate monuments across the South, many of which in recent years have become heated flashpoints, with sometimes violent confrontations between activists who view them as homages to the nation’s slave-holding past and those who see them as emblems of Southern heritage and pride.
In his veto message, Mr. Youngkin argued that the Confederate heritage groups shouldn’t be singled out from his state’s property tax exemption scheme, a designation-based system he described as “ripe for reform.”
“A more effective approach to reform would involve broad-based measures, allowing local governments autonomy in determining tax exemptions and considering the locality’s tax base and deed transfers,” the governor said. “These considerations would be permitted when a county or city sets its real estate tax levy, helping to reduce effective tax increases through assessments.”
Confederate License Plates
Also in the batch of vetoed bills was one concerning license plates with themes of Confederate commander Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the male counterpart of UDC.The state DMV, according to Mr. Youngkin, offers over 300 different types of specialty plates. The spectrum of special interest plates ranges from expressions of regional support to “debated social issues” to more personal endorsements of musicians, sports teams, and private businesses.
“In some instances, the plates represent overtly political statements, including pro-abortion, pro-life, for and against the Second Amendment, and even international relations concerning Tibet,” he explained.
Acknowledging that some may find those explicitly political license plates “offensive and controversial,” the governor maintains that the DMV’s approval process is “neutral and impartial,” with ultimate approval by the Legislature.
“These plates are not endorsements by the Commonwealth,” he said.
Mr. Youngkin insisted that he supports contraception access, but he also emphasized that, as governor, he must acknowledge the “diverse religious, ethical, and moral beliefs” of his state’s residents.
