Although I have written in a couple of prior articles about some concerning pieces of legislation pushed through the General Assembly by House and Senate Democrats, it is simply not possible to cover them all in a single column. This week, I would like to highlight a few more poorly conceived proposals passed by the Democrat-led General Assembly that are now before Governor Abigail Spanberger for her signature, amendment, or veto.
One such bill, House Bill 494, would create preferential treatment for former federal government employees who were terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) when they apply for jobs with the Commonwealth of Virginia. The bill states that an applicant’s status as a former federal employee may be considered for certain state positions, effectively creating a preferred class of applicants. While it is certainly true that some former federal employees may be highly qualified for roles within state government, hiring decisions should be based solely on merit. Granting preference based on prior federal employment is not, in my view, the right approach.
Another bill I briefly mentioned last week—but one that could have a significant impact on state and local taxation—is HB 1263, which repeals the prohibition on public employee collective bargaining. This legislation creates what amounts to a massive unfunded mandate for localities across the Commonwealth. One Virginia locality has already projected a potential fiscal impact exceeding $400 million as a result. As you might expect, these increased costs will ultimately fall on local taxpayers in the form of higher taxes. In some areas, property tax rates could rise by as much as $0.30 to $0.40, which is simply not sustainable. Financially strained localities could face declining bond ratings or even bankruptcy, all while struggling to fulfill the essential functions of local government.
In addition to ongoing efforts by Democrats to expand their influence through the gerrymandering constitutional amendment currently before voters in a referendum, there is also a push to surrender Virginia’s authority over presidential electors to an interstate compact. HB 965 would enter Virginia into the so-called “National Popular Vote Compact,” which would allocate the Commonwealth’s electoral votes to the winner of the nationwide popular vote, regardless of how Virginians themselves vote. As a reminder, the Electoral College system exists to ensure that densely populated areas—such as New York and Los Angeles—do not solely determine the outcome of presidential elections. While more populous states do receive more electors, less populous states are still guaranteed a meaningful voice. Under this proposal, a candidate could lose the popular vote in Virginia but still receive its electoral votes if they win the national popular vote. I find it difficult to understand why Virginia Democrats would support relinquishing the Commonwealth’s autonomy in this way.
The bills discussed in this article have not yet been signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger, and it is my sincere hope that she will take these concerns into careful consideration during her first bill review as governor.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
