I must take umbrage with the Republican majority of the General Assembly and its leadership. Once again, this partisan body of legislators has shown that it is more concerned with wasting taxpayers’ dollars in a frivolous lawsuit against Gov. Terry McAuliffe over restoration of voting rights for more than 200,000 individuals rather than providing for the medical care of 400,000 families in the Commonwealth.

During the 2016 General Assembly session, six bills were introduced calling for an amendment to the Virginia Constitution allowing for the immediate restoration of civil rights for felons upon completion of all legal requirements. In fact, one of the bills was introduced by a Republican which would have granted the same effect. The Republican leadership in the General Assembly voted to defeat each bill.

It was because of this shameful irresponsible action on their part that the governor found it necessary to exercise his executive privilege. The sad thing is that these are the same ill-principled legislators who are presently squandering taxpayer money by challenging the current court-ordered redistricting mandate.

The Republican leadership in the General Assembly needs to cease their tireless efforts to deny and restrict folks of the right to vote in Virginia. They need to use that same energy in the expansion of Medicaid, better services for schools, developing truly affordable housing for low-income residents and creating a real, level bidding field for small, minority and women-owned businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

RODNEY B. THOMAS

Richmond