| Related Coverage |
|
|
Virginia Senate Democrats are considering suing Senate Republicans after the GOP lawmakers claimed they have outright control of the Senate even though both parties control 20 of the 40 seats.
At issue is whether Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who presides over the Senate, has the authority to break all tie votes, including matters related to committee organization. Following the Nov. 8 elections, in which the GOP gained two Senate seats to force the tie, Bolling adamantly stated that Republicans would rule the chamber as if they have a majority.
But the state constitution is hazy over whether that’s allowable, and Democrats are asking a court to rule whether a lieutenant governor’s power to break tie votes also applies to non-legislative issues, like judgeships, the budget and committee organization. A timetable for the suit was not available.
“Republicans are showing us right now that their number one priority is the accumulation and exercise of political power for their own benefit,” said newly elected Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Donald McEachin, D-Henrico.
Democrats are also taking issue with Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, who told The Virginia Gazette he plans to take up redistricting again when the General Assembly meets in January. Lawmakers redrew legislative boundaries this year, a constitutionally mandated, once-a-decade process.
Senate Democrats likely survived further statehouse losses on election night because they drew election districts beneficial to their party. It’s rare, and often politically volatile, for maps to be redrawn more that once every 10 years.
