Virginia Republicans Broke Into Governor's Office To Block State's Medicaid Expansion
Channel: News20
Date: 2014-06-27

Virginia Republicans Broke Into Governor's Office To Block State's Medicaid Expansion


On June 15, without the permission of administration officials or the Virginia State Police, House Speaker William J. Howell (R) enlisted the Capitol Police and clerks from the office of the House of Delegates to break into Gov. Terry McAuliffe's (D) secure office suite to deliver the state budget when the governor was not around.

The break-in was part of an ongoing effort by Virginia Republicans to block McAuliffe's promise to expand Medicaid in the state.

The state budget, which has served as the center point of the political battle, contained several contentious provisions barring McAuliffe from expanding the health care program.

Howell decided to have the state budget delivered to McAuliffe's office on Father's Day, ahead of the document's expected delivery frame, even though the governor's staff made clear no one was around.

Since the governor is bound by a seven-day window to sign or veto the legislature's budget, the plan's delivery may shorten the amount of time the governor has to review the legislation.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports:

    Administration officials said the House had told them not to expect the budget before early last week. When representatives of the House contacted the administration that Sunday, Father's Day, House emissaries were informed that nobody would be present at the offices to receive the document. Howell had the budget delivered anyway, and an email was sent about 15 minutes later informing the administration that it had been left at the office, which is on the third floor of the Patrick Henry Building.
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Virginia Republicans Broke Into Governor's Office To Block State's Medicaid Expansion

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