When all the keys to the kingdom in Virginia were turned over to the Democrats last November, it looked like the commonwealth’s long status as a right-to-work state was in grave danger – at a minimum for government employees. We were worried that Virginia would become the first forced-union state in the South (see map).

Since right-to-work states create nearly twice as many jobs as forced-union states, repeal would be an economic setback for VA.

But as new Governor Abigail Spanberger tries to pull out of her political tailspin because of her sprint to the left, she’s playing good cop now.  After the legislature rejected her proposed changes in a bill allowing over 500,000 public employees and home health workers to unionize, she summoned the courage to veto the entire legislation.

Congrats to our friend Mark Mix, head of the National Right to Work Committee, whose group did yeoman’s work to preserve worker rights and save right to work in Virginia – for now.

Right To Work States (in blue):