Free Republic

A Virginia state senator is set to resign on Monday after cutting a deal with Republicans, a stunning move that gives the state GOP the upper hand in an ongoing fight over the state's budget and an expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Democratic state Sen. Phillip Puckett will step down on Monday, news first reported by The Washington Post. According to the report, Puckett's resignation leads the way for him to get a job as deputy director of the state tobacco commission and for his daughter to be confirmed for a state judgeship. It also...

How could Democratic state Sen. Phil Puckett's resignation move the budget and Medicaid impasse? Counting noses, it means what was a 23-17 Senate majority (20 Democrats, three Republicans) for a budget that includes a provision for tapping Affordable Care Act dollars to extend health insurance for low income Virginians now stands at 22-17. But it also means what was a 20-20 split, with Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam a tie-breaker on everything except the budget, is now a 20-19 GOP majority. So, look for movement this week to bring the state Senate back into session (it takes nine to call...