Abigail Spanberger
- Virginia Democrats Earmark $100k for Statue honoring Judge Lee Ware accused of trading sex with convicted killer’s mother for legal advice
The budget deal Virginia Democrats have proposed is now on Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D.)’s desk provides $100,000 for a monument honoring a former Circuit Court judge who admitted having a sexual relation with the mother of a convicted killer while providing legal assistance in her son’s cases. Grace Church claimed that Onzlee ware, a circuit […]
- Virginia’s Massive Surplus Exposes Over-Taxation as State Hoards Millions in Reserves
On July 15, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced a plan to roll $585.5 million from a massive state surplus into the Fiscal Year 2027 starting balances. Virginia closed out Fiscal Year 2026 with a staggering $936.3 million general fund surplus, driven by relentless revenue collections from citizens across the commonwealth. While the administration attempts to […]
- Virginia’s $1.94 Billion Data Center Giveaway: A Colossal Failure of Fiscal Restraint
The recently finalized Virginia budget reveals a staggering fiscal reality for hardworking taxpayers who are currently subsidizing the booming data center industry. While lawmakers publicly tout a newly implemented electricity consumption tax, they quietly retained a massive retail sales and use tax exemption for these technology giants through the year 2035. This corporate carve-out represents […
- SCC considers making data centers shoulder more of the cost of transmission lines
Transmission lines for a data center in Prince William County, VA. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) Consumer advocates have joined Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration to argue that high-load customers like data centers should pay for the high-voltage lines that solely serve them, a stance now playing out as part of Dominion Energy’s case with state […]
- Spanberger unveils reformed practices for Va. prisons and council on corrections
A new council convened by Gov. Abigail Spanberger aims to help solve longstanding issues in Virginia’s prisons that residents and correctional officers have expressed concerns about for years. The Governor’s Community Partnership Council On Corrections, which Spanberger announced Tuesday, will bring together representatives from advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, healthcare and public saf
- Eight school-based health clinics close in Southwest Virginia as federal funding pressures mount
Federally Qualified Health Centers in Southwest Virginia have shut down eight school-based health clinics, prompting the Virginia Community Healthcare Association to urge U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, to intervene. The association, which represents FQHCs across the state, sent Griffith a letter Thursday about the closures. The outreach program had served as an extension of health […]
- Va. education department says failed proposal to delay cut scores stemmed from legislative mandates
The Virginia Department of Education says its unsuccessful and much-criticized pitch to push back the state’s new proficiency benchmarks for reading and math by two years was a result of legislative mandates, recommendations from the state’s official legislative watchdog and feedback from a statewide listening tour over a span of three months. Last month, staff […]
- State’s love affair with data centers is cooling
This post was originally published on this site.Data centers. Data centers. They are a necessity. We could benefit from data centers building in areas where there is a greater need, and doing more economic good, rather than rushing to build them at a jackrabbit’s pace. Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of […]
- Jason Miyares Address Marijuana Framework in State Budget
Attorney General Jason Miyares released a statement regarding Governor Abigail Spanberger and efforts surrounding marijuana commercialization in Virginia. Miyares recalled his earlier warning that a rushed approach to such policies could lead to problematic governance outcomes. Recent developments in the state budget process brought those concerns to the forefront. The statement pointed to the inc
- Justice Department Challenges Virginia Assault Weapons Law in Federal Court
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on July 1, 2026, against the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State Police. The suit challenges provisions of a state law that restrict certain semi-automatic firearms. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division announced the action, which targets bans on the purchase, […]
- Spanberger joins governors in Abortion Alliance
From support for legislation and ballot referendums to helping states stockpile abortion and miscarriage management drug mifepristone, a growing cohort of governors are banding together as the Abortion Alliance. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Wednesday that she has joined the coalition. Members include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Gov. Wes Moore […]
- Lawmakers weigh merging Northern Virginia transit agencies to cut costs
Virginia lawmakers want to examine consolidating Northern Virginia’s transit agencies to assess potential cost savings and service improvements. The proposal, which is included in the two-year budget lawmakers passed Monday, directs the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to include in its report not only the cost savings and long-term financial impacts of merging multiple […]
- Observation at State Fair Notes Virginia Booth Status
During the America 250 Great American State Fair, an event marking the nation’s quarter-millennium anniversary, one state’s exhibit drew attention for its closed appearance. Virginia’s booth remained locked and without staff present, unlike those of other participating states that operated with open access. This detail emerged from direct observations shared widely online and in media […]
- Abigail Spanberger Discusses Cannabis Regulation Needs
Abigail Spanberger has addressed the current status of cannabis laws in Virginia. Adults may legally use cannabis under existing statutes. A lack of retail regulation has led to what she describes as a gray area in enforcement and commerce. Discussions have included potential legislation to create structured oversight. Such measures could involve forming a dedicated […]
- Governor Abigail Spanberger calls for voluntary water conservation
This post was originally published on this site. The latest update by the Drought Monitoring Task Force of Virginia shows that Southside Virginia is still under a drought alert despite recent rain. Governor Abigail Spanberger is encouraging Virginians to take voluntary and commonsense steps to conserve and reduce water use. Abigail Spanberger encourages Virginians take […]
- Amid Virginia drought conditions, data centers face same restrictions as all water customers
About one-third of the state of Virginia is under extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger is urging citizens to conserve water. So when local water authorities implement restrictions on water use, are there specific carve outs and rules for data centers, which use hundreds of thousands of gallons […]
- Testing service acquisition expands Virginia’s workforce credentialing and policy plans
Educational Testing Services, a leading test developer for colleges and universities, recently acquired ACT, the organization that administers one of the nation’s most popular standardized tests to measure students educational development for college admission. The merger will combine both entities’ expertise to create better tools to help students in Virginia and across the country succeed […]
- Virginia’s abortion amendment faces legal challenges over procedural step, language
A legal challenge to Virginia’s pending reproductive rights amendment is headed toward a hearing later this month, with potential implications for two other pending constitutional amendments. At the center of Bansley v. Nardo is an argument that the clerk of the House of Delegates, Paul Nardo, failed to send copies of the amendment to circuit […]
- Virginia localities raise $119M for school construction through targeted sales tax
Over the past five years, several Virginia localities have generated just $119 million total from a targeted sales tax to fund school construction and maintenance, fueling calls to expand the tax statewide. When lawmakers first established the tax in 2021, a state survey showed over half of Virginia’s schools were more than 50 years old, […]
- Virginia Enacts Law Updating Discovery Procedures for Criminal Cases
In Virginia, a legislative measure has been signed into law that modifies the procedures for providing discovery materials to individuals accused of crimes in district court cases. House Bill 118 was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger on April 13, 2026, becoming Chapter 562 of the Acts of Assembly. The law goes into effect on July […]
- Spanberger signs assault weapons ban, package of criminal justice and energy bills
Gov. Abigail Spanberger late Thursday signed a sweeping package of legislation approved during the 2026 General Assembly session, including a ban on the future sale and manufacture of assault-style firearms, new restrictions of weapons in hospitals, marijuana sentencing reforms, voter roll maintenance changes and protections for immigrant workers. The assault weapons measure, one of the […]
- How Virginia became the world’s data center capital and how it’s going
Demand for internet access and electronic storage has grown alongside digital technology itself. At the center of that growth are the energy infrastructure and data centers that governments and companies began developing in Northern Virginia in the late 20th century. Today, the region houses the world’s largest concentration of data centers, making Virginia the nation’s […]
- Spanberger names 32 new appointees to Virginia college boards
Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed 32 new members to governing boards at Virginia’s colleges and universities, continuing her effort to reshape higher education leadership across the commonwealth. On Friday evening, Spanberger announced 52 appointments, including 20 reappointments. The move furthers her efforts to remake university leadership amid concerns about the politicization of public col
- Virginia’s romance with data centers has cooled, but nobody benefits if there’s a full breakup
Data centers. Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them. But we could do with data centers slowing their jackrabbit pace of reproduction in congested suburbs and, instead, building where they could fill a need and do more economic good. Our romance with data centers has cooled in Virginia, home to the world’s greatest concentration […]
- Virginia joins 21 states in opposing USPS gun mailing proposal
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones on Tuesday joined 21 other states in opposing a proposed United States Postal Service rule that would allow certain firearms to be sent through the mail, warning the change could undermine state gun laws and make it easier for prohibited individuals to obtain weapons. In a multi-state comment letter, the […]
- Governor Abigail Spanberger kills Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposal
A five-year effort to curb drug prices through a Prescription Drug Affordability Board just faced its third veto between two governors, as Abigail Spanberger formally rejected the measure Tuesday. The proposal had evolved over the years: first as a board to set payment limits on drug prices, and later as an advisory panel to help […]
- Another year, another Virginia retail marijuana market veto leaves businesses, the public with few options
By Yiqing Wang and Toby Cox/WHRO Throughout her bid for governor, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she would support a bill to set up a legal, adult-use cannabis market — which is why her veto on May 19 caught many rooting for such a market by surprise. “I thought it was a joke, honestly,” said Julian […]
- Virginia class action proposal dies after Spanberger veto
Virginia will remain one of only two states without a formal class action process in its state courts after Gov. Abigail Spanberger this week vetoed legislation that would have allowed groups of Virginians with similar legal claims to sue collectively in a single case. The veto followed lawmakers’ rejection of a significant rewrite of the […]
- Virginia braces for dangerous heat wave ahead of Fourth of July weekend
Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday urged Virginians to prepare for dangerous heat and humidity expected to blanket much of the commonwealth through the Fourth of July weekend, with forecasters warning heat index values could reach as high as 115 degrees in some areas. The National Weather Service said Virginia is expected to face a prolonged […]
- Here are 10 notable new Virginia laws that will take effect July 1
Hundreds of new Virginia laws will begin taking effect Wednesday, after Gov. Abigail Spanberger acted on more than 1,100 bills approved by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly earlier this year. Not every measure passed this year will be triggered into action all at once. Some policies will phase in over the coming months or years, while […]
- Virginia proposes two-year delay in raising school standards
The Virginia Board of Education may delay the full implementation of the state’s plan to raise academic benchmarks for reading and math by two years, rather than gradually increasing them over a four-year period starting this year as scheduled. The department briefed board members on the proposed delay at their work session on Wednesday at […]
- Virginia lawmakers return Monday to weigh Spanberger budget amendments before fiscal deadline
Less than 48 hours before the start of Virginia’s new fiscal year, the General Assembly will meet in Richmond Monday to consider Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s proposed amendments to the state’s two-year spending plan lawmakers passed one week ago. The House of Delegates will reconvene at noon to take up the governor’s amendments first, followed later […]
- Virginia has a new two-year budget. Here’s what lawmakers now require of data centers.
Marvell data center in Culpeper County. The Virginia legislature’s new two-year budget imposes new standards on the industry to address concerns about data centers’ energy use and impact on the environment. (Photo by Evan Visconti/Virginia Mercury) A new tax has been activated for data centers, the most energy-intensive industry in Virginia, through a provision of […]
- Virginia General Assembly approves Spanberger’s budget amendments, ending monthslong impasse
With less than 48 hours remaining before the start of Virginia’s new fiscal year, the General Assembly on Monday approved a package of amendments proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger to the state’s two-year budget, formally ending a budget fight among the Democratic majority that had dragged on for months. The House of Delegates and state […]
- ‘It’s outrageous’: Spanberger navigates budget fight, Democratic unrest six months into governorship
Back in January, Gov. Abigail Spanberger arrived in office promising pragmatism, affordability and a less combative style of politics. Fast forward a few months, and Virginia’s first woman governor finds herself navigating one of the rockiest starts to a Democratic administration in years, with budget negotiations intensifying weeks before a shutdown deadline, frustration simmering inside […]
- Budget amendment would give ratepayers estimated $3 monthly rebate from RGGI funds
An amendment to return 45% of funds earned through the regional carbon market to rate-paying residents, small business and churches is part of the two-year budget Virginia lawmakers passed Monday, which is now under review by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The provision would require utilities that burn carbon energy sources in the state to purchase carbon […]
- Kratom product sales to be regulated in Virginia
Del. Joshua Cole, D-Fredericksburg, never expected social media posts about a recreational drug would inspire a new consumer protection law, which he sponsored and was approved by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month. Spanberger ceremonially signed Cole’s House Bill 360 on Tuesday, which creates new safeguards for the sale of kratom, a legal substance often used […]
- Virginia House, Senate to meet Monday as budget deadline inches closer
The Virginia House of Delegates will convene Monday afternoon in Richmond, House Clerk Paul Nardo confirmed Friday. The state Senate will meet the same day, as both chambers work towards resolving the state budget, which must be finalized by June 30 or risk a government shutdown. The House had been scheduled to meet Thursday but […]
- Virginia legislators advance $205 billion budget including new tax on data centers
On Monday, Virginia legislators approved a two-year, $205 billion budget proposal to fund healthcare and public education, provide 4% teacher raises and a 3.5% pay bump to state employees, establish a retail weed marketplace and hedge against decreased federal dollars. The spending plan also includes a provision to tax data centers for their energy consumption, […]
- Virginia revenue forecast jumps by $1.5 billion as budget talks continue
Virginia’s revenue outlook has improved by $1.5 billion over the next three fiscal years, giving lawmakers more breathing room as negotiations over a stalled state budget are set to continue in Richmond later this month. Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday afternoon released the updated revenue forecast she ordered last month, telling top legislative budget writers […]
- Virginia Tech rector refuses to resign after Spanberger’s dismissal
Virginia Tech governing board member John Rocovich has refused to resign after Gov. Abigail Spanberger removed him last week after 16 years. Rocovich stated in a four-page letter addressed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth that he will not resign before his term ends on June 30, 2027. There was no sign of him at […]
- Virginia officials urge hurricane preparedness as 2026 storm season begins
With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season underway, Virginia officials are urging residents to prepare now for severe weather that can bring flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes and prolonged power outages across the commonwealth. State leaders gathered Wednesday at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center in Richmond for hurricane preparedness briefings and tabletop simulations meant to test coordi
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs wetlands, PFAS and flooding bills
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs an environmental bill into law in Stafford, VA on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) On the banks of Aquia Creek in Stafford, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed a slew of bills designed to protect Virginia’s clean water from harmful forever chemicals and aid communities as sea levels […]
- Abigail Spanberger vetoes cannabis bill, stalling legal sales again
Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have created Virginia’s long-delayed adult-use cannabis retail market, halting an effort lawmakers spent months negotiating five years after the commonwealth legalized marijuana possession. The veto came after the General Assembly last month rejected Spanberger’s substitute proposal, which would have substantially rewritten the legis
- Virginia farmers talk meat production, fertilizer costs with USDA officials
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy traveled to Doswell Wednesday to meet with Virginia farmers and meat producers and discuss the challenges they face – and what the federal government can do to help. Limited access to local meat processors is a persistent challenge […]
- New law will enhance emergency response for people with disabilities
Two things inspired Del. Leslie Mehta, D-Chesterfield, the most when she sought public office: her now-deceased eldest daughter Brooke and her passion for healthcare policy. Both converged in the first piece of Mehta’s legislation to be signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. House Bill 1370, she said, is about “making sure that those with […]
- Governor Abigail Spanberger fires Virginia Tech Rector Rocovich, appoints Dominion Energy’s Edward Baine as replacement
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has removed Rector John Rocovich from Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, citing misconduct in a letter sent Wednesday. On Thursday, she announced that Edward Baine, executive vice president of utility operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, would replace Rocovich on the board for the remainder of his term, which ends in […]
- Virginia budget impasse threatens school funding, poses potential staffing challenges
If state leaders don’t finalize the budget by July 1, Virginia school leaders say there will be insufficient funding for special education, at-risk students, educator compensation and student services. (Photo by Getty Images) Virginia’s education leaders say they are optimistic about the proposed K-12 funding in the state budget, but their outlook is tempered by […]
- Virginia lawmakers are set to return to Richmond as budget deadline nears
Virginia lawmakers are set to return to Richmond this month for another attempt to reach a budget deal, with just days until the start of the new fiscal year and no agreement yet on the state’s next two-year spending plan. The House of Delegates is scheduled to reconvene its special session June 18 at 10 […]
- Hakeem Jeffries Signals Democratic Push to Reinstate Virginia’s Rejected Congressional Map for 2028
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has indicated that Democrats plan to pursue restoration of a congressional redistricting plan in Virginia that was struck down by the state’s Supreme Court, aiming for implementation ahead of the 2028 elections. The comments, made during an appearance at the Center for American Progress, come in the wake of […]