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VA Governor Touts Economic Record With Warning for GOP

governor's office

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is touting his record of a growing and diversifying state's economy.

But he warned lawmakers that progress could be undermined by socially conservative legislation on abortion and transgender issues.

McAuliffe's remarks came last night evening at the annual State of the Commonwealth, kicking off the start of the 2017 legislative session.

The Democratic governor asked lawmakers to work with him on helping the state become less dependent on federal defense spending.

But said he would veto any legislation that he thought restricted abortion rights or discriminated against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Republicans have already filed bills banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and prohibit individuals from using a bathroom of the opposite sex in government-owned buildings. 

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.