The Virginia state Capitol in January, 2025. (Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)
The Virginia General Assembly will resume its 2025 legislative session Monday after a two-and-a-half-day delay caused by Richmond’s water crisis following a winter storm. Lawmakers briefly convened Wednesday to vote on procedural resolutions before recessing until Monday.
The disruption also postponed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address, originally scheduled for last Wednesday. The governor is now set to deliver his remarks at 10 a.m., 90 minutes after lawmakers officially reconvene to tackle a packed legislative agenda.
With high-profile debates expected on tax reform, education funding, abortion access, and energy policy, the delay adds pressure to an already condensed timeline during what would have been a 45-day session.
Legislative battles ahead in Richmond as session kicks off this week
House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, however, expressed confidence that despite the disruption lawmakers would finish their work on time.
“We are going to be able to get all of our work done on time,” Scott told reporters on Wednesday. “We might have to work on the weekends, so I look forward to coming in on a Saturday or Sunday to get things done if we have to. But I don’t anticipate extending the session by those two days.”
Scott added that lawmakers would need to double their efforts to address the legislature’s priorities. He emphasized that despite the unusual circumstances, the session offers an opportunity to continue making progress for Virginians.
“I’m excited about what we need to do to really unleash the potential in the commonwealth of Virginia,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, shared Scott’s optimism, assuring that lawmakers would remain productive as they prepared for the session to resume on Monday.
“We’re ready to work, and many of our members will be working in their offices, in their districts, throughout this time,” McDougle said Wednesday. “We’re continuing to hear from constituents, look at bills, prepare for the session, so we’re not slowing down at all. We plan to get the job done in the 45 days that the Constitution prescribes.”
This year’s legislative session marks a critical juncture for Youngkin, a Republican in his final full year as governor, as he faces a Democratic-controlled legislature. Lawmakers are set to tackle debates over tax policy, education funding, abortion access and energy infrastructure, among other priorities.
Youngkin is prioritizing tax reform, including plans to phase out the personal car tax and exempt tipped wages from income taxes, framing these measures as cost-of-living relief.
In education, Youngkin has proposed nearly $1 billion in new funding for scholarships, lab schools, and other initiatives, while Democrats focus on modernizing school facilities, capping tuition and raising teacher pay.
Abortion is another flashpoint, with Democrats pushing a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights and Youngkin seeking to cut state funding for certain abortions. Bipartisan support exists for improving maternal health through Medicaid expansion and workforce development for doulas and midwives.
Housing affordability and energy policy are also on the agenda. Democrats aim to boost renter protections and address racial bias in appraisals, while Republicans propose limiting investment firms from outbidding first-time homebuyers. Lawmakers will also explore expanding energy capacity to meet growing demand from data centers while weighing environmental concerns.
Efforts to establish a legal adult-use cannabis market are expected to resurface, but resistance from Youngkin, who previously vetoed similar bills, could stall progress.
With Democrats controlling both chambers, they are positioned to press their agenda on constitutional amendments and budget adjustments, while Youngkin must seek compromises to advance his priorities. The session will also shape early political maneuvering for the 2025 gubernatorial race, as both parties aim to energize their bases and limit the other’s successes.
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