The New Virginia: Eerily Similar to New York

As the Virginia Democrats set their leadership roles for the next Virginia General Assembly after securing both the House of Delegates and Senate in the election earlier this month, policy focus is being leaked out of the caucus that illuminates the road in which Virginia Democrats plan to take now that they are no longer an opposition Party in the Assembly.

I preview of what is the come from Virginia Democrats was seen earlier this year in the previous Assembly session when just days after New York passed an abortion bill known as the Reproductive Health Act, Virginia Democrats advanced a version of their own. The New York bill advanced abortion rights as well as removed several restrictions from existing state law. Prior to the passage of the bill, third term abortions were prohibited under New York state law unless required to save the life of the mother. The Virginia bill proposed by Delegate Kathy Tran of Springfield mirrored the New York bill and sought to remove the restrictions in place for third term abortions in Virginia.

Virginians can now expect to have the Tran bill carried through the House and Senate and signed by Governor Ralph Northam (D). This measure will fulfill the tacit obligation Democrats have to groups like Planned Parenthood PAC, Emily's List (estimated 2 million in contributions) and the pro-abortion advocacy groups contributing to the campaigns of Democrats during the election. Virginians can expect that the tax dollars moving forward will go to support abortions throughout Virginia.

The other priorities being leaked to the press in recent days center around the Equal Right Amendment and its ratification by Virginia General Assembly coupled with new laws set to protect sexual orientation and identity classes as a matter of law. The tentacles of such policy will be far reaching and call into question many legalities in areas like state contracts, religious organizations, adoption agencies and public schools.

The Virginia Beach shooting will be used as the Democrat catalyst for gun control that will certainly be signed by the Governor, The question that should be raised however is whether ANY of the "solutions" provided  by Democrats will actually deter gun violence. Universal Background Checks will certainly be advanced but question remains whether Progressives will push for the elimination of "open carry" laws in Virginia.

Progressives are also hoping to push for marijuana legalization most likely to use revenue from this to pay for other Progressive programs they seek to implement such as healthcare initiatives which likely will be underfunded like the expansion of Medicare.

Elections have consequences. Democrats secured the "trifecta" of power in Virginia now controlling the Executive and Legislative Branches of government and the likely result will be numerous proposed changes. While the abortion and guns issues are national agendas, Progressives will likely go after "right to work" laws and laws governing the state minimum wage laws in an effort to raise the rate in the coming year.

Republicans now in the opposition have little power to obstruct such proposals in truth other than rebuilding its brand in Virginia and undertake a concerted effort to bring Virginians into the Republican Party.