Youngkin vetoes multiple bills, including drug affordability board

Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed several significant bills in Virginia, including for the second consecutive year, legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. This board would have enabled health experts to set limits on drug prices, a measure that received broad support from voters but faced opposition from Youngkin, who argued it could hinder innovation and access to treatments. Additionally, Youngkin vetoed a bill aimed at raising Virginia's minimum wage from $12.41 to $13.50 by 2026, with critics asserting that his decision exacerbates economic challenges for working families. Other vetoed measures included one that would have allowed localities to impose a sales tax surcharge to fund school construction and a bill that would allow individuals with mental illness to use their condition as a defense in felony assault cases. The governor's actions have drawn criticism from Democrats and advocates who argue that they prioritize pharmaceutical profits and business interests over the needs of Virginia families. Overall, Youngkin's vetoes signal a continued divide in the Virginia legislature, where Democrats hold a slim majority but struggle to override gubernatorial decisions.