VA Governor McAuliffe tweaks state budget, upsetting Republicans

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has a made final changes to the state budget state lawmakers approved earlier this year, upsetting Republicans with a pro-labor tweak and push to expand Medicaid.

McAuliffe vetoed a section of the budget Friday that the General Assembly passed related to public-private transportation projects.

The Democratic governor said the bill as written “could preclude” unionized construction contractors from taking part in public-private transportation projects, which are frequently used in Virginia.

Republicans said the vetoed language only sought to make sure that non-unionized companies weren’t unfairly excluded from those types of projects.

House Speaker William Howell also said the governor’s attempt to veto a section of the budget prohibiting him from expanding Medicaid is unlawful.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (PHOTO: WMAL Archives)

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