Budget
- FBI raids Sen. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office, marijuana business
State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, on the Senate floor at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond. Federal agents on Wednesday raided Lucas’ Portsmouth office and adjacent cannabis business as part of a court-authorized FBI search operation. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) Federal agents on Wednesday morning raided the Portsmouth office of state Sen. Louise Lucas, one […]
- State bus line debuts new east-west route that connects 10 cities across Virginia
The state’s bus line The Virginia Breeze launchd a new east-west route, The Tidewater Current, on April 20, 2026. Passengers may travel from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg, with multiple stops along the way. (Photo courtesy Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation) Travelers looking to traverse the commonwealth from east to west and vice versa […]
- Data center tax exemption changes still holding up Virginia budget
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (left) and Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas speak with reporters on Wednesday. (Photo by Charles Paullin/Inside Climate News) This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News (hyperlink to the original story), a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. […]
- Tensions Escalate at Fairfax County School Board Meeting Over Vote on Unfinished Calendar
Hunter Mill District’s Melanie Meren voiced strong reservations, noting past instances where motions passed without full review but insisting she required a complete view before voting. ‘We’ve had motions voted,’ she said, adding, ‘until I see it… that is part of this process.’ Meren argued that proper presentation to the board enables informed decision-making, a […]
- Early poll is sobering for Spanberger, but it’s a wake-up call, not an epitaph
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond earlier this month. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) The first report card on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s still brand-new term is in, and she can’t be happy with it. I’m hearing she’s decidedly unhappy. A new survey by the Washington Post and George Mason […]
- Virginia Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Challenge to Narrowly Passed Redistricting Amendment
The amendment stems from Democratic efforts in the General Assembly to revisit congressional maps drawn in 2021 by the state Supreme Court. Those maps, created after a 2020 voter-approved measure established an independent commission, resulted in a configuration reflecting Virginia’s competitive politics, approximately 7 Democratic-leaning districts to 4 Republican-leaning ones. Proponents of the
- Virginia lawmakers recess special session without a budget deal
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond, where lawmakers convened Thursday for a special session to finalize the budget. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia General Assembly convened for a special session Thursday to finalize the state’s $212 billion budget, but recessed after just a few hours without a deal, underscoring deep divisions within […]
- Public Comment Urges Solar and Battery Integration for Proposed Virginia County Government Center
The commenter commended these provisions as successful steps toward environmental protection but advocated for additional requirements: installation of rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. Describing the site as suitable for a model public property, the speaker called on the board to treat the opportunity as a chance for government to demonstrate leadership by example […]
- Hospitals are not closing down
This post was originally published on this site. The hospitals in the area say that they will continue to serve the region, despite possible cuts in Medicaid funding which were approved by Congress last year. Public Citizen, a report highlighted by Virginia U.S. Senators. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and others stated that Sentara Halifax Regional […]
- Tazewell Circuit Court Blocks Certification of Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum, Ruling Process Unconstitutional
TAZEWELL, Va. — In a dramatic late-day ruling issued Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Tazewell Circuit Court blocked certification of results from Tuesday’s special election on a controversial constitutional amendment aimed at allowing the Virginia General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before the next federal census. Chief Judge Jack Hurley reaffirmed earlier findings that both…
- Loudoun County Allocates $85.8 Million to Attainable Housing Since FY2023 in Proposed FY27 Budget
Key components of the FY27 proposal include $10.5 million allocated to a loan program anticipated to fund 100 units and $4.5 million for the attainable housing fund targeting 110 units. Starting in FY2027, a penny from cigarette tax revenue will be dedicated to down payment and closing cost assistance. These efforts build on a property […]
- Loudoun Supervisor Koran Saines Denies Data Center Financial Ties During April 7 Board Meeting, But VPAP Records Show $15,000 in Donations from Construction Firms Tied to Data Center Projects
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In a pointed defense of his integrity amid ongoing public scrutiny of data center development in Loudoun County, Sterling District Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D) told fellow Board of Supervisors members and residents on April 7, 2026, that he has not accepted any campaign contributions from data center companies. Yet Virginia […]
- Uptick in continued Virginia General Assembly legislation reflects varied motivations
The State Capitol in Richmond. (Photo by Kacy Lee/Capital News Service) By Kacy Lee/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Hundreds of bills were continued to 2027 following the recent Virginia General Assembly session that concluded in mid-March, a method political experts say is increasingly used by lawmakers for several reasons. A total of 2,366 […]
- Loudoun County’s FY 2027 Proposed Budget, Non-Departmental Expenditures
Loudoun County’s FY 2027 Proposed Budget lists Non-Departmental Expenditures as one of the largest single categories in the General Fund, totaling approximately $2.103 billion — an increase of $119.5 million over the FY 2026 adopted amount of $1.984 billion. While this broad line item supports legitimate centralized functions, its size and lack of granular detail…
- Loudoun County Democrat School Board Votes Down Expansion of School Resource Officers to Elementary Schools
In a 5-3-1 vote during a special meeting on March 5, 2026, the board declined to endorse the expansion. The full board includes Chair April Chandler (Algonkian District), Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg District), Amy Riccardi (Sterling District), Ross Svenson, Jonathan Pepper, and members representing Ashburn, Blue Ridge, Catoctin, Dulles, Lovettsville, and Sugarland districts. Shernoff, speaking emoti
- Loudoun School Board Rejects SRO Expansion for Elementary Schools Despite Sheriff Data
The board, which includes members Ross Svenson, Anne Donohue, and additional representatives from the district’s regions, conducted citizen participation. Speakers stressed vulnerabilities of young students, noting their limited ability to conceal themselves or contact emergency services independently. Sheriff’s responses can be hindered by traffic conditions. Sheriff records show over 5,000 insta
- Virginia General Assembly Advances HB54 to Bolster State Government Talent Pipeline with New Internship Coordinator
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has made significant progress on House Bill 54, a measure aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth’s public sector workforce by establishing a dedicated State Government Internship Coordinator within the Department of Human Resource Management. Introduced by Delegate Rip Sullivan of the Sixth District, the legislation seeks to attract top-tier […]
- Op-Ed: Budget amendment would triple General Assembly member salaries, cost taxpayers more in retirement and frills
OINK, OINK — the hog is now the symbol of the Democratic Party in Virginia. Not even in power for two weeks, Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) introduced a budget amendment to triple the salaries of state senators and delegates to $45,000, effective January 2028. According to the budget amendment, taxpayers would be on the hook […]
- Why Loudoun County Taxpayers Keep Paying More
Budget Growth Far Exceeds Any Rational Justification Loudoun County budget data for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 are presented in Table 1. A little arithmetic using these data shows that operating budget expenditures increased by 9.7% from FY 2025 to FY 2026 and local taxation for the same period increased by 11%. The increase in […]
- Va. considers nearly $700 million rail and trail plan in Shenandoah Valley
The Virginia Department of Transportation stunned Virginia’s transportation community by proposing a plan last Tuesday to potentially develop a multi-use trail and restore a deteriorated rail corridor in the Shenandoah Valley, with a possible price tag of nearly $700 million.
- Virginia’s Speed Camera Cash Grab: $60 Million in Fines from School Zones, Zero Enforcement in Dangerous Intersections
In a revealing discussion at the Virginia State Crime Commission meeting on December 2, 2025, state officials highlighted the stark reality of the commonwealth’s speed camera program: a lucrative revenue stream that’s prioritizing easy targets over actual public safety.
- Virginia Democrats Propose Sweeping Changes to Marijuana Regulations in Latest Budget Push
Virginia Democrats have introduced proposed changes to the state’s cannabis framework as part of ongoing budget considerations, aiming to enhance the retail marijuana market through a focus on equity and statewide uniformity. The proposals include allocating funds for licensing support, eliminating local veto options on dispensaries, and mandating labor agreements for industry participants.
- Salem City Council to discuss a $2 million capital improvement budget for schools
Salem City Council on Monday will review a request by the Salem School Division to allocate almost $2 million of unallocated reserve capital funds to the general, grant, capital projects, and reserve funds.
- The Trump administration wants everyone to reapply for food stamps. What does that mean?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ call for a close reexamination of the 42 million people who receive federal food aid has befuddled advocates and lawmakers, coming mere days after recipients began to see benefits that had been stalled during the government shutdown.
- Rein in federal health care program that raises costs for Virginians
Virginians often have to choose between paying high health care expenses and their daily living costs at the gas station and grocery store. As a clinic worker in Tysons Corner I understand how vital it is that patients with chronic illnesses receive the care they require when they need it.
- Sticker Shock: Loudoun Taxpayers Hit Hard by a Broken Budgeting System
Loudoun County’s Budget Cycle The Loudoun County budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. The County is currently operating under the FY-2026 budget, and the process for formulating the FY-2027 budget is already underway. This process is overseen by the County Administrator. How the Budget Is Formulated The annual budget process unfolds as […]
- Will the Loudoun County BOS Do the Right Thing with the FY2025 Budget Surplus?
Last year in the December timeframe the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) quietly held a meeting to allocate surplus funding from the previous year’s budget. In that case, the subject was a surplus of $250M from the FY 2024 budget (June 2023 to June 2024). The meeting was publicized after the fact in a […]
- Danville City Council will consider three budget amendments relating to the regional airport
The city council of Danville will discuss three budget amendments at its regular meeting on Tuesday at 7 pm. These amendments are to be used to fund projects and programs at the Danville Regional Airport.
- Roanoke seeks to bring all city workers over $42K ‘living wage’ pay threshold
It was clear from the start of Roanoke’s tumultuous budget season this year that improving employee compensation for the city’s 1,643 full-time employees was a priority for new City Manager Valmarie Turner. “We must address the growing demands of our workforce, particularly when it comes to overtime or city employee compensation; ensuring fair pay for […]
- Montgomery County school needs, legislative priorities to be addressed
Montgomery County supervisors will take action to put various school system funding into the new county budget when they meet Monday. The county board will also review its priorities for legislation in the 2026 General Assembly and will learn about absentee voting sites for the November election. The board will convene at 7 p.m. in […]
- Styrofoam containers will soon be banned in Virginia
Your food and drink orders in Virginia may start to look a little different.
- Staff Cuts, Union Raises as Fairfax County Public Schools scrambles to balance budget
Fairfax County Public Schools staff will receive most, but not all, of their planned salary increases under a revised fiscal year 2026 budget proposal shared last week by Superintendent Michelle Reid.
- Virginia Military Institute appoints interim as search continues for new leader
The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors named Brigadier General Dallas Clark acting superintendent Saturday afternoon, but didn’t set a firm date for when a new superintendent will be selected.
- Arlington performing arts groups concerned about new county fees
Arlington County has changed the way that it bills performing art groups for their services, causing some concern amongst advocates.
- Loudoun County Board of Supervisors ratifies collective bargaining agreement with SEIU
During its April 1, 2025, meeting, the Board of Supervisors ratified a tentative collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia 512 and the Loudoun County government,
- Loudoun County Public Schools Allocates $1.2 Million for Admin Building Renovations Amid Crumbling School Infrastructure
A recent decision by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) to allocate $1.2 million for renovations to the third floor of its administration building has sparked concern among parents, teachers, and community members. The move comes at a time when schools like Guilford Elementary are grappling with severe infrastructure issues, including mold, outdated classrooms, and deteriorating […]
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Unveils Budget Amendments to Keep Delivering for Students and Families, Bringing Direct Aid to Education Commitment to More Than $22 Billion Over the Biennium
For Immediate Release: December 13, 2024 Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces, “Keep Virginia Winning” Budget to Deliver on Critical Investments and Expand Tax Relief for Hardworking Virginians
- Virginia General Fund Revenues Complete Fiscal Year with $5.1 Billion in Excess Resources
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia’s general fund revenues ended fiscal year 2023 $3.0 billion over the official revenue forecast, generating $5.1 billion in excess resources for the year.
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces $90 Million in Grants to Develop Industrial Sites Across Commonwealth
Virginia Business Ready Sites Program helps attract new businesses by increasing portfolio of competitive project-ready sites RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a total of $90 million in Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) development grants for 21 sites across the Commonwealth.
- Virginia General Fund Finishes the Fiscal Year 2022 with Surplus of Nearly $2 Billion
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia ended the fiscal year 2022 with a $1.94 billion general fund revenue surplus. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, total revenue collections rose 16.3 percent, based on preliminary data.