They Promised Affordability. Then Came the Tax Hikes—and the Pay Raise

Promises of Affordability? More Like Broken Promises

Virginia Democrats spent the campaign season hammering one message: affordability. Voters were told that Democrats would ease the financial burden on working families and make the state more affordable to live in. But since retaking control of Virginia’s government, their actions tell a very different story.

Tax Hikes for You, Pay Raises for Them

In just a short time back in power, Democrats have pushed policies that would drive Virginia’s tax burden to unprecedented levels. The state’s tax rate is now poised to become the highest in the nation—surpassing even California—while lawmakers consider a host of new and expanded taxes that would hit families, small businesses, and retirees alike.

As Virginians brace for higher costs, Democratic lawmakers are also moving to significantly increase their own pay. An amendment to the state budget, SB30, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas and Delegate Vivian Watts, would more than double legislative salaries. The proposal represents roughly a 150 percent pay increase in both the House of Delegates and the Senate.

Hypocrisy on Full Display

The timing has drawn sharp criticism. Democrats regained full control of state government only recently, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger now occupying the Governor’s Mansion and Democrats holding both legislative chambers. Within days of consolidating that power, lawmakers introduced a measure to dramatically boost their compensation.

Republicans have blasted the move as hypocritical and self-serving. The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus warned that Democrats are seeking a “pay raise after proposing thousands of dollars in new taxes hammering working families,” calling the affordability rhetoric a “total con job.”

At the heart of the criticism is a simple question: what has been done to justify such a raise? Democrats have barely had time to govern, let alone deliver results that would warrant doubling their salaries. Yet while Virginians are being asked to pay more, lawmakers appear ready to reward themselves first.

For voters who were promised affordability, the contrast between campaign slogans and governing priorities could not be clearer.