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Amid Coronavirus Fears and Circled by Protestors, Virginia's General Assembly Meets

Mallory Noe-Payne/Radio IQ

A surreal scene at the state capitol Wednesday: Almost 100 members of Virginia’s House of Delegates met outside under a giant tent for their one day veto session, amid fears about COVID-19 and with social distancing in effect.

Sitting at socially distanced tables, many with masks, the Delegates got to work against the backdrop of a sunny day and an incessant chorus of car horns from a parade of protestors upset with the governor's

Credit Mallory Noe-Payne/Radio IQ
Some of the protest vehicles around Capitol Square.

restrictions on businesses and gatherings.

Beginning the proceedings, Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn says crises like the Spanish Flu and World Wars haven’t stopped the General Assembly before.  “Nor will the pandemic of today thwart our work to do the people’s business,”   Filler-Corn said.

Even still, Filler-Corn pushed a change in the rules of the 400 year old institution that would have allowed them to meet electronically. The effort didn’t muster the two-thirds support needed to make that happen. Republican Delegate Todd Gilbert was one of those opposed.  “What if the technology doesn’t work? What if this goes down, what if this doesn’t work," Gilbert wondered.  "How do I do my constitutional duty if I can’t access the session appropriately? If I can’t engage in debate?"

So they plugged on in-person, voting to extend foreclosure and rent relief to people impacted by COVID-19, postpone a raise in the minimum wage, and create a COVID-19 relief fund.

One amendment they couldn't agree on: moving Virginia's municipal elections from May to November.  The House approved the governor's proposal to move the election, but the Senate did not.  So, for now, the  election will happen on May 5th.  Elections officials have encouraged voters to use absentee ballots.

Another surprising moment in an unusual day: Late in the afternoon Speaker Eileen-Filler got dizzy and fell behind the podium. She wasn’t hurt, and continued to preside while seated.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.
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