Bright New Beginnings for 2025
Our budget challenges this year are driven by continuing needs to keep our highly rated schools funded. Schools are seeing increased needs that are not being met by the state, as was recently highlighted in a state study identifying that we should receive at least $600M more from Virginia.
Reporting from Richmond
Greetings from a very chilly and busy week down here in Richmond at the General Assembly. While today (Wednesday) is only the third day we have had legislative business in the Capitol due to last week’s water crisis, today still counts as the eighth day of session, so we have a lot to catch up on in a very short amount of time!
Virginia Legislature Begins Work
One of the more bizarre starts ever
The first week of the 2025 regular session of the General Assembly which began on Jan. 7 was one of the more bizarre starts I have ever experienced.
My 2025 Legislative Updates
Our first full week in session started off with a flurry of snowflakes and bills. The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee reported out my Marriage Equality Constitutional Amendment with bipartisan support (SJ 249).
Proposed Budget Features Environmental Gains
Plans demonstrate commitment to Chesapeake Bay restoration and a climate-ready Commonwealth
The proposed spending plans support a host of Chesapeake Bay Foundation initiatives including climate readiness following another year of record-breaking and costly extreme weather, investments in environmental education, and investments in cleaner water and air for future generations.
Fair Unemployment Benefits Strengthen Our Communities
As the session passed its halfway point, 22 of my bills have passed the Senate (including 16 with bipartisan support) and are being considered by the House of Delegates.
Standing with Federal Workers
There are 145,000 civilian federal employees in Virginia and more than $106 billion in federal contracts in our state.
Opinion: Oppose Release of PFAS in Virginia Waters
Join Wild Virginia for an online program this Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. to oppose permits drafted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow releases of dangerous per- and polyfluoroalky substances (PFAS) to state waters.
Letter: Menhaden Study Fails to Advance in Virginia Budget
Despite mounting troubling signs about the health of the Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden population, this legislative session Virginia lawmakers failed to approve three separate efforts to fund a study intended to answer long-standing questions about the Bay’s menhaden.
Expecting Governor Youngkin to Set a New Veto Record
As Governor Glenn Youngkin reviews the legislation we passed during the 2025 General Assembly session, Virginians should prepare for yet another round of partisan obstruction and record-setting vetoes.