Making History - The State Budget

Sometimes what you learn in civics class about how the government is supposed to work doesn’t seem to match up with the reality of policy making you see play out in the news. Particularly at the national level.

 

When asked why I decided to run for the state legislature I often tell people that I fell in love with the law making process when I went to work for my predecessor Jim Scott back in 1992. The thing I loved about it was that it actually worked the way you imagined it would in a 4th grade government class, or watching the story of “Bill” on School House Rock.

 

Last year I got a visit from a class of 5th grade students from Falls Church City who were engaged with a “write our own law” project. Their project: find a way to spend more time learning outside. Thanks to their advocacy and Governor Spanberger’s signing of our biennial budget, they’ve succeeded and we’re going to make that happen.

 

They came to Richmond to lobby me and other legislators, prepared talking points for me to use in testimony before the budget committee, and as a result, we now have a $100,000 grant program for school systems to create outdoor learning spaces. And that’s just a fraction of new education funding that Virginians will receive over the course of these next two years. Teachers can expect to receive a 4% pay increase per year (from 2026 to 2028), with state employees receiving 3.5% raises.

 

An Overall Historic Budget

 

This budget is historic: it allocates almost $2 billion to our education system, which currently stands as the biggest investment into Virginia’s public education and children since its founding. This includes specific funding for special education students and English learners. As a Virginian, I serve to protect and uplift young learners and will continue to do so in the face of Republican opposition and malpractice.

 

Higher education will also receive economic aid, as we’ve allocated $346 million over our previous baseline to facilitate operations and reduce tuition costs for undergraduates.

I am proud to support this investment in higher education not only because it makes students’ lives easier, but because it works towards an academic culture that protects young learners against political attacks. Young Virginians must be provided learning spaces which protect their freedom and intellectual curiosity. And this budget is going to help make that happen.

 

Over the past few years, we’ve experienced rapid healthcare cuts by a Republican Congress and President Trump. With the aid of data center consumption taxes, Virginia will provide $150 million to help those who will experience economic hardship first.

 

While my district in Falls Church and Fairfax county isn’t impact as heavily as our neighbors in rural Virginia, I am extremely proud of the work we did to cushion the blow delivered by the HR 1 (The Big . . . I’m going to go with UGLY . . . Bill) to patients and health care facilities dependent on Medicaid. This budget invests $350 million in a Medicaid Emergency fund to backfill some of the money that disappeared from the system. We’ve got to do everything we can to offset the effects of those MAGA lawmakers who are working to dismantle our national health insurance benefits. They do not have our best interests at heart.

 

The biennial budget also addresses homelessness prevention, eviction, and skyrocketing housing prices. We’re investing over $90 million in affordable housing options, homeless services, and eviction prevention programs. This means more resources all over: stabilizing workers, building new homes, and protecting families from separation. This means affordability in a very real and tangible way.

 

Then there’s the marijuana question: what’s happening and how does it affect Virginia? This budget has helped facilitate a smart solution to adult-use cannabis markets that are research-driven and informed.

 

Dispensaries are state-regulated and prioritize the safety of all Virginians - especially children. Academics have proven over decades that more government oversight on marijuana means kids have less access to cannabis on the streets.

 

This is a system which also protects consumers, fosters accountability, and contributes to our state earnings. With the help of this Democrat-driven budget, we’ve given adults a place to safely purchase cannabis, as is protected by Virginia law.

 

This budget is a culmination of everything that Virginians represent. Compassion and courage in the face of adversity, protection of children and families, and continued support for front-line workers. I like the direction we’re moving in. And I’m excited for what these next two years bring to Virginia.

The story of Virginia

The story of Virginia cannot be told without the voices, leadership, and resilience of Black Virginians. Their contributions have helped build our Commonwealth and move our nation forward. This is a time to celebrate that legacy, but also to acknowledge that meaningful progress requires honest reflection and continued action to expand opportunity and justice.

That same sense of responsibility—to honor the past while doing the work of the present—has been on full display at the Capitol. Last week marked the final stretch before crossover, the halfway point of the legislative session, when the pace quickens and the days grow longer. Extended House floor sessions and marathon committee meetings are part of this moment, ensuring that every bill receives the careful hearing, debate, and vote it deserves. As hundreds of proposals move forward, our focus remains steady: advancing legislation that delivers real, tangible results for families, workers, and communities across Virginia.

Transparency & Efficiency

Transparency and efficiency remain central to our work. Several bills this session are designed to protect consumers and make public and private systems work more clearly and fairly. HB 484 stops insurers from using automated tools to reduce medical claims unfairly, ensuring patients and providers receive the coverage they are owed. HB 618 improves how health plan information is collected and reported so it is easier for the public and regulators to access. HB 676 allows providers to submit information electronically while requiring insurers to offer payment options without extra fees. In housing, HB 616 and HB 1325 require landlords to provide clear, itemized statements, written leases, and a summary of tenant rights, including disclosures about fees and flood risk.

Affordability

Affordability continues to be a major priority. HB 519 treats air conditioning as an essential service in rental housing, protecting tenants during extreme heat. HB 625 caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, while HB 837 expands eviction diversion programs and ensures tenants know about available rental assistance. HB 1005 requires landlords to accept common payment methods and limits extra fees for maintenance. HB 1078 prevents large landlords from denying applicants based on old eviction records. HB 1093 limits excessive attorney fees when tenants pay overdue rent before court, HB 1214 lowers the monthly insulin cap to $35, and HB 1408 protects survivors of family abuse from eviction penalties. These measures make daily life more manageable for Virginians and ensure that fairness guides our laws.

Economic & Social Justice

The House has also advanced a slate of bills on public safety, civil rights, and economic fairness, now under consideration in the Senate. Economic and environmental justice legislation includes HB 1, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028; HB 4, allowing localities to preserve affordable housing; HB 397, preparing Virginia to re-enter RGGI to combat climate change; and HB 449, giving Virginians the tools to hold powerful companies accountable through class action lawsuits.

Public Safety

Gun violence prevention remains a top priority. HB 21 creates civil accountability for firearm manufacturers. My HB 40 to ban ghost guns once again passed the House. HB 93 prevents illegal firearms from reaching domestic abusers. HB 217 prohibits assault weapons, HB 229 bars firearms in hospitals that provide mental health services, and HB 871 requires safe firearm storage in homes with minors or prohibited individuals. Together, these measures make our communities safer while respecting lawful gun ownership.

Redistricting

With the Governor’s signature on the enabling legislation, the approval of funding in the budget, and the election calendar now finalized, the mid-decade redistricting process is officially underway. The legal framework and resources are now in place to implement the updated congressional district maps, and the timelines for the April 21st election have been set so voters can plan accordingly. Our focus now shifts to executing this process smoothly and transparently to ensure voters have clear information and confidence in the updated congressional districts and upcoming election schedule.

Championing the issues that matter the most to my constituents means showing up, standing up, and lifting up the voices of all our neighbors. It means advancing policies that improve lives, build trust, and create opportunities. Together, we can make Virginia a Commonwealth that works for everyone. And the legislation that is advancing this session is designed to do just that.