RICHMOND, Va. -- The arrest of University of Virginia student Martese Johnson, and subsequent executive order detailing changes to the arresting agency, was just one of the topics Governor Terry McAuliffe discussed this morning on WRVA’s "Ask the Governor" radio program.
He also discussed the controversial gas pipeline, the state budget, pay raises for state workers and teachers and he made history by vetoing bills on air.
The governor talked about steps he's taken to address the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. While the investigation moves forward, the governor’s order is intended to take immediate, proactive steps to address “broader concerns.”
The steps include immediate retraining of ABC special agents on use of force, the bureau of law enforcement will now report to the ABC Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security will step in for a panel review, and the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement has been tasked to collaborate more with local law enforcement agencies.
He also talked about his controversial support of the 550-mile natural gas pipeline that will go through three states including Virginia.
He admitted he's lost allies in environmental groups, but at the same time, talked about how Virginia can be on the forefront of the future of energy by investing in solar and wind power; something that can create jobs as well, he said.
As part of a package he negotiated, Dominion Virginia Power is investing 700-million dollars in advancing solar power initiatives.
The governor talked about signing the budget into law Thursday afternoon. The spending plan includes a 1.5 percent pay raise for teachers
and 100,000 other state workers -- including Virginia State Troopers -- will also get a two percent pay increase.
The governor got fired up when talking about how lawmakers came together to pass the budget
“What do you need, what do I need? And you know what? We got it done. Voters wanted it. They're sick and tired of the bickering. I want to be number one in job growth,” the governor exclaimed.
And then in a historic first, McAuliffe vetoed bills live on the program. He called the six redistricting bills he was vetoing unconstitutional.
They were proposed changes to redraw legislative voting lines outside of the mandated every 10-year process.
