Governor Northam tours a pop-up vaccination clinic at Todos Supermarket in Woodbridge on Thursday, April 1. In addition to this site, he visited another community-based COVID-19 vaccine event at First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, both organized by the Prince William Health District and aimed at reaching vulnerable populations.

WEEK OF APRIL 2, 2021

As Vaccinations Continue to Climb, Governor Northam Announces Virginia Will Expand Vaccine Eligibility to All Adults by April 18

TAKEAWAYS

Details of this announcement “The COVID-19 vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel—and that light is getting brighter every day as more and more Virginians get vaccinated,” said Governor Northam. “We continue to work with diverse providers and community partners across the Commonwealth to distribute vaccines in a fair and equitable way and ensure those at the highest risk are vaccinated first. Expanding vaccine eligibility to all adults marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to put this pandemic behind us, and I thank all of the public health staff, health care workers, vaccinators, and volunteers who have helped make this possible.”

PRESS

The Virginian-Pilot All Virginians over age 16 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine April 18, Northam says The Washington Post Virginia will expand vaccine eligibility to all over age 16 by April 18, Northam says Richmond Times-Dispatch All adults in Virginia will be eligible for a vaccine by April 18, Northam says Associated Press Virginians age 16+ eligible for COVID-19 vaccine on April 18 The Roanoke Times All Virginians to be eligible for vaccination April 18; Roanoke area expands eligibility to more workers Friday Virginia Mercury Virginia to expand vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older by mid-April WTVR.com COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expanded in Virginia; all 16+ will qualify by April 18 The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star State ‘on the cusp’ of vaccine eligibility for all adults

Governor Northam Approves Landmark Voting Rights Act of Virginia, Acts on State Budget and Remaining Bills from 2021 Special Session

TAKEAWAYS

Learn more about the Voting Rights Act of Virginia “At a time when voting rights are under attack across our country, Virginia is expanding access to the ballot box, not restricting it,” said Governor Northam. “With the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, our Commonwealth is creating a model for how states can provide comprehensive voter protections that strengthen democracy and the integrity of our elections. I am proud to support this historic legislation, and I urge Congress to follow Virginia’s example.” Details of Governor’s action on budget, additional legislation “Throughout this session, we have focused on responding to the ongoing public health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and moving our Commonwealth forward,” said Governor Northam. “These new laws will increase support for Virginia families and businesses, ensure our children and teachers can safely return to classrooms, advance equity, and tackle systemic racism. I am extremely proud of the meaningful progress we have made to enact legislation as unprecedented as the challenges we are facing.”

PRESS

The Washington Post Northam supports Virginia Voting Rights Act, paid sick leave for home health workers and host of other measures at deadline for action The New York Times Virginia, the Old Confederacy’s Heart, Becomes a Voting Rights Bastion Associated Press Northam acts on sweeping voting rights measure, other bills Richmond Times-Dispatch More families with young children may now have access to $1,000 per month for child care in Virginia under new law The Winchester Star Gooditis bill expanding midwifery services signed by Northam NBC News Virginia becomes 12th state to ban gay/trans panic defense The Roanoke Times Gov. Ralph Northam encourages directing coal tax credit savings to UVa-Wise The Virginian-Pilot Police in Virginia can no longer keep all their reports secret forever, thanks to a new law Prince William Times Gov. Ralph Northam moves to allow Prince William County to adopt its own health department The Roanoke Times General Assembly to consider Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposals to alter bills, budget

Governor Northam, U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, Leaders from Amtrak, CSX, and VRE Launch $3.7 Billion Investment to Transform Rail in Virginia

TAKEAWAYS

Details of this announcement “We have an unprecedented opportunity to build a 21st century rail system in Virginia and along the entire East Coast,” said Governor Northam. “This historic initiative will help get people and goods where they need to go more efficiently, reduce congestion and pollution, and create a more inclusive economy. Together with our partners at Amtrak, CSX, and VRE, we are making critical investments that will fundamentally transform our transportation infrastructure, delivering long-term economic benefits for our workers and communities as we rebound from the pandemic and into the future.”

PRESS

Richmond Times-Dispatch Buttigieg joins Northam to seal $3.7 billion deal to expand passenger rail between D.C., Richmond The Washington Post Virginia seals deal for $3.7 billion rail plan, including new Potomac River bridge Bristol Herald Courier Passenger rail agreement has ‘potential’ for Southwest service Associated Press Virginia inks $4 billion deal with Amtrak, CSX to boost rail The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star VRE to expand service to weekends under major transit initiative The Petersburg Progress-Index State plan to expand high-speed rail includes a new corridor from Petersburg to N.C. line National Public Radio Virginia Finalizes $3.7 Billion Deal To Acquire Tracks From CSX The Virginian-Pilot Amtrak’s 3rd daily train between Norfolk and D.C. should begin this year

Governor Northam Proposes Amendments to Marijuana Legislation, Changes Include Moving Legalization Date Up to July 1, 2021

TAKEAWAYS

Details of this announcement “Our Commonwealth is committed to legalizing marijuana in an equitable way,” said Governor Northam. “Virginia will become the 16th state to legalize marijuana—and these changes will ensure we do it with a focus on public safety, public health, and social justice. I am grateful to the advocates and legislators for their dedicated work on this important issue, and I look forward to this legislation passing next month.”

PRESS

The Roanoke Times Northam makes final push to legalize simple possession of marijuana this July Associated Press Virginia governor seeks to accelerate marijuana legalization Richmond Times-Dispatch Northam moves to legalize small amounts of marijuana this summer Virginia Mercury With Northam’s endorsement, Virginia is poised to speed marijuana legalization to July 1 Richmond Times-Dispatch Northam seeks money for marijuana legalization, backs off confrontation with assembly on U.S. aid WJLA.com ‘Issue of equity’: ACLU applauds Gov. Northam’s plan to accelerate marijuana legalization The Washington Post Northam proposes legalizing marijuana in Virginia on July 1 The Virginian-Pilot Marijuana could be legal in Virginia this summer, instead of 2024 as planned

Governor Northam Signs Law Creating Tuition-Free Community College Program for Low- and Middle-Income Virginia Students

TAKEAWAYS

Details of the Governor’s signature ‘Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back’ initiative that will help an estimated 36,000 Virginians earn degrees in high-demand fields “Building an equitable and inclusive economy is more important than ever as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Governor Northam. “The G3 program will connect thousands of Virginians with the skills, training, and resources they need to secure jobs in high-demand fields and support themselves and their families—all without being forced to shoulder mountains of student debt. Tuition-free community college was one of the key issues I ran on during my campaign for governor, and I am thrilled to be delivering on that promise.”

PRESS

Kingsport Times News New state legislation makes career-training programs tuition-free at Va. community colleges Culpeper Star-Exponent Germanna, all Va. 2-year colleges now free for skills-gap studies Washington Business Journal NOVA looks to pull more people into tech fields with Virginia’s new community college funding WTOP.com Northam signs bill funding Va. community-college education costs 13NewsNow.com G3 program provides opportunity at community colleges Richmond Times-Dispatch J. Stephen Jones and Anne M. Kress: G3: Creating a more robust, equitable Virginia economy

In case you missed it...

Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial | Rail deal will go a long way for Virginia WHSV.com Governor announces goal to double Virginia’s farm exports by 2035 The Virginian-Pilot FEMA clinic in Norfolk gets more supply, boosts vaccination capacity to 105,000 people The Petersburg Progress-Index State says problem with Johnson & Johnson vaccine won’t delay move to next round of shots The Roanoke Times Editorial | Legislature should back Northam’s coal tax credit amendment WTOP.com Virginia expands vaccination workforce to keep up with expected demand surge Richmond Times-Dispatch ‘Breakthrough day’ - Va. ends 10-year work requirement for legal immigrants The Franklin News-Post Virginia’s first lady brings praise and encouragement to Rocky Mount Elementary Danville Register & Bee Chatham truck firm’s $5.2 million expansion drives 27 new jobs Virginia Mercury Audit overwhelmingly confirms Virginia’s election results