RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--Signs of a partial state government shutdown are showing, that’s because without debate, Senate Democrats are turning down every budget proposal that comes their way.
“I will not vote on this budget,” says Democratic senator, L. Louise Lucas. Democrats like Lucas say they’re upset about controversial conservative legislation making its way through the senate, like ultrasound mandates and the one-handgun a month repeal. Democratic Senator, Richard Saslaw says Republicans are showing no regard for Democrats.
“I’ve never imagined you could generate so many anti-abortion bills. I mean, it’s unbelievable. Forty gun bills, forty gun bills were put in by this crew. Forty gun bills,” says Saslaw.
Democrats say they will not pass a budget until even more money is allocated for public education and Republicans agree to treat them as equals.
“Twenty on their side doesn’t give them more power than twenty on the left,” says Senator Lucas.
Until the two sides negotiate, a lot will be left at stake, like the salaries of police officers, money to operate hospitals as well as prisons and funding for local governments.
“We have reached out to them and worked with them,” says Republican Senator, John Watkins.
Republican Senator Tom Garrett tells CBS 6, “Everybody in Virginia, every city and county in town is in a holding pattern because twenty people want to act like they’re in Washington,D.C. That’s not how we’ve done business and it’s not the way we should do business.”
