We are less than 30 days away from a state government shutdown – the first in Virginia’s long history. Democrats hold all of the levers of power in the Commonwealth’s government, and they still cannot manage to pass a budget – the most important duty of the General Assembly. And news of possible political maneuvering by General Assembly Democrats to re-insert failed legislation through the budget process threatens passage of the budget even more.
The House of Delegates will return to Richmond on June 18, presumably to conclude work on the 2026-2028 state budget. The Senate is planning to do the same on June 22. Unfortunately, little to no work on the budget has gone on behind the scenes since the General Assembly left Richmond in April. In the meantime, the Commonwealth is less than a month away from a state government shutdown. Democrats need to get serious – they need to meet at the table and hash it out. And they need to do it now. Schools, first responders, road projects, law enforcement, local governments, and more are all waiting on the budget to be completed. Every day that passes without it creates more uncertainty.
Beyond the impasse between House and Senate Democrats over data center tax breaks, there is another potential complication which throws the completion of the budget into question. Some Democrats are talking about placing a number of failed legislation into the budget and daring Governor Spanberger to veto it. This includes legislation legalizing skill games, recreational marijuana sales and others that have punched big holes in the revenue that General Assembly Democrats were counting on to fund their massive spending spree.
What Virginia needs is a clean budget, and we need it now. No extraneous bills, no shutdown showdown. Democrats have the 2027 legislative session to reintroduce their failed legislation. They should not be playing a game of chicken with funding for schools, law enforcement, roads, and state employee paychecks. We need a clean budget, with no veto shenanigans.
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.
