The Virginia House of Delegates today approved the bipartisan conference budget report (71-22) and sent it to Governor Abigail Spanberger for her signature.
The budget makes historic investments in public education, childcare, affordable housing, healthcare, public safety, and workforce development while maintaining Virginia’s strong fiscal foundation and preparing for potential federal funding cuts. The agreement includes nearly $2 billion in new education funding, $577 million for childcare and early childhood education, major investments in public safety, and nearly $1 billion set aside to protect Virginians from federal uncertainty.
“The conference report reflects our commitment to making Virginia more affordable while maintaining the fiscal discipline that has made our Commonwealth a national leader,” said House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian. “This budget lowers costs, strengthens our schools, invests in working families, and prepares Virginia for the challenges ahead without compromising our long-term financial stability.”
“Virginia families sent us here to solve problems, lower costs, and create opportunity — and that’s exactly what this budget does,” said Speaker Don Scott. “From the largest investment in public education in Virginia history to major investments in childcare, affordable housing, healthcare, and public safety, this budget delivers real results for the people of Virginia.”
“The budget proposal passed by the legislature today takes a major step towards delivering accessible healthcare and coverage for Virginians who have been devastated by federal funding cuts,” said Majority Leader Charniele Herring. “Washington has become unpredictable and Virginians are suffering because of it, but this budget ensures Virginians can get the care they need.”
“This budget includes historic investments in education that will improve the experiences of students, teachers, and families across the Commonwealth,” said Caucus Chair Kathy Tran, “By giving teachers raises, funding early childhood education, and investing in school infrastructure, we are setting Virginia’s students up for long-term success.”
You can access the conference report HERE.
Budget Highlights
- Makes Virginia more affordable, more secure, and more prepared for the future.
- Maintains a fiscally responsible, structurally balanced budget in both years while preserving strong reserves.
- Delivers nearly $2 billion in new education funding — the largest investment in public education in Virginia history.
- Invests $577 million in childcare and early childhood education to help working families and strengthen Virginia’s workforce.
- Provides 4% raises for teachers and school support staff and 3.5% raises for state employees in each year of the biennium.
- Continues Virginia’s path to a $15 minimum wage, increasing wages to $13.75 in 2027 and $15 in 2028, while investing $47.7 million to raise wages for state employees, constitutional officers, and home healthcare workers.
- Funds implementation of Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family and Medical Leave, delivering long-overdue protections for Virginia workers.
- Invests $92 million in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and eviction prevention programs.
- Includes $150 million to lower health insurance premiums and nearly $1 billion to protect Virginians from federal funding cuts and economic uncertainty.
- Establishes a Data Center Energy Consumption Fee expected to generate up to $1.2 billion over the biennium, helping protect ratepayers and ensure the industry contributes its fair share.
- Makes major investments in public safety, including Virginia State Police, violence prevention initiatives, victim services, and first responders.
- Establishes a regulated adult-use cannabis market that prioritizes public safety, consumer protection, and accountability.