Halftime in Richmond: Virginia lawmakers clash over taxes, health care and gun control

As Virginia’s General Assembly reaches “crossover” on Tuesday — the midpoint of the legislative session when bills move from one chamber to the other — lawmakers have been navigating a cycle defined by high-stakes policy battles, a public health emergency, and uncertainty over federal funding.

The 45-day session began under crisis conditions and with a two-and-a-half-day delay caused by Richmond’s water crisis following a winter storm that left thousands of residents without clean drinking water. 

A water main break, compounded by concerns over contamination, forced state officials and local leaders into emergency response mode. Legislators scrambled to address the crisis while also handling the usual political battles that come with divided government in Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s final full year in office.

President Donald Trump’s proposed federal spending freeze has added another layer of uncertainty to Virginia’s legislative session, with state lawmakers questioning its impact on key programs, particularly Medicaid. 

While the administration later assured that Medicare and Social Security would remain untouched, the lack of clarity on Medicaid funding has raised concerns among Democrats, who fear potential budget shortfalls that could jeopardize coverage for 630,000 Virginians.

Currently, Washington contributes 90% of the funding for the expansion population. The other 10% is the state’s responsibility, which in Virginia is paid by hospitals.

Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, noted that Virginia, like many states, is heavily reliant on federal funding for its programs. “A lot of state government programs rely, sometimes in large parts, on federal funding. And if Washington turns off the spigot, that’s a very painful environment downstream,” he said.

That uncertainty further complicates an already difficult political landscape in Richmond, where divided government often stymies major legislative action. 

“There may be particular areas of compromise,” Farnsworth added, pointing to the state’s $2 billion budget surplus, which could allow for tax cuts or increased education funding. However, he cautioned that beyond small adjustments to the budget, “prospects are not good for all that much bipartisan law making this month.”

One of the session’s most contentious debates has centered on Medicaid expansion. 

Senate Democrats, led by Sens. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, and Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, have pushed to remove a trigger mechanism that could automatically roll back Virginia’s Medicaid expansion if federal funding were to be reduced. 

Republicans, however, have resisted the change, citing fiscal concerns and arguing that the state should not commit to funding Medicaid without assurances from Washington.

With Virginia sitting on a significant budget surplus, some Democrats have floated using those funds as a safety net in case of federal cuts. But Youngkin and Republican lawmakers have signaled they have other priorities for the surplus, including tax cuts and increased education spending.

However, Youngkin’s push for more tax cuts, a cornerstone of his legislative agenda for this year, faced strong headwinds last week when a Democratic-led Senate subcommittee rejected or delayed several of his key proposals, opting to address them through budget negotiations instead. 

The panel, chaired by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, killed efforts to phase out Virginia’s car tax and exempt service tips from income taxes while postponing decisions on extending the state’s higher standard deduction and a partially refundable earned income tax credit (EITC).

But a Democratic measure to extend the standard deduction, sponsored by Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, is still moving through the House with bipartisan support, giving supporters of additional tax cuts a measure of optimism.

Youngkin’s marquee tax proposal — a car tax credit — was rejected outright, with Democrats questioning its long-term viability and narrow scope. Meanwhile, Republicans warned that failing to extend the higher standard deduction and earned income tax credit would lead to a tax hike for working Virginians when they expire in 2026. Despite the defeats, Lucas assured that tax relief would be addressed in the upcoming state budget negotiations.

Here’s a look at how some of the most notable legislation has fared at the session’s midpoint.

Election law overhauls blocked

In another high-profile battle, Republican efforts to roll back voting access faced strong opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Proposals from GOP lawmakers to reinstate strict photo ID requirements and shorten Virginia’s early voting period from 45 days to 10 were struck down along party lines. A companion effort in the Senate, which sought to reduce early voting for primaries from 45 to 14 days, also failed.

Meanwhile, Democrats advanced a bill allowing localities to adopt ranked-choice voting in mayoral and school board elections, a move Republicans criticized as unnecessary and confusing for voters. The measure is now headed to the House for consideration. 

Minimum wage increase moves forward

House Democrats passed a bill last week to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027, with a 50-46 vote in favor. Supporters of HB 1928, introduced by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, argue that the increase is crucial as the cost of living continues to rise, making it harder for families to make ends meet.

This isn’t the first attempt to boost wages for Virginia workers. A similar bill cleared both the House and Senate last year, only to be vetoed by Youngkin, blocking what Democrats say was a much-needed raise for countless workers.

“Raising the minimum wage is about people — it’s about families struggling to keep the lights on, parents working double shifts to afford childcare, and workers who keep Virginia running but are still left behind,” said House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth. “Raising it to $15 an hour by 2027 isn’t just an economic necessity, it’s a moral imperative.”

Democrats advance gun control measures

Democrats in Virginia are successfully advancing legislation to ban the sale, purchase, or transfer of assault firearms and large-capacity magazines. The Senate has already passed SB 1181, sponsored by Deeds while the House is expected to approve HB 1607, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax.

The bills would also prohibit individuals under 21 from possessing assault firearms and impose a three-year firearm ban for violators, with exceptions for antique and manually operated firearms made before July 1, 2025.

The Senate, in a 20-18 vote, also passed SB 881, sponsored by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, which bans the sale, transfer, or possession of unserialized “ghost guns” and undetectable plastic firearms. 

SB 886, sponsored by Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudon, advanced in the Senate by a 21-18 vote. The measure classifies “trigger activators” as devices that modify semi-automatic firearms to replicate automatic fire or substantially boost their firing rate. The bill seeks to regulate these devices to curb misuse, promote firearm safety, and mitigate potential dangers.

Despite Democratic momentum, Youngkin is expected to veto these and similar proposals, as he has opposed similar gun control measures in the past.

Tackling maternal health

Both parties have prioritized maternal health this session, with bills advancing to expand coverage and improve care.

HB 1614 by Del. Adele McClure, D-Arlington, aims to include postpartum doula care in state health insurance passed the House and could reach Youngkin’s desk. In the Senate, Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Suffolk, is also pushing a proposal to create maternal health coordinators in Virginia’s health districts, a plan she highlighted last month alongside Youngkin while sharing her own postpartum health scare.

With bipartisan momentum and Youngkin’s support, some measures are expected to become law. However, SB 740, sponsored by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, which requires unconscious bias training for medical license renewals, faces challenges after Youngkin vetoed a similar proposal last year.

House backs CTE teacher expansion, school nutrition reforms

The House unanimously approved a measure last week aimed at expanding the pipeline of career and technical education (CTE) instructors. HB 2018 directs the Virginia Board of Education to issue provisional licenses to individuals seeking to teach in CTE fields, even if they have not yet met all licensing requirements. 

In another unanimous vote, the House advanced HB 1910, which seeks to improve school nutrition by banning artificial food dyes in student meals. Research has linked synthetic dyes to behavioral and developmental issues in children. 

Bills advance to curb speeding, protect crosswalks

The House advanced a measure last week in an 81-16 vote that would allow drivers convicted of reckless driving for exceeding 100 mph to participate in a program to retain their licenses. Under HB 2096, eligible drivers must install an intelligent speed assistance system in their vehicles, preventing them from exceeding the speed limit. 

Meanwhile, the Senate approved  SB 1223 in a 24-15 vote, moving the legislation to the House. The bill aims to enhance pedestrian safety by cracking down on drivers who ignore crossings and stop signs in school zones, highway work areas, and high-risk intersections. It permits law enforcement to install cameras and monitoring systems in these locations to capture violations. 

Tenant rights legislation gains ground

Renter protections are advancing in the legislature, including extended grace periods for missed rent and stricter rent increase notifications. Advocates say lengthening the grace period from five to 14 days would give renters more time to receive paychecks and avoid eviction.

While both chambers have moved forward on grace period extensions, anti-rent gouging efforts face hurdles. HB 2175 by Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, passed the committee along party lines, but a similar proposal by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, was defeated.

Other housing measures are progressing, including the bipartisan “5,000 Families” rental assistance program and a bill allowing localities to approve accessory dwelling units. 

Meanwhile, Republicans have joined the affordability debate, with Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, pushing to curb large investment firms from buying homes — a plan now merged with legislation by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico.

Grappling with history

The Virginia House has passed legislation to strip tax-exempt status from Confederate-linked groups, advancing it to the Senate, where it is expected to pass as well. However, Gov. Glenn Youngkin will likely veto it, as he did with a similar measure last year.

House Bill 1699, sponsored by Del. Alex Askew, D-Virginia Beach, would revoke tax breaks for groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Askew called it a matter of fairness, but Youngkin argues targeting specific organizations sets a dangerous precedent.

Askew vowed to keep fighting, saying, “When [Youngkin’s] term ends, we’ll bring this bill back.”

Meanwhile, Republicans pushed to protect Confederate monuments, but their efforts fell short. 

A bill from Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, to restrict local governments from removing war memorials, was never taken up in the House. Williams argued the measure would prevent the “selective erasure of history.”

Unclear future for skill games, gaming oversight and cannabis

Legislation to regulate skill games, SB 1322, has been sent to budget talks. Sponsored by Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, it proposes a $1,200 monthly tax on gaming machines, with most revenue funding education. While similar efforts generated $138 million under former Gov. Ralph Northam, Youngkin vetoed a past version, leaving its fate uncertain.

A Senate panel also delayed SB1287, which would create the Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate casinos, sports betting, and charitable gaming. Supporters argue Virginia needs a centralized approach as gambling expands.

Meanwhile, SB 970 by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, to establish a retail marijuana market, cleared committee. Sales would begin in May 2026 under state oversight. But with Youngkin vetoing a similar bill last year, its future remains in doubt.

With the budget still up for negotiation, the final stretch of the session is likely to center on spending decisions that could shape Youngkin’s legacy. 

Democrats are expected to push for Medicaid protections and increased investments in public services, while Youngkin and Republican lawmakers will continue their fight for tax cuts and conservative education policies.

Farnsworth, the political scientist, said that the deep partisan divide has made major compromises unlikely. “This session will make it very clear where the two parties stand, and that they stand at a great distance from each other,” he said. 

While both sides have put forward proposals to energize their respective bases, Farnsworth predicted that “we’ll walk away from this session in all likelihood with very little progress compared to previous sessions.”

Charlotte Rene Woods and Nathaniel Cline contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on Virginia Mercury and is republished here with permission. Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence.