Affordability
- Dominion Energy Makes $1.94 Million in Political Contributions Over 20 Days
Dominion Energy recorded $135,000 in political donations on October 29.
- Virginia sees gains in kindergarten readiness, but gaps persist for underserved students
Children playing at Peake Childhood Center in Newport News in October 2026.
- Spanberger’s energy plan dazzles – and disappoints
Gov. Abigail Spanberger unveils her administration's energy plan on Oct. 1, 2026 in Richmond.
- Virginia votes Tuesday: Everything you need to know about the 2026 primary elections
Voters on Tuesday will choose nominees for U.S. Senate and congressional races across the commonwealth.
- Lawmakers pitch reforms for Virginia’s building code update to boost supply, affordability
Apartments under construction in Richmond, Va. on May 15, 2026.
- Virginia’s 2026 report calls for expanded college access, improved postsecondary planning
Damon Jiggetts, president and CEO of ACCESS College Foundation, and U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott at an October 2026 financial aid workshop in Portsmouth.
- Governor Spanberger Announces Nearly $1.3 Million in Scholarships & Incentives for Nursing Students
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Spanberger today announced that the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center (VNWC) has awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and incentives to nearly 350 prospective students across the Commonwealth.
- The simple affordability fix Virginia just can’t seem to make
Townhomes under construction in Richmond, Va. on May 15, 2026.
- Vindman faces crowded field and economic pressures in Virginia’s 7th District Congressional race
Pictured from left are candidates for the seventh congressional district race in Virginia: U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Woodbridge, Republican Douglas Ollivant and Libertarian Taner Lopez.
- Luria and Kiggans rematch in Va.’s 2nd Congressional District among most-watched races in nation
From left to right: U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, Democrat Elaine Luria, and independents Bishop Staten and Matt Baker.
- Virginia Republicans urge Spanberger to call special session for fuel-tax holiday
Republican lawmakers are urging Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session to suspend Virginia’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days to ease fuel costs for families and businesses.
- House Bill 436 Sparks Concerns Over University Project Financing
A higher education representative outlines potential challenges House Bill 436 could create for existing debt commitments on campus facilities while supporting ongoing affordability talks.
- Jones Asks SCC to Restart Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger After New Commitments
Attorney general says expanded bill credits, job protections and a Richmond tower create a different deal that needs fresh notice and discovery.
- Tim Kaine and Jennifer McClellan Say Voters Could Move Congress to Revisit House Resolution 1 Healthcare Overhaul
U.S. Sen.
- Attorney General Jay Jones Asks Regulators to Reset Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones says the companies’ Sept. 14 supplemental filing is a different deal that should restart the SCC’s 180-day review, potentially pushing a decision into March 2027.
- Virginia Delegate Presses House for Car Tax Relief Amid Affordability Push
Delegate Terry Kilgore urges incremental repeal of the car tax during the 2026 legislative session, citing affordability goals and prior campaign commitments.
- Virginia House Bill 47 Aims to Expand Tax Relief for Military and Foreign Service Retirees
House Bill 47, which seeks to broaden state income tax subtractions for retirement benefits earned by uniformed services and United States Foreign Service officers, has been left in the House Finance Committee as the 2026 legislative session progresses.
- Rob Wittman, Running Again in Virginia First Congressional District, Supports Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Defense Spending Budget
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, is backing President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense spending budget, as the nation marks its eighth month in a war with Iran that Trump launched without congressional approval.
- Virginia’s Medical Marijuana Program Logs Big Sales, but Patient Concerns Linger
Cannabis leaves.
- Kelly Convirs-Fowler House Bill 188 Millionaire Income Tax Stalls in Committee
RICHMOND, VA – A proposal to impose a new 10 percent income tax bracket on earnings exceeding $1 million stalled in the House Finance Committee during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session, after being incorporated into a broader tax measure that also failed to advance. House Bill 188, introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler of Virginia
- Dan Helmer House Bill 184 All-Payer Claims Database Evaluation Passes Senate
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Senate gave unanimous approval to House Bill 184 on March 4, 2026, passing the measure with a 40-0 block vote after adopting a substitute from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. The legislation directs the Virginia Department of Health, in consultation with Virginia Health Information, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation
- Louise Lucas and Don Scott Clash as Virginia Budget Talks Stall Over Data Center Tax Breaks
With just days remaining in the 2026 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers are running out of time to reach agreement on a new two-year state budget, even as Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the General Assembly. As of Wednesday afternoon, budget con
- Housing Bills to Boost Supply, Protect Tenants on Way to Abigail Spanberger's Desk
While some of the most progressive housing bills did not survive this year’s legislative session, many housing proposals are on their way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk — some of which she has already stated she will sign into law.
- Brace yourself for brutal, expensive campaigns in Virginia congressional swing districts this fall
If you live in or near the media markets serving Hampton Roads, the Peninsula up to the Northern Neck and Richmond and its suburbs, prepare for the most acrid, expensive and desperate congressional campaigns you’ve ever endured. Depending on how rancid the winds of current events blowing in from across the Potomac become, you could […]
- Amid major federal shifts, McMahon urges Virginia universities to reform practices, restore public trust
As students prepare to return to class, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is asking Virginia’s college and university presidents and governing boards to review how they operate and make changes, with a specific focus on whether universities are delivering affordable, high-quality education while maintaining free speech, academic standards, and accountability to the public. McMahon […]
- Rural Virginia has been kind to the GOP, yet Trump’s GOP allows rural healthcare to suffer
It would be easy to blame Republicans — especially the present White House occupant — for the steady atrophying of healthcare that’s readily accessible to Virginians in rural areas. You wouldn’t be wrong. You wouldn’t be totally right either. Policies put in place during President Donald Trump’s second term contribute substantially to the declining availability […]
- State Corporation Commission Chair Kelsey Bagot, Former NextEra Attorney, Declines to Recuse Herself From Merger Case
On Tuesday, Virginia lawmakers heard from utility regulation experts on the potential impact of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. If approved, the merger would create the largest electric utility in the country. In the days preceding this week’s Commission on Electric Utility Regulation meeting, legislators asked State Corporation Commission Chair Kelsey […]
- State Corporation Commission commissioner, former NextEra attorney declines to recuse herself from merger case
On Tuesday, Virginia lawmakers heard from utility regulation experts on the potential impact of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. If approved, the merger would create the largest electric utility in the country. In the days preceding this week’s Commission on Electric Utility Regulation meeting, legislators asked State Corporation Commission Chair Kelsey […]
- Virginia Reenters RGGI Carbon Market Amid Concerns Over Hidden Taxes and Bureaucratic Spending
The state of Virginia is officially reentering the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative under the newly finalized budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Governor Abigail Spanberger championed the move, reversing the previous administration’s decision to exit the controversial carbon-trading market. While the administration touts a new utility bill relief mechanism, fiscal conservatives warn that the p
- Virginia Democrats Push $17 Million Eviction Prevention Program Amid Budget Bloat Concerns
Virginia lawmakers are advancing a new state budget that includes a massive $17 million allocation for eviction prevention assistance, sparking immediate concerns among fiscal conservatives. This hefty provision is tucked inside House Bill 30, which proponents are calling the Affordable Virginia Budget for the upcoming fiscal years. While advocates claim the funding is necessary to […]
- Virginia’s Ballooning Budget: Across-the-Board Salary Hikes Threaten Taxpayers
The 2026-2028 biennium budget finalized by Governor Abigail Spanberger and Democratic lawmakers features massive 3.5% annual across-the-board pay raises for state employees. This sweeping compensation package shifts away from previous fiscally conservative proposals and places a heavier, permanent financial burden on Virginia taxpayers. The aggressive spending plan impacts all state agencies and s
- Virginia Implements Historic $600 Million Data Center Tax to Protect Ratepayers from Big Tech Grid Strain
The state of Virginia has officially implemented a first-of-its-kind statewide energy consumption tax on data centers within the FY2027 budget. This unprecedented measure is projected to generate up to $600 million annually by targeting the massive electricity usage of tech corporations. For years, conservative watchdogs have warned about the unchecked expansion of data centers and […]
- Virginia Secures Standard Deduction Increase for 2027, Urges Focus on Spending Cuts
Virginia taxpayers will see a modest but vital reprieve from heavy state taxation following a legislative agreement to increase the standard tax deduction starting in the 2027 tax year. Under the newly established financial framework, single filers will see their base deduction rise from $8,750 to $9,200. Joint filers will simultaneously enjoy a proportional increase, […]
- Prince William County Supervisors Adopt Budget with Reduced Real Estate Tax Rate
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors recently approved a fiscal year budget that reduces the real estate tax rate while simultaneously expanding funding for local schools and public safety. Following extensive public hearings, the board voted to lower the real estate tax rate from $0.906 to $0.865 per $100 of assessed value for […]
- Virginia Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Risky $25 Million Mixed-Income Housing Loan Fund
The Virginia state government is aggressively expanding its footprint in the real estate market with the creation of a massive revolving loan fund pilot program for mixed-income housing. Lawmakers have pushed forward with this costly initiative, aiming to funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into the acquisition, construction, and improvement of various housing projects. Critics of […]
- Loudoun Supervisor Phyllis Randall Calls for Action on Attainable Housing Amid Land Use Concerns
Loudoun County Supervisor Phyllis Randall has spoken about the urgency of addressing attainable housing in the county. She raised questions regarding potential impacts on local decision-making powers related to housing development. Randall indicated that county officials need to move forward with their own plans to retain control over land use matters. The discussion centers on […]
- Spanberger takes unprecedented step to intervene in $67B Dominion-NextEra merger
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is stepping directly into the regulatory fight over the proposed $67 billion sale of Dominion Energy to Florida-based NextEra Energy, becoming the first Virginia governor to formally intervene in a case before the State Corporation Commission. Spanberger announced Thursday that she will seek intervenor status in the case, giving her administration the […]
- Manassas Park FY2027 Budget Funds Three Specialized City Positions Amid Overall Reductions
The City of Manassas Park has officially outlined its fiscal priorities for the upcoming year, placing a distinct focus on expanding specialized municipal staff. Within the newly structured FY2027 budget, local officials have secured funding for three new full-time positions aimed at modernizing city operations. These roles include an Enterprise System Administrator, an Emergency Operations […]
- Loudoun County Allocates $29 Million to Housing Fund Amid Budget Approval
Loudoun County officials have announced a massive financial commitment to address regional affordability with a newly proposed budget allocating twenty-nine million dollars to the local Housing Fund. This significant investment relies on the dedication of one cent of the real property tax rate alongside proceeds generated from the county cigarette tax. County administrators view this […]
- Loudoun County Approves FY2027 Budget Featuring $28.5 Million in Employee Compensation Increases
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has advanced a comprehensive $5.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 that includes significant investments in the local government workforce. A central component of this newly structured financial plan is a $28.5 million allocation dedicated specifically to employee compensation increases across various county departments. This targeted funding aims to […]
- Loudoun County FY2027 Budget Allocates $28.5 Million for Employee Compensation Increases
Loudoun County officials have officially unveiled the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which heavily prioritizes long-term workforce retention and recruitment through substantial compensation enhancements. At the center of this comprehensive financial plan is a $28.5 million allocation specifically designated for employee pay increases across multiple municipal departments. County Administrator T
- Even without a new map, Buttigieg says Va. Dems can win with focus on healthcare, affordability
Virginia Democrats lost the congressional map they hoped would help them win as many as four Republican-held seats in this year’s midterm elections. Pete Buttigieg says they may not need it. The former U.S. transportation secretary and 2020 presidential candidate said Democrats can still make significant gains under Virginia’s existing map if they field competent […]
- Loudoun County Board Adopts $5.4 Billion Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has officially approved a $5.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027, setting the financial framework for the rapidly growing region. This comprehensive spending plan, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, balances major investments in public services with efforts to manage taxpayer burdens. The adopted budget fully funds essential […]
- UVA study shows how housing affordability policy, civic engagement and voter turnout connect
A University of Virginia professor’s research aims to illuminate how federal policy that supports affordable homeownership intersects with civic engagement via the ballot box, as housing affordability and access remain top concerns for voters in Virginia and across America. A new study titled “Mortgage Refinancing and Political Participation” explored how remedies in the aftermath of […]
- Prince William County Allocates $5 Million to Affordable Housing Reserve Fund
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors has officially allocated a five million dollar contribution to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund for the fiscal year 2027 budget. This latest financial commitment brings the total cumulative investment in the reserve fund to twenty-one million dollars over the four-year period spanning from fiscal year 2024 to […]
- Prince William County Allocates Additional $5 Million to Affordable Housing Reserve Fund
Prince William County officials have proposed a $5 million contribution to the Affordable Housing reserve fund as a central component of the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget. This latest financial commitment brings the total local investment in the housing reserve to a significant $21 million over the period spanning from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal […]
- Loudoun County Dedicates Over $32 Million to Affordable Housing Initiatives in New Budget
Loudoun County officials have officially directed a substantial portion of the newly proposed $5.4 billion budget toward addressing regional affordable housing shortages. The county allocated an initial $29 million directly to the Housing Fund to support a variety of attainable housing initiatives. This major financial commitment utilizes dedicated revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainabilit
- Loudoun County Approves $5.4 Billion Budget for FY2027, Balancing Public Investments with Targeted Tax Relief
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors recently approved a comprehensive $5.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027, prioritizing education, public safety, and affordable housing initiatives. This substantial financial plan fully funds a requested $105 million increase for Loudoun County Public Schools, bringing the district’s total operating budget to an unprecedented $2.1 billion. The budget was
- Late on rent? New Virginia law gives tenants more time and protection from eviction
Tamiaka Bryant has rebuilt her life from scratch before. She doesn’t want to have to do it again. Originally from North Carolina, Bryant saw her hometown of New Bern pummeled by Hurricane Florence in 2018. Flooding and heavy winds caused an estimated $100 million in commercial and residential damage, prompting the city to spend the […]
- Fairfax County Approves FY2027 Budget with Increased Investments in Affordable Housing and Home Repair Programs
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently finalized the comprehensive fiscal year 2027 budget, placing a significant emphasis on community spending, expanding affordable housing, and supporting low-income home repair initiatives. The meticulously crafted financial plan includes an overarching annual investment of approximately $52.7 million directed toward housing stability and sustainable