Virginia budget heads to governor’s desk after General Assembly vote

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Inside the Virginia statehouse, a pair of votes to finally approve a state budget.

Monday, the house and senate both advanced the spending plan, which now goes to the governor’s desk for consideration.

“The two biggest things we do in the budget is education and healthcare and this is a budget for kids, for education and for making sure people have access to affordable healthcare,” said State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, (D) 16th District.

Under the budget, Virginia would add a monthly electricity consumption tax on data centers.

“This budget starts the process of ensuring that data centers pay their fair share. I think it’s a first step but it’s an important for step into getting control over this industry and making sure that Virginia is prioritizing people and not data centers,” said State Sen. VanValkenburg.

Lawmakers estimate the tax could bring in nearly $600 million for the general fund.

“Failing to make the data centers pay their fair share, increasing legislator’s salaries by 150% and then also something that was concerning to me was creating a Colorado style marijuana retail policy,” said State Sen. Glen Sturtevant, (R) 12th District.

The sale of recreational marijuana and the establishment of a recreational market is in the budget.

Governor Abigail Spanberger originally vetoed the measure in May before a joint agreement was reached last week.

The budget would help create a Cannabis Control Authority Enterprise Fund.

The state expects about $16.1 million in net profits in Fiscal Year 2028.

The budget also allows localities the option to hold a referendum for an additional 1% sales tax to fund school construction.

Lawmakers have been told to keep Monday, June 29 open, to come back again and take up ”technical” amendments to the budget by the governor.

“And I’m surprised at that but it’s really par for the course with how Governor Spanberger and her entire administration have handled this entire budget process,” said State Sen. Sturtevant."

If lawmakers have to come back next week, they’ll have to work fast with June 30 being the deadline to get the budget done.