No vote this week on legislative fix for military survivor benefit program

Full Senate adopts resolution commemorating life of Melvin Eugene Walker

On Tuesday, June 18, the Virginia General Assembly was to have resumed a special session to take up legislation to fix changes to the Virginia Military Survivor and Dependent Education Program.

Changes to the state code made in the adoption of the state budget has added restrictions on the use of the program, which provides tuition assistance to family members of slain military personnel.

However, Senator Louise Lucas opted instead to take a different path as she explained as chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. 

“Today we came back to find a long-term viable solution for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program,” Lucas said. “This program is important for those families and students that it serves but I also want to ensure that the program is financially sustainable.”

According to a June 11, 2024 Virginian-Pilot article posted to the military publication Stars and Stripes, the changes were to have put in place by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV) to ease the financial burden on insitutions.

Both Senator Bryce Reeves (R-28) and Delegate Luke Torrian (D-24) had filed legislation for the special session that would have stripped the new restrictions and qualifications that had been added, prompting an outcry. drew an outcry from many. (HB6003) (SB6003)

Lucas said issues should be studied further to avoid unintended consequences to the program. She announced both the creation of a special select work group and a request for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to do an expedited review. The work group will consist of Barbara Favola (D-40), Jeremy McPike (D-29), Danica Roem (D-30), Reeves, and Bill DeSteph (R-20). 

“I expect to work in a collaborative fashion with all Senators to come up with a more eloquent solution in the coming weeks,” Lucas said. 

The first meeting is anticipated to take place on June 28.

In addition, Lucas said other bills introduced for this special session would not be docketed such as SB6004 which would have come up with a framework for how skills-games might be allowed to become legal again. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a statement several hours later.

“I stand with our military heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP by fully repealing the language, and addressing this in the full light of day,” Youngkin wrote. 

The committee did use their time to go through SB6005, an appropriations bill.

Commemorating Mel Walker

The full Senate did approve several resolutions commemorating people, including the late Mel Walker introduced by Senator Creigh Deeds (D-11). (read the resolution) 

“Melvin Walker served every delicious meal with a positive attitude and a heartfelt smile, and he cultivated deep ties with the University of Virginia and other local institutions to enhance community life on Main Street and throughout the city,” reads one paragraph.

“Melvin Walker was a beacon of hope in the community, hiring many individuals who faced challenges finding employment elsewhere and offering his wealth of experience and expertise to young entrepreneurs to ensure their success,” reads another.

“The Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Melvin Eugene Walker, owner of Mel’s Cafe and a pillar of the Charlottesville community,” reads one closer to the end. 

On June 21, Delegate Katrina Callsen introduced a similar resolution in the House of Delegates. (view the legislation)

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is originally from the June 19, 2024 edition of the newsletter. Another hour or so was spent on June 22 to update it with new information and to improve on the first draft. To ensure this sort of work can keep going well into the future, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.