(The Center Square) — Though Virginia’s 2025 legislative session has been delayed due to problems with Richmond’s water system brought on by the weekend winter storm, Republicans and Democrats have clear goals for what they hope to accomplish in this session.
Republicans
Republicans are narrowly outnumbered in the House of Delegates and the state Senate. Still, they do have Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who, in the last session, especially demonstrated that he is not afraid to use his veto powers if Democrats can push through partisan legislation he opposes. Youngkin has introduced a budget with several key Republican initiatives.
Budget Initiatives
Tax reform
As he has tried to do every year with varying degrees of success, Youngkin included multiple tax reforms in his latest budget proposal. As Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump proposed to do at the federal level during election season, Youngkin is advocating to eliminate taxes on tips statewide. He also wants to keep the Virginia standard deduction permanent (currently $8,500 for individuals and $17,000 for joint filers) and to once again “modernize” the commonwealth’s tax code – this time by moving to market-based sourcing for “income taxes paid by our service sector companies.”
He has also proposed eliminating the state’s “most hated tax,” the car tax. However, recognizing it plays a significant role in localities’ tax revenues and that its repeal failed last year, the governor has also developed a backup plan: Refundable income tax credits covered for the next three years by surplus dollars deposited into a car tax relief fund.
Sanctuary cities
Republicans have been increasingly vocal in recent months about sanctuary cities in Virginia compromising general public safety. Youngkin included a provision in his budget that would withhold funding from jurisdictions that refuse to fully comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers.
Other public safety measures
Attorney General Jason Miyares has voiced his support for a law that would ensure people convicted of certain attempted serious crimes won’t be able to earn time off their sentences any faster than those convicted of successfully carrying out such crimes.
Democrats
Though Republicans have the governor, Democrats have the majority in the General Assembly and consequently, majorities on both money committees.
Constitutional amendments
Democrats are hoping to enshrine abortion and marriage equality in the state constitution, as well as the eventual restoration of voting rights for convicted felons. As of mid-October, according to the National Council of State Legislatures, Virginia is one of just 10 states where conviction of certain crimes elicits permanent denial of voting access. In the commonwealth, anyone convicted of a felony is currently barred from voting indefinitely unless they can obtain restoration directly from the governor or “other appropriate authority.”
Amending the state constitution is a multi-step process, however, and would ultimately need to be passed by a voter referendum.
Gun violence
Democrats are pressing forward with their efforts to tighten up Virginia gun laws despite Youngkin vetoing several pieces of gun legislation at the end of the last session. Gun violence prevention group Everytown ranks Virginia 15th in the nation for the strength of its gun laws, and Democrats would like to see it move higher up the list with laws banning assault weapons, ghost guns, all rapid-fire devices and enhancing background checks.
Energy and the environment
Virginia’s energy generation and transmission have been the subject of much discussion in recent years, as energy demands are growing exponentially with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and data centers. Democrats will want to maintain a commitment to the goals encoded by the Virginia Clean Economy Act as the state attempts to meet increased demand, while Republicans may try to reduce or amend its mandates.
Other important topics
Increased education funding, affordable housing and a renewed push for a marijuana retail market from Democrats are just a few hot topics that will likely see much debate this session.
