NEWS
Newly blue Va. Capitol could send gun-control bills to Youngkin's deSK
"For his first two years in office, Gov. Glenn Youngkin was not forced to act on any gun legislation, as Republicans and Democrats in a divided Capitol defeated each other’s bills to expand or restrict access to firearms. That will likely change as Democrats take control of both the House and Senate in Virginia’s General Assembly session beginning Jan. 10. ...
'He’s going to have to decide if he’s truly a suburban dad in a vest who cares about children and public safety or he cares more about the right-wing base,' said state Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who has a bill ready to file to ban the carrying of certain semiautomatic weapons in public."
HE REFUSES TO TAKE PHOTOS OF A GAY WEDDING, VIRGINIA SAYS HE'S ALLOWED.
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who introduced that legislation, said Tuesday that in settling the case, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares gave "a sweetheart deal" to "the ultra-right." In 2021 Northam was replaced by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has rolled back protections for trans students in ways civil rights advocates said violate the legislation. "Miyares has complained about prosecutors allegedly picking and choosing which laws they enforce, then he made a deal refusing to respect the law he swore to uphold," Ebbin said. The attorney general has criticized local prosecutors he considers insufficiently tough on criminal defendants and tried to give his office the power to prosecute some violent crimes.
Bills prohibiting insurer discrimination against organ donors wins bipartisan support
“The unnecessary stress and burden posed by insurance problems can disincentivize those considering much-needed live kidney donations, which is a better process than kidneys donated by those who are recently deceased,” Ebbin said.
Up in Smoke
"I'm very disappointed," said Ebbin shortly after the vote. "Years of work on establishing a regulated adult use market for cannabis has been dispatched by the House Republican majority without giving it thoughtful consideration."
House finalizes rejection of proposed constitutional amendments on same-sex marriage, felons' rights
Ebbin told the committee that the 2006 amendment “stained” Virginia’s Constitution.
He said his proposed amendment to remove the language and affirm a right to marry “provides a fundamental dignity and equality to our friends, family and neighbors, and to me.”
Virginia Senate Democrats kill slew of GOP voting bills
A Democrat-led Virginia Senate committee defeated a broad range of Republican-sponsored voting reform measures Tuesday, including bills that would have reinstated a requirement to present a photo ID before casting a ballot.
Virginia Senate Bill Speeds Up Sale of Recreational Marijuana
The bill, sponsored by Alexandria Senator Adam Ebbin, would clear the way for the sale of recreational marijuana at existing medical marijuana dispensaries in September, 16 months before the intended launch date of January 2024.
Fight over Youngkin nominee intensifies as House GOP blocks 11 Northam appointees
Earlier in the day, Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, who oversees appointment resolutions as chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, called the escalation frustrating and out of step with General Assembly protocol.
The Politics Hour: February 11, 2022
Then, Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-District 30) gives us his view on the busy session in Richmond, including the state Senate passing a bill that would make masking optional in schools. And how are priorities that Virginia Democrats worked so hard for — like marriage equality and the minimum wage boost — faring now that Republicans control the House of Delegates and the governor’s mansion?
Senate Democrats Block Appointment Of Andrew Wheeler
Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, warned that if Wheeler, a former coal industry lobbyist, were confirmed, the new secretary would use his "intelligence and subject-matter expertise to do exactly what he did at the federal level — systematically deconstruct the regulations which protect our environment."
Ebbin ascends to committee chairmanship in state Senate
“It is an honor to serve on this historic committee, which oversees what I believe to be our most sacred and fundamental right – the right to vote,” Ebbin said in a statement. “I look forward to running an open, efficient and thoughtful committee that prioritizes the voices of our citizens and ensures access to the ballot box.”