Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed over 400 bills over the last four years, more than the previous six governors’ veto totals combined. The bulk of those vetoes were in the last two years, when Democrats held narrow majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. But power is shifting in Virginia. Come January, Democrats will enjoy a trifecta of power in both chambers of the legislature after significant wins on Election Day. That includes a sizable majority in the House of Delegates, and the governor’s mansion as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger takes office. That means Democratic General Assembly members will likely try to push forward legislation that has historically been vetoed by Youngkin, such as collective bargaining rights for government employees, paid family leave and raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour. That doesn’t mean a check on Democratic-sponsored legislation has totally vanished. “The biggest limiting factor on getting things done is going to be the budget,” said Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell. “And Virginia’s finances are a total mess.” Surovell said that President Donald Trump’s budget resolution that passed earlier this year would mean substantial impacts to Virginia’s budget, including hundreds of millions in additional required spending to programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “We’re going to be starting off the budget in a deep hole trying to maintain existing services,” Surovell said. “A lot of new policies require money, so that really limits your ability to affect big change quickly.” House Speaker Don Scott also projected restraint for the 2026 legislative session. “You can’t overreach,” he told reporters at an event Wednesday at the General Assembly Building. “We have to be restrained. We have to be wise with the gift that the voters have given us to govern.” Scott did not specify what legislation Democrats would prioritize. Surovell said to expect legislation raising the minimum wage, attempting to increase access to affordable housing and reforming higher education governance. The legislature will also likely pass for the second time four constitutional amendments enshrining reproductive rights, same sex marriage, voting rights for felons who have concluded their prison sentences and allowing the General Assembly to redraw congressional maps. Once the legislature has passed those resolutions twice, they head to the public for a vote. When Democrats took control of the legislature in 2020, holding control of the General Assembly and governor’s office for the first time since 1993, it was a watershed moment for progressive priorities such as gun control and decriminalization of marijuana. Democratic legislators from Hampton Roads said next year they plan to introduce or reintroduce legislation they think will fare better under a Spanberger administration. State Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, said his priorities in the 2026 session will include aligning Virginia Beach’s city charter with a single-member district-based system. Voters supported the system in a charter change ballot referendum, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. Previous attempts by legislators, including Rouse, to codify the system with the city’s charter were vetoed by the governor. “That is at the top of the list of things to do,” Rouse said. “Now, to have a governor that will actually sign it and listen to the will of the people makes a big difference.” Rouse rattled off a list of other priorities, too, including ensuring fair pay for teachers, funding a toxic exposure grant for first responders and addressing sea level rise. Rouse has also carried legislation in the past that would establish a retail marijuana market. Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, also plans to support efforts for a regulated recreational marijuana retail market in Virginia as a source of revenue for the commonwealth. She also said she would support raising the income tax bracket for high earners to help find revenue for schools. “I would love to be pushing a millionaire tax,” she said. Del. Shelly Simonds, D-Newport News, said she might reintroduce a bill passed out of the legislature with bipartisan support that would allow for more fishing of blue catfish. She said she would talk with colleagues on both sides of the aisle about appetite for that legislation. “The governor really surprised us all when he vetoed that bill,” she said. “Blue catfish represent about 80% of the biomass in the Chesapeake Bay, and they’re just gobbling up everything.” Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, said he will revive legislation vetoed by Youngkin that would have provided first-time home buyers with a grant. “When you look at what voters talked to us about, the first thing was always about affordability,” Feggans said. “Everything goes back to housing.” He also plans to reintroduce a bill vetoed by the governor that would have established a grant for offshore wind workforce training development in Hampton Roads. Staff reporter Stacy Parker contributed to this report. Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com
