Several of his proposals touched on the Democrats’ focus on criminal justice, including legalizing recreational marijuana, abolishing the death penalty and beginning the state constitutional amendment process to allow automatic restoration of certain civil rights like voting to former convicts.
Mr. Northam also proposed a permanent pay raise for teachers by more than 2% and broadband expansion as lessons to take away from the pandemic.
Virginia lawmakers kicked off their legislative session Wednesday by juggling the severity of the coronavirus pandemic with their ambitious goals.
Typically filled with pomp and circumstance, opening day of the General Assembly was subdued as lawmakers reworked how they will govern this session and mourned the loss of the late Sen. Ben Chafin.