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Virginia lawmakers set to take up Youngkin's proposed amendments, vetoes in reconvened session

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Virginia lawmakers set to take up Youngkin's proposed amendments, vetoes in reconvened session


RICHMOND, Va. — Gambling regulations, school construction and the state budget were on the agenda for Virginia lawmakers returning to Richmond on Wednesday to consider Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed amendments to legislation and his record number of vetoes.

Democrats who control the General Assembly don’t have the numbers to override Youngkin’s vetoes without GOP support, but their leaders have signaled that they plan to reject many of his proposed changes, including most of those he made to the two-year budget bill. Youngkin’s rewrite of the spending plan — he’s submitted more than 200 amendments — was so extensive, it exceeded the governor’s authority, legislative leaders say.

“If you think of the governor as a surgeon, the Constitution authorizes nips and tucks, but not organ transplants. And his 233 amendments are trying to give the budget a new heart, lungs and kidneys,” said Senate Democratic Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who predicted lawmakers would reject the vast majority of Youngkin’s proposed changes to that bill.

Prior to Wednesday’s so-called reconvened session, Democratic lawmakers spent weeks publicly at odds with the governor over the budget that they sent him in a bipartisan vote on the final day of their regular session.

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Youngkin embarked on a series of public events during which he blasted what he called the “backward budget,” criticizing lawmakers for including a sales tax expansion to digital products that he initially proposed at the start of the process in December but had paired with an income tax cut that Democrats rejected. The governor has said unequivocally that he won’t sign a budget that increases taxes.

Democrats criticized Youngkin for his tour but then launched one of their own to defend their budget plan, which would increase K-12 education spending and pay for teachers and other public workers.

With his budget amendments, the governor has proposed sticking with the tax policy status quo, which required him to also suggest spending cuts and other accounting maneuvers to account for the revenue that would be lost by eliminating the new digital sales tax.

Democratic Del. Luke Torian, who chairs the House of Delegates’ budget-writing committee, signaled in an interview Tuesday that his caucus has no intention of going along with that proposal from the governor.

“The new digital economy (tax), as we call it, is something that’s important to us,” he said.

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Lawmakers’ objections to Youngkin’s budget changes could very well result in a version that he ends up vetoing, something longtime government observers say would be unprecedented.

“My thinking is, we’re just at the beginning of the battle,” said Bob Holsworth, a veteran political analyst and commentator.

The governor has said he hopes to avoid that option, however. He struck an optimistic tone in a statement Tuesday, saying he was encouraged by extensive discussions with legislators from both chambers and both parties.

“Tomorrow is another step towards our destination, which is to pass and sign a common ground budget,” Youngkin said.

Lawmakers will also be working through dozens of other bills Youngkin returned to them with suggested changes, including a heavily lobbied measure dealing with so-called skill games, gambling machines that proliferated in convenience stores and other small businesses around the state before lawmakers passed a ban in 2020.

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This year’s legislation would legalize, regulate and tax the machines, though the changes Youngkin suggested would implement far stricter limits and a higher tax rate than the version the Assembly sent him. Convenience stores around the state staged demonstrations this week, briefly halting lottery ticket sales Monday and closing for an hour on Tuesday, in an effort to draw attention to the issue and urge lawmakers to reject the governor’s amendments.

Surovell said he saw the skill-games bill as one of two that could potentially face a veto override, the other being a measure that would have allowed all localities to hold a referendum on raising sales taxes to help fund school construction. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and has been supported by school officials in red-leaning rural areas.

In remarks Tuesday with reporters, House Speaker Don Scott said he’s gotten calls from school superintendents in southwest Virginia who questioned the veto. Scott also criticized the governor for a proposed amendment that would ban state funding for abortions in cases of severe fetal abnormalities.

Between Youngkin’s proposed amendments and his record number of vetoes — more this year alone than in any of the complete four-year terms of the state’s past seven governors, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project — the governor showed he’s no moderate, Scott said.

“He went after the most vulnerable citizens again,” Scott said. “And so we’re just saying that he’s not a middle-ground, bipartisan governor. He has been an extreme — I call him MAGA-in-disguise — governor,” Scott said, referring to the “Make America Great Again” slogan of former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

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Virginia’s reconvened sessions can last up to 10 days but are typically a single-day affair. Surovell said he expected this year’s work could be completed in one day but he left open the possibility it could go longer.



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How to watch Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech football: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams

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How to watch Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech football: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams


The Syracuse Orange are underdogs on their home field as they face a big ACC matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday at the JWA Wireless Dome. The game is scheduled to start at noon ET with TV coverage on CW Network and streaming on-demand.

  • How to watch: Live streams of the Syracuse v.s Virginia Tech game are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
  • For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $20 off the first month after the free trial period. With $20 offer, plans start at $59.99.

Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3) at Syracuse Orange (5-2)

NCAA football matchup at a glance

When: Saturday, Nov. 2 at noon ET

Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.

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TV channel: CW Network

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)

Syracuse had built momentum with three straight wins before its hot streak came to a sudden halt last week in a 41-13 road loss to No. 19 Pittsburgh. Quarterback Kyle McCord threw five interceptions in that one, including three pick-sixes that made life easy on his opponents. For the season, Syracuse has been content to live and die by McCord’s right arm, ranking No. 3 nationally in passing (358.9 ypg) and No. 127 in rushing (90.3 ypg).

Virginia Tech is playing its best football of the season going into Week 10 with three straight wins over ACC competition in Stanford (31-7), Boston College (42-21) and, most recently, Georgia Tech (21-6). In that win over the Yellow Jackets, quarterback Kyron Drones did it all with touchdowns scored passing, rushing and receiving. The Hokies were outgained by Georgia Tech, but their defense forced two interceptions to sweep the turnover battle (2-0).

Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Know your live streaming options

  • FuboTV (free trial)excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $59.99 after current $20 discount offer.
  • SlingTV (low intro rate) discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV
  • DirecTV Stream (free trial) not the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, but the standard 7-day free trial is still the longest in streaming.

The Hokies and Orange are set for a noon ET start on FS1. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).



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Trump to rally with Youngkin, Cao in Virginia as Harris takes lead in polls

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Trump to rally with Youngkin, Cao in Virginia as Harris takes lead in polls


Former President Donald Trump is set to deliver remarks at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday, joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senate candidate Hung Cao.

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City officials are advising attendees to be prepared for increased congestion, particularly near the Taliaferro Complex.

Event details indicate that everything will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will open at 8 a.m., with doors opening at noon. 

Pre-programming for the event will begin at 2 p.m., and Trump is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. 

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Attendees are encouraged to arrive no later than 1 p.m.

According to the Salem Civic Center, the Trump campaign managed the ticketing for the event. Participants must have a ticket for entry, as the exact number of tickets distributed is unknown. 

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TOPSHOT – Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dances as he leaves a campaign rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on October 30, 2024. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Entry will also be on a first-come, first-served basis.

This rally comes as new polling from Roanoke College shows Vice President Kamala Harris with a significant lead in Virginia. 

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The Roanoke College Poll indicates Harris holds a 10-point advantage over Trump, with 51% of likely voters supporting her compared to 41% for the former president.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine is leading Hung Cao by 11 points. According to the poll, only 2% of likely voters are undecided, while 40% have already cast their ballots.

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Dr. Harry Wilson, a senior political analyst for The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research (IPOR) at Roanoke College, commented on the polling results: “Kamala Harris has increased the slim lead she held in the August Roanoke College Poll. She is claiming 95% of Democrats and leads 49%-36% among independents. Trump is supported by 90% of Republicans, but that might not be enough for him to win in Virginia.”

With the election approaching and early voting already in progress, both parties are ramping up their efforts to mobilize supporters ahead of Election Day.

The Roanoke College Poll surveyed 851 likely registered voters in Virginia between October 25 and October 29. 

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Road closures and traffic alerts

  • PLEASE OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DIRECTIONS
  • Please be patient as vehicle traffic and attendees make their way to the arena.
  • Please avoid the area if you are not attending the rally Saturday afternoon.
  • Expect delays on Roanoke Boulevard as traffic will enter one way and exit another.
  • No parking will be allowed on Roanoke Boulevard from Electric Road to Texas Street.
  • No parking on Texas Street from Roanoke Boulevard to Lynchburg Turnpike

What to know before you go

  • NO BAGS, PURSES, or CAMERAS ALLOWED.
  • No Tailgating – No Camping – No vendors or sellers will be allowed
  • RVs and Overnight Parking are PROHIBITED.
  • Food and Beverage will be available at our indoor concession stands.
  • We encourage guests to carpool.
  • Please Park in a single space.
  • No EZ-UP Popup tents in parking spaces.
  • All drive aisles must remain clear for emergency vehicles.
  • All guests will be screened by the secret service.
  • No reentry to the arena.
  • No smoking sections.
  • Can you bring a chair to wait in line? Yes but only outside. Chairs will not be allowed in the building.
  • Will there be porta-potties outside? Yes.

US Secret Service prohibited items list 

  • Aerosols
  • No bags or purses
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Appliances (i.e. Toasters)
  • Balloons
  • Balls
  • Banners, signs, placards
  • Chairs
  • Coolers
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
  • E-Cigarettes/ VAPES / lighters
  • Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
  • Firearms
  • Glass, thermal and metal containers
  • Laser lights and laser pointers
  • Mace and/or pepper spray
  • Noisemakers, such as air horns, whistles, drums, bullhorns, etc.
  • Packages
  • Poles, sticks and selfie sticks
  • Spray containers
  • Structures
  • Supports for signs or placards
  • Tripods
  • Umbrellas
  • Weapons
  • And any other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event



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Syracuse football: predictions and poll vs Virginia Tech

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Syracuse football: predictions and poll vs Virginia Tech


The Syracuse Orange (5-2, 2-2) welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3, 3-1) for the first game in the JMA Dome since September. What will happen when these longtime rivals collide at Noon on the CW? Here’s what we think….

Kevin: Syracuse 31, Virginia Tech 27

There’s no glossing over what happened last week in Pittsburgh, but I trust that Kyle McCord and the offense will make some plays tomorrow. I also trust that Marlowe Wax’s return gives the Orange three defenders who can contain Kyron Drones on the edge. Wax, Justin Barron and Fadil Diggs will keep the Hokies’ quarterback from using his legs to beat the Orange. I think the defense creates two turnovers putting the offense in short field situations and Trebor Pena finds his way into the end zone twice in this one.

Dom: Syracuse 35, Virginia Tech 28

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Without a doubt the toughest game to predict all year. I would’ve said Syracuse would be the clear favorite weeks ago. Then the Pitt game happened, and now Virginia Tech is entering the Dome with its hottest stretch of the season so far. I went back-and-forth on this one, and Virginia Tech’s big strengths (running the ball and toughness on the defensive line) will be a headache to deal with, but a strong home environment and a bounce back performance from the offense lead to a win in a shootout.

Mike: Syracuse 37, Virginia Tech 31

The Hokies are hot at the right time and this should be down to the wire much like several games have been already, but with the right scheming the Orange can squeeze this one out. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is a beast no question, so it’s important to work as many plays to the weak side as possible. The VT secondary is better than the inflated stats from Miami and Rutgers can show, so McCord needs to stay calm, work underneath and wear them down. Pitt had a lot of season worst performances and this is a perfect bounce back environment.

Max (5-2): Virginia Tech 30, Syracuse 24

These teams are going in opposite directions coming into this one, with Tech on a three-game win streak and the Orange getting demolished by Pitt. I had high hopes for Syracuse last week, but after ripping my heart out, I can’t back them here, even at home. The Hokies have played some of the toughest opponents in the nation (19th in SOS compared to SU’s 74th), and their balanced offensive scheme will get them the win on Saturday.

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Now it’s your turn…

Poll

Who wins the game between Syracuse and Virginia Tech?

  • 0%
    Syracuse wins and let’s go bowling

    (0 votes)

  • 0%
    Virginia Tech wins and good thing it’s basketball season

    (0 votes)



0 votes total

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