Current:Home > InvestVirginia Senate takes no action on move to repeal military tuition program restrictions -Visionary Wealth Guides
Virginia Senate takes no action on move to repeal military tuition program restrictions
View
Date:2025-04-17 12:28:46
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate has failed for a second time to eliminate new restrictions on a state program that offers free college tuition at state schools for families of veterans who were killed or seriously disabled while on active duty.
The state House of Delegates voted unanimously last week to repeal restrictions to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program that had been placed in the state’s annual budget earlier this year.
Over the past five years, enrollment in the program jumped from 1,385 students to 6,107, increasing the cost for Virginia’s state colleges from $12 million to $65 million. To rein in those costs, the budget deal passed in May restricted eligibility to associate and undergraduate degrees, required participants to apply for other forms of financial aid, and tightened residency requirements.
The Senate, which has reconvened twice in the past two weeks to work on the issue, ended its session Monday without taking any action. Democrats on the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee failed to vote on the repeal bill passed by the House, saying it was constitutionally flawed, The Washington Post reported. Democrats on the panel also advanced a similar measure, but that legislation did not get a floor vote after Republican senators blocked a plan to fast-track it.
Republicans and Democrats accused each other of playing politics with an issue that has angered military families.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said he and Senate Finance Committee Chairwoman L. Louise Lucas met privately for hours with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier Monday but could not reach an agreement on any of their proposals.
“He wanted full repeal and taxpayers cover the cost and we’ll talk about it in January. … He just basically said, ‘Trust me,’” Surovell said. “There’s not a whole lot of trust there right now.”
Youngkin criticized Democrats for not taking action in the Senate, like the House did. Both chambers are narrowly controlled by Democrats.
“Senate Democrat leadership is hurting our military heroes, first responders and their families every time they show up and do nothing, as well as wasting time and taxpayer money,” Youngkin said in a statement.
The governor said he would order the House and Senate to come back to Richmond if they do not come up with a fix.
veryGood! (93126)
Related
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Fanatics amends lawsuit against Marvin Harrison Jr. to include Harrison Sr.
- A ban on outdoor burning is set in 7 Mississippi counties during dry conditions
- Ranking the 10 toughest college football schedules starting with Florida, USC
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Opening day of Burning Man marred by woman's death, harsh weather conditions
- Nationals' Dylan Crews makes MLB debut on LSU teammate Paul Skenes' heels
- Judge accepts insanity plea from man who attacked Virginia congressman’s office with bat
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- 'Gossip Girl' actor Ed Westwick marries 'Supergirl' star Amy Jackson in Italy
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Brooke Shields Cries After Dropping Off Daughter Grier at College
- First rioter to enter Capitol during Jan. 6 attack is sentenced to over 4 years in prison
- RHOC's Vicki Gunvalson Details Memory Loss From Deadly Health Scare That Nearly Killed Her
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- It’s official, the census says: Gay male couples like San Francisco. Lesbians like the Berkshires
- Pennsylvania museum to sell painting in settlement with heirs of Jewish family that fled the Nazis
- US Open Tennis Tournament 2024 Packing Guide: $5.99 Stadium-Approved Must-Haves to Beat the Heat
Recommendation
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
US consumer confidence rises in August as Americans’ optimism about future improves
Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help
Ex-gang leader accused of killing Tupac Shakur won’t be released on bond, judge rules
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
New Hampshire resident dies after testing positive for mosquito-borne encephalitis virus
Is it OK to lie to your friends to make them arrive on time? Why one TikTok went wild
Michigan golf club repays pandemic loan after lawsuit challenges eligibility