RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia House Democratic Caucus released the following statement after voting to accept 14 amendments to the 2027/2028 budget offered by Governor Spanberger:
“The Virginia House Democratic Caucus thanks House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian, Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair L. Louise Lucas, and Governor Spanberger for their leadership and collaboration in delivering this budget.
“This budget delivers meaningful, targeted investments that lower costs where Virginians feel them most—housing, energy, healthcare, and childcare. It also includes the largest investment in public education in Virginia history, safeguards against future federal funding cuts, puts Virginia on the path to a $15 minimum wage by 2028, provides significant tax relief, and makes strategic investments to strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.
“This budget makes Virginia more affordable, more secure, and more prepared for the future, and Virginia House Democrats look forward to seeing these investments improve the lives of Virginians across the Commonwealth.”v
Key highlights of the proposed FY2027/2028 budget include:
- 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.
- Invests $20 million to eradicate sickle cell disease.
- 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.