Lawmakers race against the clock to reach agreements on key legislation

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia General Assembly is racing against the clock.

That’s because lawmakers have until Saturday to come up with compromises after the House and Senate passed different versions of the same legislation on several key issues. 

While refusing to provide specifics, Democratic Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Henrico) said lawmakers have agreed to a deal on legislation to create a retail market for the sale of recreational marijuana. 

“We have final language that will be finalized by legislative services,” Aird told 8News. 

Among other differences, the House originally wanted a Nov. 1 start date for sales, while the Senate wanted a Jan. 1 start date. 

“We’ll have a bill to vote on before we adjourn,” said Aird, who wrote the original Senate version of the bill. 

Meanwhile, Republican Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) said that while he’ll vote against creating a retail market, any compromise must include measures to dismantle the illegal marketplace. 

“It should also have the ability to enforce and make sure that individuals are only buying those drugs that are produced in a secure and regulated manner, not the illicit market,” McDougle told 8News.

On paid family and medical leave, Democratic Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William) said lawmakers will reach a compromise on legislation that would give qualified Virginians paid time off if they have a baby, have a serious health condition or need to care for certain sick loved ones. 

“There will be a paid family and medical leave bill that makes it to our governor's desk and will be signed into law,” Sewell told 8News.

Meanwhile, McDougle said because the program would be funded by employers and their employees, he hopes Democrats don’t reach an agreement on paid family and medical leave, but if they do, he says it needs to include state workers.  

“It is a tax on every employee, so I hope that every employee is not gonna be taxed,” McDougle said.

“We should not do policies that only negatively impact Virginians, but don’t impact negatively state government,” McDougle added. 

Any agreements would need to be finalized and pass both chambers before the scheduled end of session on Saturday.