Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday vetoed a bill that would have brought paid family and medical leave to Virginians. The news comes after Prince William Del. Briana Sewell and state Sen. Jennifer Boysko held an event on in Occoquan March 17 to encourage Youngkin to sign the bill.
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia vetoed a bill on March 20, 2023, that would have established a state-run paid family and medical leave program. The legislation, which had passed both the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate with bipartisan support, aimed to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for reasons such as the birth of a child, serious health conditions, or military exigencies. Youngkin argued that the program would impose a significant financial burden on Virginia's businesses, potentially leading to higher costs for consumers and reduced competitiveness for the state's economy. He expressed concerns about the mandatory nature of the program, suggesting that it would not be voluntary and could negatively impact small businesses. Instead, Youngkin advocated for a more flexible, market-driven approach to family leave that would not mandate participation or impose new taxes.