Virginia's Gold Standard: House Passes Alternative Currency Study Funding

A measure to study setting up an alternative metallic-based currency for Virginia is now in front of the state Senate after approval from the House of Delegates on Monday.

The measure, with more than $17,000 in funding introduced by local Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas), "shall consider recommendations for legislation, with respect to the need, means, and schedule for establishing a metallic-based monetary unit to serve as a contingency currency for the Commonwealth," according to the bill. 

The House voted, 65-32, for the study of a metallic-based monetary unit in the event the U.S. dollar crumbles. 

Del. Charniele Herring, who represents much of Alexandria's West End, voted against the measure. Del. Rob Krupicka, who represents the eastern half of Alexandria City voted 'no,' and Del. Kaye Kory, who represents much of Annandale, voted 'no.'

Del. Mark Sickles, who represents the area just south of the city of Alexandria, told the Washington Post earlier this month he was concerned about the cost and purpose. 

“It can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Are we seriously going to spend taxpayer resources studying a replacement to the world’s backbone currency? Are we descending into la la land?” Sickles asked.

The bill sets the maximum cost of the committee's work at $17,440.

What do you think of the proposal for a Virginia currency?  Tell us in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

See how your representative voted:

YEAS--Albo, Anderson, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Byron, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Dudenhefer, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Habeeb, Head, Helsel, Hodges, Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Kilgore, Knight, Landes, LeMunyon, Lingamfelter, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, Merricks, Miller, Minchew, Morefield, Morris, O'Bannon, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Pogge, Poindexter, Purkey, Putney, Ramadan, Ransone, Robinson, Rush, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Stolle, Tata, Villanueva, Ware, R.L., Watson, Webert, Wilt, Yancey, Yost, Mr. Speaker--65.

NAYS--BaCote, Brink, Bulova, Carr, Comstock, Dance, Filler-Corn, Herring, Hester, Hope, Howell, A.T., James, Keam, Kory, Krupicka, Lewis, Lopez, Massie, McClellan, McQuinn, Morrissey, Plum, Rust, Scott, J.M., Sickles, Surovell, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O., Watts--32.

ABSTENTIONS--0.

NOT VOTING--Crockett-Stark, Spruill, Wright--3.