Virginia House of Delegates leaders presented their updated budget proposal Friday, revamping their $74 billion funding plan based on a new revenue forecast ordered by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month. The House budget no longer includes environmental standards that data centers would have to meet to keep the exemption, which saves the industry nearly $2 billion annually.

Hours after the new House budget was unveiled, Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, divulged an updated Senate budget proposal, with scant details, on social media.

While Lucas didn鈥檛 outline the particulars of the plan, she said it included a 4% raise for teachers, $345 million for health and human services initiatives including food assistance for low-income Virginians and a $100 鈥渇air share鈥� rebate for individuals.

Here鈥檚 how each chamber plans to address key issues in the next two-year state budget.

Chambers still at odds over data centers

The data center sales and use tax exemption remains the biggest bottle neck on state budget negotiations.. The state currently forgoes an average of $1.6 billion annually by allowing the industry to not pay the 5.3% state tax on their computer equipment and server racks.

Lucas and some other lawmakers are pushing to end the exemption that began as an incentive to draw the industry to the commonwealth in 2008 and cost the state about $1.5 million at the time.

Lawmakers in the House of Delegates, including Speaker Don Scott, consider the exemption a strong driver for union electrical and construction jobs, whose workers build the facilities that make major investments on the local level. The House鈥檚 previous budget would keep the exemption in place and require data centers to use cleaner back up generators, improve their energy efficiency, and take other environmental steps to keep the tax break.

The House鈥檚 updated budget preserves the exemption through 2035 and eliminates the environmental standards. Instead, the House proposed creating a commission made up of legislators and stakeholders to examine data centers鈥� energy use and how the industry impacts the state and local tax revenues.

A similar report was released by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission in 2024. But Spanberger, who supports the House鈥檚 plan, said the new commission would dig deeper and produce more in-depth reports that would help drive policy decisions in the next regular session of the General Assembly.

Concerning the proposed commission鈥檚 focus, Spanberger said Friday, 鈥淲e want a little bit more help in understanding if we鈥檙e making good choices for our communities. (Such as) rules of the road, best practices, whether it鈥檚 setbacks or noise reductions, limits on diesel generators, requirements for battery backup.鈥�

The Senate has not released the full context of their new updated budget proposal but it includes a 鈥渢iered state impact fee,鈥� Lucas said in her social media statement. The fee would be placed on the facilities according to their generator type and their energy capacity. Lucas said the system would generate an estimated $1.7 billion in tax revenue for the state but didn鈥檛 detail how. Her office did not have further details of the proposal available for clarification on Monday.

Lucas also said the new Senate budget includes funding for a work group to study the tax exemption and other potential protections for ratepayers and local communities, similar to the house鈥檚 proposed commission.

Cannabis market still hazy

After Spanberger vetoed bipartisan legislation to create a retail market for recreational cannabis, House lawmakers said Friday that the proposal has been added to their updated budget.

Few details were available Friday about the weed market plan, spearheaded by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, but he confirmed 鈥渨e have a deal, and it鈥檚 just a matter of finishing the legal edits鈥� of the retail market framework. Krizek said more details would be released in a joint press conference with Spanberger on Tuesday.

House lawmakers also added 鈥�$865,000 each year from the general fund and four positions to support workload increases鈥� in the The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services鈥� Office of Weights and Measures to their updated spending plan, 鈥渞elated to the establishment of an adult-use recreational cannabis market.鈥�

The overview of the new Senate budget shared by Lucas didn鈥檛 include the cannabis framework. However, the chamber passed SB 542, the companion measure to the House bill which would create the marketplace. And the Senate 鈥檚 two-year budget pitched before the end of this year鈥檚 legislative session includes over $12 million for the operation of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority over two years.

Navigating healthcare hurdles

Because Virginia and other states are required to reduce their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program error rate to 6% by next year, House lawmakers earmarked $130 million to fund new cost share benefit allotments.

Sometimes errors in overpaying or underpaying households arise from paperwork mistakes by government staff or outdated information from beneficiaries. A federal law passed last summer mandates states drop their error rates.

That same law also entails verification changes to Medicaid, which is estimated to put thousands of Virginians at risk of losing coverage and add financial strains to hospitals.

These shifts are why the state budget proposals from both chambers include money to help streamline compliance for social service workers around the state and mitigate insurance drop offs.

The new proposal from the House maintains a $2.4 billion increase to fully fund Medicaid and Children鈥檚 Health Insurance Program forecasts. It would also add $39 million to partially restore proposed cuts to Medicaid and CHIP.

House lawmakers earmarked $3 million to support social service staff compliance with the new SNAP and Medicaid federal standards.

Where a previous version of the House budget entailed a $5 million increase in funding for the state鈥檚 free clinics, the new draft increased it to $13 million. An already 鈥渟trained safety net,鈥� free clinics are bracing for an influx in uninsured patients as people lose Medicaid or ACA and are a key partner for hospitals to reduce caseloads in emergency rooms.

A holdover from the chamber鈥檚 previous proposal, lawmakers would direct $79.1 million towards a state-level version of the expired Affordable Care Act subsidies that Congress let expire last year.

鈥淲e鈥檝e never had this much of an onus on the state before,鈥� Henrico Democratic Del. Rodney Willett, who chairs the House鈥檚 Health and Human Services Committee, said in a previous interview. 鈥淚t will take a lot of work with the people, processes and systems to go with that.鈥�

Over 33,000 Virginians and counting have dropped their ACA insurance so far this year amid rising premiums. Of Virginia鈥檚 roughly 400,000 ACA clients, about 100,000 have been estimated to have lost the subsidies.

Likewise, the Senate has its ideas for addressing the federal fallout too.

Its newest version still includes $200 million for a state-level ACA subsidy along with a special enrollment period for people who dropped off and want to sign back up for insurance.

Health and human services work in the state would receive $345 million and would address a range of programs, from Medicaid to SNAP to developmental disability waiver rates.

It鈥檚 unclear how that will be divided up as the Senate had not fully released its next proposed version of the budget by the time of this publication. Initially, the chamber had settled on $135 million for SNAP, with lawmakers assuming the state cannot drop below a 10% error rate.

More recently, the chamber suggested $190 million to offset future rate increases in state employee health insurance premiums.

Housing support boosted

As a flurry of housing bills passed the legislature and were signed into law by the governor, both budget proposals entail funding to help get them off the ground 鈥� but they differ in how that should happen.

The House鈥檚 new draft would invest an additional $20 million into the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. The program offers loans for low-income housing projects and provides grants to organizations that serve unhoused people. The additional boost brings the House鈥檚 earmark for the fund up to $195 million over the next two years.

The House also wants to add $14 million over the next two years to support organizations that work with unhoused populations or help people at risk of homelessness.

As state lawmakers have refined Virginia鈥檚 Eviction Reduction Program, the House proposes $11.5 million in new resources for it, bringing total support to $18.5 million over the biennium.

On housing, the preview of the Senate鈥檚 forthcoming new budget draft entails $110 million for housing-related initiatives 鈥渋ncluding eviction reduction, weatherization programs, and Housing Trust Fund deposits.鈥�

K-12, school construction funding reflects uncertainty

Local governments and school leaders are waiting on the budget to be finalized to decide how they will be able to cover teacher pay raises, and how much those raises will be. The legislature鈥檚 dueling spending plans also address another key concern: covering construction and modernization costs for the upcoming school year.

The House鈥檚 revised budget proposes a 3% raise for state and state-supported employees, including teachers, over the next two years, while the new Senate budget includes a 4% increase aimed at moving Virginia toward the national average teacher salary.

鈥淲ith inflation being over 4%, a 3% raise does not really end up being a raise, it鈥檚 a pay cut in practice, and the average teacher would lose money in buying power,鈥� Carol Bauer, president of the Virginia Education Association, said.

In the area of school construction, the House鈥檚 revised proposal includes an additional $299 million for school construction grants, bringing the biennial total to $519 million.

In contrast, Lucas鈥� overview of the updated Senate budget did not mention school construction grants. In February, the body approved a plan to allocate $172 million from the Literary Fund to the School Construction Fund for construction and renovation grants.

However, the Senate鈥檚 plans for the grants and the School Construction Fund remain uncertain, because its funding relied on expected casino tax revenues under the chamber鈥檚 previous budget.

Additionally, the House is now proposing to move the $172 million originally from the Literary Fund to cover teacher retirement costs, adding to the unpredictability.

Both chambers still proposed expanding a 1% sales tax to pay for construction costs; however, the House version goes further, permitting jurisdictions in Planning District 8, or Northern Virginia, to use these funds for transportation projects to address public transit needs in that region.

Among other notable budget moves, the House announced that the previously proposed $400 million one-time flexible funding was removed and replaced by a $98.4 million one-time supplement for at-risk student programs.

The amended House budget returned $10.1 million in unused laboratory school funds to the state鈥檚 main funding pool.

Both budget proposals are similar in that they fund the state鈥檚 special education line item: the House proposes $148.4 million, compared to the $150 million Lucas mentioned in her letter about the Senate鈥檚 revamped plan.

The delayed completion of the budget 鈥減uts hardship on school districts trying to get contracts out, puts a hardship on folks knowing what their actual compensation is going to be for the next year, and so we honestly would like things to get settled,鈥� Bauer said.

House meets this week, Senate the next

The House reconvenes Thursday and the Senate is scheduled to meet in Richmond June 22. The chambers must reconcile their spending plans and approve a new budget before the June 30 deadline, or a state government shutdown 鈥� the first in the state鈥檚 history 鈥� will ensue.

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The updated spending plan no longer includes environmental standards data centers would need to meet in order to be exempted from the state鈥檚 sales and use tax, an issue that has stalled budget negotiations for weeks and sparked speculation about a government shutdown if the parties can鈥檛 finalize the budget by June 30.

鈥淭his budget comes through for Virginians in a real and meaningful way without introducing a single new tax,鈥� Torian said in a statement. 鈥淚t anticipates future federal funding cuts by establishing a reserve 鈥� so when Washington turns its back again on Virginians we are prepared to step in.鈥�

The dueling House and Senate budget proposals differ over whether data centers should continue to be exempt from the state鈥檚 5.3% sales and use tax. State data shows the industry saves about $1.6 billion annually through the exemption, money Senate lawmakers say the state should recoup by ending the tax break.

Data centers have to routinely upgrade and replace pricey computer equipment, which is the bulk of where they save with the exemption.

The new House proposal removes the that would have mandated developers limit data centers from co-locating with power facilities that emit carbon emissions.

The previous proposal also outlined energy efficiency requirements for the digital warehouses, including using newer backup generator models that emit less carbon.

The instead proposes creating a commission of stakeholders and lawmakers to study the impacts and benefits of the data center industry in Virginia.

The commission would be required to report to the General Assembly by Nov. 1 on ways to ensure energy demands don鈥檛 put extra costs onto residential utility customers. The commission would also scrutinize local tax revenue impacts and 鈥渙ther ways to generate revenue from the industry鈥�.

鈥�(It will be a) full investigation into energy costs, financial impacts,鈥� air quality, water conservation, renewable energy, and community impacts,鈥� Scott said, 鈥淪o the 2027 General Assembly can pass real national reform. Or if the governor would like, we could come back right after that report 鈥� for a special session.鈥�

Scott has staunchly supported preserving data centers鈥� exemption, he said,听 because of the local tax revenue the centers generate and the that come with the construction of the facilities.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has also publicly supported keeping the exemption, saying the state should 鈥渉onor its commitments鈥� to businesses that have located in the commonwealth. She praised the updated House budget on Friday.

鈥淭his proposal creates a clear roadmap for evaluating the impact of the data center industry in Virginia and for reassessing the state鈥檚 incentives into the future, with a focus on fairness to ratepayers and the needs of local communities,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement.

Senate members鈥� response to the updated House budget was unclear Friday afternoon, with no comment from Finance Chairwoman Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth.

Lucas has been adamant about ending the tax exemption for data centers since the Senate spending plan was introduced earlier this year.

鈥淚 want (the money) to go towards hard working families. We鈥檝e got people who are struggling to put food on the table, to put a roof over their heads, pay for their car payment, their kids school. I want that money to go back to them,鈥� Lucas said then.

The House is slated to return to Richmond to debate this proposal on June 18, while the Senate, who has not yet released an updated budget proposal, will return on June 22. If a budget is not passed by the end of the month, state services and employee pay will be interrupted.

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Rocovich stated in a four-page letter addressed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth that he will not resign before his term ends on June 30, 2027. There was no sign of him at the board鈥檚 committee meetings on Monday in Blacksburg.

Spanberger鈥檚 decision is the latest effort by her administration to shake up governing boards at Virginia鈥檚 colleges and universities, amid concerns within the higher education community about the politicization of public university governing bodies. She recently appointed four new members to Tech鈥檚 governing board.

Spanberger removed Rocovich, citing 鈥渕isconduct鈥� in a letter sent last Wednesday, but the letter did not specify the details of Rocovich鈥檚 alleged violations, only stating that the findings provided 鈥渟ufficient cause鈥� for his removal. Rocovich pushed back on that claim.

鈥淚 was appointed to serve a term, I have served that term faithfully, and I intend to fulfill my obligations to the students, faculty, and people of Virginia who depend upon the proper governance of this great university,鈥� Rocovich wrote. 鈥淕overnor Spanberger鈥檚 letter failed to state my specific cause, as the law requires. I am confident she will find no such grounds.鈥�

Board member Will Holtzman, who was appointed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and will complete his term next year, said he was 鈥渄isappointed鈥� with the governor鈥檚 decision.

鈥淚 think all of us were disappointed because I think it鈥檚 a unanimous feeling of our group that he has done a phenomenal job, and I didn鈥檛 understand at all why she removed him, and I don鈥檛 think there was any cause for it,鈥� Holzman said.

Lawmakers have also urged the governor to explicitly state her reasons for the termination.

Senate Republican Caucus Chair Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, said Rocovich deserves 鈥渇airness,鈥� and emphasized that transparency is 鈥渘ot optional鈥� concerning the governor鈥檚 decision to boot Rocovich from the board.

鈥淲hat makes this decision especially disappointing is that Governor Spanberger campaigned on a promise to depoliticize higher education governance and to reduce executive involvement in the affairs of Virginia鈥檚 universities,鈥� Obenshain said in a statement on Friday. 鈥淩emoving the sitting rector of Virginia Tech without publicly stating a lawful basis appears inconsistent with those commitments.鈥�

Edward Baine, executive vice president of utility operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, who was appointed to replace Rocovich, attended the first committee meeting on Monday.

He did not comment on his appointment on Monday morning, but asked Provost Julie Ross about the university鈥檚 efforts to address enrollment, which the board expressed interest in growing.

Rocovich鈥檚 dismissal followed the board鈥檚 vote to grant an exception allowing him to serve a third one-year term as rector during the search for Virginia Tech鈥檚 next president, following Tim Sands鈥檚 departure in April, Cardinal 91欧美激情 reported last month.

The board minutes noted that Rocovich was elected rector because no other nominees were available and he was willing to serve.

A native of Roanoke and a Virginia Tech graduate, Rocovich founded a law firm and specializes in taxation as well as trusts and estates law. He served on the board of visitors from 1997 to 2005, was appointed for a term from 2010 to 2014, and was rector from 2002 to 2004.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Rocovich has donated to several Republican campaigns and candidates, including formerRepublican gubernatorial nominee and Spanberger rival Winsome Earle-Sears.

In his letter, Rocovich criticized the termination and the governor, expressing his 鈥渄isappointment鈥� with her use of a 鈥渟ubordinate鈥� to deliver the message, which he said was the opposite of the respect he showed Spanberger by calling her directly to discuss the board.

鈥淰irginia Tech deserves better than to be made a political football,鈥� Rocovich wrote. 鈥淚 have given too much of my life to this institution to stand by silently while its independence is threatened鈥攔egardless of which party holds the governor鈥檚 office.鈥�

The governor and attorney general鈥檚 offices did not immediately respond for comment on whether they will enforce the termination.

The board鈥檚 committee meetings continued on Monday. The board will have a full meeting on Tuesday. The body will vote on a new rector and vice rector to replace Rocovich and Sandy Davis, who died on March 17.

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The House of Delegates is scheduled to reconvene its special session June 18 at 10 a.m., followed by the Senate on June 22 at noon, as budget that can pass both chambers and reach Gov. Abigail Spanberger鈥檚 desk before the June 30 deadline.

Failure to enact a budget before the new fiscal year begins would result in a government shutdown, creating fiscal uncertainty for state agencies, local governments and school divisions that depend on state funding. Spanberger has repeatedly warned against allowing negotiations to extend beyond the deadline.

鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely unacceptable if the General Assembly would allow for the state to go past July 1,鈥� .

Lawmakers have remained at since the regular 2026 General Assembly session ended without a budget, despite Democrats controlling both chambers of the legislature. A special session in April also ended .

The biggest sticking point is a Senate-backed to begin the state鈥檚 sales and use tax exemption for data centers before it expires nine years from now.

Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, has argued the fast-growing industry places increasing demands on Virginia鈥檚 electrical grid and water resources while producing relatively few long-term jobs.

Spanberger and have opposed ending the incentive prematurely, arguing it could damage Virginia鈥檚 reputation with businesses and discourage future investment.

The tax exemption was approved in 2008 and is authorized through 2035. Lawmakers originally estimated it would reduce state revenue by about $1.5 million annually. Today, its value is estimated at nearly $2 billion a year, as Virginia has become the world鈥檚 largest data center market.

Spanberger said she is open to discussions about what happens after 2035.

鈥淭here are efforts afoot in the General Assembly, as it relates to the budget, to ensure that data centers are paying their fair share, as I think everyone broadly agrees is necessary,鈥� Spanberger in mid-April. 鈥滱nd so that will continue to play out in those negotiations.鈥�

But the governor said she opposes changing the policy before the exemption lapses.

鈥淚f Virginia were to take an adversarial stance towards any particular industry, it sends the wrong signal broadly, and we鈥檙e already seeing it with the decision to move away from the tax abatement,鈥� she in an interview published last week.

鈥淚t is the absolute prerogative of the General Assembly to look towards the future and to have conversations about incentives they do or do not want to give into the future.鈥�

She also warned that ending the incentive early could invite legal challenges.

鈥淎s governor, I鈥檓 not going to break a contract that the state has signed 鈥� one, because who鈥檚 going to fund those lawsuits when we have to defend ourselves from broken contracts?鈥� Spanberger said.

The dispute has put the governor at odds with Lucas, one of the Senate鈥檚 most powerful members.

, formerly Twitter, Lucas blamed the administration and House Democrats for the continued stalemate.

鈥淭he Governor and the House are the ones that are gambling with our future by allowing the data centers to expand without concern for power, water, or paying their fair share of taxes,鈥� Lucas wrote.

鈥淭he Governor should be honest and tell the public what she won鈥檛 do 鈥� she won鈥檛 tax billion dollar corporations to provide long term revenue to help pay for K12 and public safety and to backfill the federal cuts from Trump.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the budget hold up!! Once again, the Governor is wrong on the policy and knows Virginians will cook her if there is a government shutdown.鈥�

Lucas has repeatedly defended the Senate proposal during budget discussions.

At a Senate Finance Committee meeting in May, the state should not continue providing the incentive without additional policy changes.

鈥淒ata centers will employ very few permanent jobs for a sizable tax giveaway,鈥� Lucas said.

鈥淭his is imperative to encourage responsible growth in the commonwealth to protect our electric grid and natural resources, while also ensuring hard working Virginians are not asked to pick up higher utility costs to fund a higher share of our existing core services,鈥� she added.

Despite the disagreement, Lucas said at the time that she expects lawmakers to reach a deal before the new fiscal year begins.

鈥淰irginia will have a budget by June 30,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e will have to get this right for Virginians.鈥�

Meanwhile, state officials are preparing to aid negotiations.

Earlier this month, state finance officials to roll out a revised revenue forecast that will include projections through fiscal year 2031. The administration said the updated forecast is intended to give budget conferees a clearer picture of the state鈥檚 fiscal outlook.

鈥淲hen making long-term budget commitments, it is important that policymakers have the most current and accurate information available,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement. 鈥淭his updated forecast will help provide budget conferees and the public with greater confidence as negotiations continue on the commonwealth鈥檚 next two-year budget.鈥�

The request came as Virginia Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles that parts of the state鈥檚 economy are showing signs of weakness.

During last month鈥檚 meeting of the Senate鈥檚 money committee, Sickles pointed to slower job growth, persistent inflation and declining consumer confidence, even as state revenues continue to exceed expectations.

Those stronger revenues have given negotiators additional room as they work toward a budget agreement before July 1.

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The focus on reinvesting express lane revenue is reflected in the estimated $46.5 million the commonwealth expects to generate from its express lanes, which are designed to mitigate congestion through alternative traffic lanes.

The Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation said in a statement that one of its core goals is maximizing the benefits and value of Virginia鈥檚 existing infrastructure, including express lanes in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Rising operating and labor costs threaten the stability of transit funding in Virginia, underscoring the urgency of reinvesting toll revenue into public transportation.

鈥淕overnor (Abigail) Spanberger has clearly said that affordability is a primary goal for this administration,鈥� the office stated. 鈥淥ffering affordable transportation choices looks different across Virginia and for different Virginians. But for much of urban and suburban Virginia 鈥� one way of providing transportation affordability means expanding fast and reliable transit options.鈥�

The , operated in partnership with the commonwealth and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for the past 10 years, has helped take cars off the road and move commuters onto express lanes.

The program also invests toll revenue to improve transportation options and reduce congestion, including transit.

鈥淭here鈥檚 an incredible benefit of putting express lanes and transit together,鈥� said Kate Mattice, NVTC executive director, during the May 19 Commonwealth Transportation Board work session.

鈥淭he ability to take 50 people who otherwise would be in a car, either in the general purpose lanes or in those express lanes paying tolls, could be sitting in a single bus. And so the program that we have here is a way to effectively remove vehicles, which means both for the general purpose lanes as well as the express lanes is the ability to be moving things more reliably.鈥�

Arlington County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt de Ferranti told the board during last week鈥檚 work session that transportation is about 鈥渢he people.鈥�

鈥淭here are many residents in different parts of the commonwealth who are walking, biking, or taking transit and the buses,鈥� de Ferranti said. 鈥淲e certainly saw it through COVID that so many of the heroes in our community were taking the bus and Metro.鈥�

As government interest in using toll funds for public transit grows, the Virginia Department of Transportation has pushed back on cost-related objections by noting that most trips are toll-free because of HOV and transit exemptions.

Data shows 55% of users pay no toll on Interstate 66 inside the Beltway Express Lanes, meaning more than half of trips are toll-free. Similarly, 55% pay no toll during morning hours on I-95 express lanes from Exit 166 to Exit 169 in Fairfax County.

Other concerns include whether express lanes are beneficial and whether drivers improperly switch their Flex Pass to HOV mode to avoid tolls. A Flex Pass allows drivers to save on lane use or ride for free when enough passengers are in the vehicle.

VDOT said it is adding more cameras and automated enforcement to detect misuse.

On the other hand, the agency said express lanes offer 鈥漵ignificant benefits for economic competitiveness and travel reliability鈥� by reducing travel times, incentivizing carpooling and managing congestion through pricing.

鈥淓xpress lanes work best when many of the people in them ride in carpools or buses,鈥� the secretary鈥檚 office stated. 鈥淲e will work with stakeholders in our existing express lanes, and the soon-to-open lanes in Hampton Roads, to maximize the benefits by maximizing carpooling and transit use.鈥�

The board took no action on the presentation but instructed staff to improve communication about how express lanes work and to avoid placing them in every location.

鈥淚 think as we think about I-81 and other projects in the future, maybe we need to give more consideration to using express lanes where that makes sense,鈥� board member Raymond Smoot said on May 19. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 make sense everywhere obviously, but this has been very insightful.鈥�

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鈥淚t鈥檚 something that you don鈥檛 necessarily notice, or don鈥檛 notice when it鈥檚 missing 鈥� until you need it,鈥� she said.

As a state lawmaker, she knew the next window of opportunity to update the state鈥檚 uniform building code would come in 2026. The process, where public health, safety and efficiency standards can be set for future construction, happens every three years.

At the state鈥檚 May 11 Board of Housing and Community Development meeting, it advanced the Northern Virginia lawmaker鈥檚 . After the public has the chance to weigh in, there will be a final vote on the measure.

Bennett-Parker also planned to submit a proposal to include , which resemble the ones for babies, albeit a bit larger. But she learned that Virginia鈥檚 code was already being updated to include it. The adult-sized stations can help people with mobility challenges or disabilities.

As she worked on drafting her proposal, Bennett-Parker posted in various parents-focused Facebook groups where she said she was 鈥渋nundated very quickly with lots of stories.鈥�

The experiences reflected a 鈥減ublic health issue,鈥� Bennett-Parker said, because without changing stations, caregivers must often choose between using a restaurant table, limited bathroom counter space or the 鈥渄irty floor鈥� to tidy up their infants.

鈥淚 think some people think 鈥榦h just go change your baby in your car,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淏ut that only works if you have a car.鈥�

As respondents weighed in on social media to Bennett-Parker鈥檚 prompts, they shared anecdotes about keeping 鈥減uppy pee pads鈥� in their diaper bags to use as disposable mats to lay babies on.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 even count the number of times where this happened to me or where I鈥檝e encountered a fellow parent in this situation,鈥� Marta Schantz wrote. 鈥淚鈥檇 often be judged by fellow bathroom-goers, but where else are parents supposed to change our kids鈥� diapers?鈥�

Crystal Martin relayed that she鈥檚 experienced about 60 to 70% of women鈥檚 bathrooms having changing stations while only about 10% of men鈥檚 bathrooms have them.

Men echoed the issue when Bennett-Parker first presented her proposal to the state board last October, and signaled support by raising their hands.

Though the requirement will entail extra costs to developers, Bennett-Parker said she didn鈥檛 get much pushback on that front because 鈥渋n the grand scope of things, this is a fairly minimal expense.鈥�

, the leading brand for wall-mounted changing stations, typically retails for under $300 dollars per table, though some can cost over $1,000.

Virginia will be among 16 states that have implemented or are considering requiring along with 10 states that have required .

鈥淎 bunch of other states have done this, so I am happy we are joining them,鈥� Bennett-Parker said.

Editor鈥檚 note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the proposal to require diaper-changing stations in all newly constructed buildings has advanced but must still receive public feedback and the Board of Housing and Community Development鈥檚 final approval before it is added to the state鈥檚 building code.

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The mixed actions frustrated and baffled some Democratic lawmakers who argue Spanberger is sending conflicting signals on immigration enforcement and other legislative priorities during a period of growing fear surrounding ICE operations across Virginia.

The moves highlighted the careful line Spanberger has tried to maintain during her first six months in office. She has聽聽criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics while resisting proposals she argues could create legal conflicts, public safety concerns or unintended consequences.

The immigration decisions came alongside a wider set of vetoes touching on legal cannabis retail, prescription drug regulation, election administration, higher education governance and criminal justice policy 鈥� angering some Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups that had expected more support from a Democratic governor.

Mixed immigration signals

Among the most controversial vetoes were聽听补苍诲听, companion measures聽focused on courthouse security procedures, attorney access and electronic device policies in Virginia courthouses.

While the legislation itself focused on courthouse operations and attorney access, some supporters and immigrant-rights advocates previously argued the measures could also help reduce fears surrounding immigration enforcement activity at courthouses.

But Spanberger rejected the measures, saying she was unconvinced they would improve safety.

鈥淲ithout additional study or a clear public safety benefit, I do not support mandating new statewide security screening exemptions for attorneys at courthouses,鈥� the governor 鈥� a former law enforcement official herself 鈥� wrote in her veto statement.

鈥淎ny such statewide changes to security protocols should be based on clear evidence that such changes would have no impact on 鈥� or ideally, improve 鈥� public safety.鈥�

The decision drew immediate criticism from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, who is an attorney, and the legislation鈥檚 sponsors, Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, and Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra, D-Fairfax.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers said they were 鈥渄eeply disappointed鈥� by the veto and argued the governor misunderstood both the legislation and existing courthouse practices.

鈥淭he governor鈥檚 stated concern, that allowing attorneys to bypass security screening poses a public safety risk, misreads both the bills and the people they cover,鈥� they said, arguing attorneys are licensed professionals subject to Virginia State Bar discipline and criminal penalties for the misuse of credentials.

The lawmakers also noted that law enforcement officers already routinely bypass courthouse screening procedures.

鈥淭he very population the current system trusts to skip screening has a documented misconduct rate higher than the population the governor鈥檚 veto deems too risky to extend the same courtesy,鈥� they said.

They also argued that the veto preserves what they described as a 鈥渟cattershot patchwork of local rules鈥� that creates confusion and delays for attorneys and clients statewide.

On Wednesday, Spanberger still took several steps aimed at addressing concerns surrounding federal immigration enforcement in Virginia.

She signed聽听补苍诲听, which increase transparency and accountability requirements for law enforcement officers operating in the commonwealth. The legislation comes amid national scrutiny over federal immigration agents conducting operations while masked or without visible identification.

鈥淟aw enforcement officers wearing masks on American streets undercut basic expectations of accountability, sow fear and confusion, and erode the public trust,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement.

The governor said Virginians had witnessed 鈥渢he horrors of what can occur when masked federal immigration enforcement agents engage in fear-based policing and enforcement theater on American streets.鈥�

Executive order addresses ICE activity

Also on Wednesday, Spanberger issued聽, directing state agencies and institutions to establish guidance for employees interacting with federal immigration officers at sensitive locations including schools, hospitals, courthouses, polling places and commonwealth attorneys鈥� offices.

The order bars state property from being used as a staging area, processing site or operational base for federal civil immigration enforcement activity. It also requires state agencies to verify federal officers seeking access to state property possess valid warrants or other legal authorization.

The order additionally directs state agencies to create online resources explaining residents鈥� legal rights and allowing reports of alleged misconduct by federal agents.

鈥淜ids in elementary school are afraid to get on the bus, neighbors fear being targeted based on their appearance at the grocery store, and workers are not showing up at their jobs,鈥� Spanberger said. 鈥淧ublic trust in state and local law enforcement is being undermined by the aggressive tactics used by federal immigration officials.鈥�

The executive order follows Spanberger鈥檚 veto of聽听补苍诲听, legislation supporters said was intended to further limit immigration enforcement activities in sensitive areas.

鈥淲e strongly disagree with Gov. Spanberger鈥檚 veto of SB 351. This is a disappointing choice that undermines public safety and accountability in Virginia,鈥� said Salim, the sponsor of the Senate measure.

鈥淭his bill is a common-sense measure that would have protected Virginians and strengthened trust in our institutions. As an immigrant who carries his passport card as many immigrants do, I know the fear of being separated from our families due to the Trump administration鈥檚 lawlessness.鈥�

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia also criticized Spanberger鈥檚 decision on the legislation, arguing the governor undermined protections lawmakers intended to create for immigrants and courthouse visitors.

鈥淟awmakers recognized that when ICE agents can make warrantless arrests inside Virginia courthouses, the rule of law itself is under attack 鈥� so they took decisive action to protect it,鈥� ACLU of Virginia Policy Director Chris Kaiser said in a statement.

鈥淚t is shocking that Gov. Spanberger would choose to veto the protections these bills would have provided and replace them with an executive order that does nothing to keep Virginians safe.鈥�

Spanberger acknowledged the concerns behind the legislation but said the bills would create unworkable legal conflicts for local officials and security personnel.

鈥淎s a former law enforcement officer, I share many Virginians鈥� concerns regarding the dangerous and unchecked federal immigration enforcement actions we have seen across the country,鈥� she wrote.

But the governor said the bills would place security staff and law enforcement 鈥渋n the untenable position of choosing between violating state law or federal law.鈥�

She also warned the legislation would create a false sense of legal protection for immigrant families.

The actions build on earlier immigration-related measures聽聽last month, including legislation limiting cooperation agreements between local jails and ICE.

Broader vetoes frustrate Democrats

Immigration bills were only part of a much larger wave of vetoes that angered Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups this week.

On Tuesday, Spanberger聽聽that would have launched Virginia鈥檚 adult-use cannabis retail market, delaying legal marijuana sales in the commonwealth for at least another year. She also聽聽establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board intended to lower certain medication costs statewide.

The governor also vetoed聽, dealing with voter roll maintenance, saying she supported the bill鈥檚 intent but worried it could create unintended burdens for grieving family members of deceased voters.

She rejected聽, which would have restructured聽聽program, arguing the changes could strip nearly 800 businesses of eligibility and reduce SWaM spending by at least $340 million.

Spanberger also vetoed聽听补苍诲听, saying the proposals would create inconsistent legal standards involving defendants with mental illness or developmental disabilities.

Other vetoes include聽, dealing with private funding and gifts for election administration;听听补苍诲听, which would have added menopause and perimenopause protections to the聽;听, involving mandatory recordings of child welfare interviews; and聽听补苍诲听, which proposed changes to higher education governance that Spanberger said risked further politicizing Virginia universities.

鈥淚 support the intent of many of the bills I am vetoing,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement summarizing her actions, 鈥渉owever, it is my responsibility as governor to make sure all new laws can be successfully implemented and protect against unintended consequences that harm Virginians.鈥�

At the same time, Spanberger highlighted major legislation that she did sign this year, including measures聽,听聽and addressing聽, healthcare and聽听补蹿蹿辞谤诲补产颈濒颈迟测.

鈥淲ith the chaos out of Washington continuing to raise prices and create uncertainty for families and businesses alike, we have shown Virginians that we can deliver to make our communities safer, stronger, and more affordable for all,鈥� the governor said.

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The governor previously expressed support for the bills that would allow more Virginia public workers to organize in unions and negotiate their working conditions and pay rates.

Spanberger first sought amendments to and , which one of the bill鈥檚 carriers, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surrovell, D-Fairfax, characterized as 鈥渁 total rewrite.鈥� On Thursday, Surovell confirmed the governor told him in a private call she planned to veto the measure.

The proposal, backed by the Virginia Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and various labor groups, would expand on a 2020 law that permits local government employees in Virginia to opt-in to collective bargaining if their localities allow it.

鈥淚 put forth amendments which would have required the state to set up a system allowing state employees, home care workers, and higher education service employees to enter into collective bargaining agreements first, in order to demonstrate the efficacy of this new system, with public employees in localities following closely after,鈥� Spanberger said in a explaining her veto.

The governor鈥檚 action came just over three weeks after legislators rejected her recommendations in their in Richmond on April 22.

Some Virginia counties and cities have allowed public school teachers, city hall janitorial staff, firefighters and other workers to do this and the proposed measure would have made it possible statewide.

Spanberger seemed on board with the bills, lawmakers said, and had attended a SEIU rally in Richmond in February in support of them.

Surovell said that he and fellow Democratic Fairfax County lawmaker Del. Kathy Tran, who carried the House version, compromised aspects of their bills during the legislative session as part of the process to get it to Spanberger鈥檚 desk.

But 鈥渨hen the session was over, (Spanberger) came up with an entirely new bill,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of hard to negotiate when the goal post gets put on a different field.鈥�

Spanberger鈥檚 proposed changes sought to delay provisions of the bill until 2030 and shift authority over how the system operates to a state board.

Thursday afternoon,听 Spanberger defended the changes she鈥檇 suggested for the bill.

鈥淲hile preserving the enrolled bill鈥檚 focus on allowing public employees to achieve collective bargaining, my amendments would have also provided additional flexibility for public employers to take into account existing local budget timelines and processes,鈥� she wrote.聽 鈥淗owever, the General Assembly rejected these amendments.鈥�

Workers call veto 鈥榓 betrayal,鈥� Hashmi reaffirms support of bills

With a May 23 deadline to take final actions on remaining legislation, SEIU members crashed a bill signing Spanberger attended earlier this week to urge her to sign the collective bargaining bills.

On Thursday ahead of the formal veto, Virginia Professional Firefighters, who鈥檇 been at their association鈥檚 biannual convention in Henrico County, stepped away to protest Spanberger鈥檚 planned veto.

Kurt Detrick, the new incoming president of the union association, called the governor鈥檚 actions 鈥渁n absolute betrayal鈥� after the conversations and advocacy the association has been part of with other unions throughout the legislative session.

He noted that Virginia鈥檚 firefighters and other groups had also lent their input and support when Surovell and Tran advanced their proposal to former Gov. Glenn Youngkin. That too, faced a veto.

Of Virginia鈥檚 roughly 11,000 firefighters, Detrick said about 8,000 to 9,000 of them still don鈥檛 have seats at the table because their localities have not opted in.

Many of these public safety workers want to push for safe staffing levels, which they hoped the bills鈥� success could enable them to do, Detrick said.

This would ensure that more staff are on duty at the same time to respond to emergencies. It would also require localities to pay more, a key concern for opponents of the bargaining bills.

House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County, said that his caucus has 鈥渕ade repeatedly clear, this bill would have driven up local taxes unsustainably.鈥�

Tran鈥檚 and Surrovell鈥檚 new law would have mandated localities allow for collective bargaining, although there was also language to allow localities to reject the mandate if they lacked the local funding to handle it.

The Virginia Public Sector Labor Coalition, which includes SEIU and Virginia鈥檚 firefighters, also issued a press release calling Spanberger鈥檚 expected veto 鈥淥rwellian,鈥� because she had previously expressed support for the bills.

The labor coalition also chalked up the governor鈥檚 rejection of the bills to pressure from local leaders. Local officials from all regions of the state sent the governor of collective bargaining on Monday.

Thursday evening, Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, who was elected alongside Spanberger on the Democratic statewide ticket last fall, restated her support for the collective bargaining bills, a stance at odds with the governor鈥檚 position.

鈥淰irginia鈥檚 workers deserve the right to organize for fair wages, worker protections, and a seat at decision-making tables,鈥� Hashmi wrote. 鈥淚 am determined and optimistic that Virginia will make collective bargaining available to public sector unions.鈥�

The first-term lieutenant governor, a career educator and former state delegate said she would 鈥渃ontinue to fight for legislation that lifts up public servants.鈥�

Spanberger鈥檚 office has not responded to requests for comment on her veto.

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In a multi-state , the attorneys general argue the proposal is unlawful and would create what they describe as a dangerous loophole in federal law that has restricted the mailing of concealable firearms for nearly a century.

鈥淭his loophole puts guns in the hands of those barred by Virginia law from buying weapons, and it allows people to blatantly dodge background checks and access illegal firearms,鈥� Jones said in a statement. 鈥淭he federal government continues to undermine the law and (is) putting our communities at risk in the process.鈥�

The dispute stems from a issued by the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration, which concluded that a long-standing federal statute restricting the mailing of certain firearms is unconstitutional.

鈥淪o long as Congress chooses to run a parcel service, the Second Amendment precludes it from refusing to ship constitutionally protected firearms to and from law-abiding citizens, even if they are not licensed manufacturers or dealers,鈥� the opinion stated.

The department said it would no longer enforce the law and directed the Postal Service to align its regulations accordingly.

On April 2, the Postal Service published that would conform to that guidance, prompting pushback from a coalition of states 鈥� including Virginia 鈥� that say the executive branch lacks the authority to override in 1927.

In their letter, the attorneys general contend that the statute remains valid and enforceable, noting it has never been struck down by a court.

They argue that allowing firearms to be shipped through the mail without going through licensed dealers would bypass background check requirements and increase access for people barred from owning guns, including felons and domestic abusers.

The states also warn the change could complicate criminal investigations by weakening existing firearm tracing systems. Without federal trace data tied to licensed sellers, law enforcement agencies could face higher costs and new logistical challenges in tracking weapons used in crimes.

The proposal would mark a significant shift in how firearms move across state lines. Under current practice, federal law limits the mailing of concealable weapons through USPS, while private carriers such as UPS operate under their own policies and legal obligations regarding firearm shipments.

According to the letter, USPS 鈥渞ecognizes no statutory obligation鈥� to ensure packages comply with varying state laws governing firearm purchases and transfers, raising concerns about enforcement gaps if the rule takes effect.

The attorneys general further argue that the Second Amendment does not require the Postal Service to permit firearm shipments, because the underlying federal law governs only the mailing of weapons, not the right to possess them.

They also point to historical precedent, noting that firearms were largely excluded from the mail for much of the nation鈥檚 history.

Beyond legal questions, the states say the proposal could carry financial consequences. They warn that state and local law enforcement agencies may need to develop new tracking systems to monitor firearms sent through the mail, adding strain to already tight budgets.

The letter outlines scenarios in which individuals prohibited from owning firearms under state law 鈥� including those with felony convictions or subject to restraining orders 鈥� could obtain weapons shipped from other states, potentially including firearms that are otherwise banned where they live.

Virginia joined a group of states led by New Jersey, New York and Delaware in signing the letter. Other states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.

The debate comes amid broader national disputes over gun policy and federal authority, as states continue to adopt different approaches to firearm regulation.

In Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month amended and signed of gun legislation, marking one of the most significant overhauls of Virginia鈥檚 firearm laws in years.

The changes clarify a ban on the future sale of certain semi-automatic 鈥渁ssault鈥� firearms, restore background checks for private sales, raise the minimum age for some purchases to 21 and impose new safe-storage requirements, while also expanding restrictions on where guns can be carried publicly.

At the same time, lawmakers across the country are grappling with how firearms are bought, sold and transported, particularly as online marketplaces and interstate transactions become more common.

The Postal Service proposal remains in the rulemaking process, and it remains unclear whether or how the agency will revise the measure in response to the states鈥� objections.

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鈥淚 want to set a precedent for my kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. I can鈥檛 tell them to go out and vote if I can鈥檛 do it myself,鈥� King said in a to Virginia鈥檚 American Civil Liberties Union website, the organization that represented him and others in the class action lawsuit challenging Virginia鈥檚 restoration of rights process. 鈥淚 want to set an example. The world is in uproar and chaos right now. It鈥檚 about trying to make things right.鈥�

A federal court ruled earlier this year that Virginia鈥檚 current disenfranchisement of anyone with felony convictions violates laws that required former Confederate states to guarantee voting rights for newly-emancipated Black residents.

The series of laws, called the , had barred states from constitutionally disenfranchising people other than those convicted of crimes considered common law at the time. Under current law, however, unless they鈥檝e petitioned a governor successfully.

The federal judge had originally given state officials a May 1 deadline to make sure that many of today鈥檚 crimes don鈥檛 strip voting rights. A new joint filing last week between King鈥檚 lawyers and the Office of Attorney General Jay Jones, grants an extension to June 1.

鈥淲e are committed to working with the Commonwealth to implement this historic expansion of voting rights and ensure newly eligible voters know their rights have been restored,鈥� said ACLU attorney Vishal Agraharkar. 鈥淚t鈥檚 past time for us to finally and formally right this wrong.鈥�

Groundwork for a constitutional amendment

The legal back and forth represents a multiyear effort to ensure people who are done serving time can participate in the democratic process again.

King鈥檚 lawsuit challenged Virginia鈥檚 historic disenfranchisement by targeting former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who鈥檇 adjusted a once-automatic process to restore voting rights when someone finishes their sentence.

Two previous governors had streamlined that process before Youngkin switched the process to petition-based. With little clarity on what would garner a successful petition, under his tenure.

Concurrently, state lawmakers advanced an effort to into the state鈥檚 constitution. Having cleared the legislature two years in a row, it will appear on statewide ballots this November 鈥� meaning King and others will be able to vote to change the constitution that had once disenfranchised them.

鈥淰oting to me means that my voice is being heard,鈥� King said. 鈥淚t means that I am fulfilling my obligation as a citizen of this state and of this country.鈥�

When Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the measure to advance the amendment to a ballot referendum earlier this year, she said: 鈥淲hen Virginians have paid their debt to society, they deserve to regain their right to vote.鈥�

As state agencies work to formally define the list of crimes that may qualify or disqualify past offenders, June 1 will become the first day of eligibility for some to register to vote without first needing a governor鈥檚 approval. Details on how to register to vote are available on the .

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Filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, the suit claims the ballot language is misleading and echoes arguments in a that challenged the .

Bluefield town council member Meagan Kade and Chesterfield County child psychiatrist Sheila Furey are represented by the Founding Freedoms Law Center, the legal arm of the conservative advocacy group Family Foundation.

鈥淭he language voters will see when they walk into the voting booth in November is engineered to obscure what this amendment actually does,鈥� Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb said when introducing the lawsuit Thursday morning.

The plaintiffs argue the pending amendment would requirements for minors seeking abortions or surgical birth control procedures and pose safety risks by removing the current three-physician approval threshold for abortions later in pregnancy.

Those arguments mirror concerns that Furey and the Family Foundation have raised in public comments before legislative committees, as well as objections voiced by Republican lawmakers during of the amendment鈥檚 approval process so far.

Existing requires parental or guardian consent for surgeries on minors unless a minor successfully petitions a judge for approval.

Democrats, who to the ballot later this year, say it would not override existing state law but instead more firmly protect access to abortion, contraception and fertility treatment.

They have also pushed for years to eliminate the state鈥檚 three-physician requirement for certain later-in-pregnancy abortions, arguing that it can delay care for patients in rural areas facing life-threatening emergencies.

Alleging misleading representation in the ballot language, plaintiffs in the case reiterated that voters might not really know what they are voting for or against.

As a planned 鈥渘o鈥� vote, Kade said: 鈥淚 could not stand by and allow my vote and the votes of many other Virginians to be effectively canceled out because the General Assembly has deliberately chosen to materially misrepresent the effects of the so-called reproductive freedom amendment.鈥�

Ballot language: 鈥淪hould the Constitution of Virginia be amended to protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient鈥檚 health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive?鈥�

Kade is the second local government official to challenge the amendment. Bedford County Supervisor Charla Bansley filed March, represented聽by Liberty Counsel, alleging that Virginia House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo invalidated the amendment by failing to formally send a copy of its language to circuit court clerks across the state.

But a bill signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger retroactively that requirement from .

鈥淐ourts do allow laws to take effect retroactively. They just sort of balance the damage done by retroactive laws,鈥� Rich Meagher, a Randolph-Macon College political science professor, said when the previous suit dropped in March.

If upheld, the issue could affect all four constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. Aside from the reproductive rights amendment are referendums to restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who have served their time, same-sex marriage protections and a controversial mid-decade redistricting effort in Virginia that . A challenge to it is currently by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Josh Hetzler, legal counsel in the latest case, said he believes the Liberty Counsel argument is 鈥渧alid.鈥�

The issue surfaced earlier in the week when the high court heard oral arguments in the redistricting suit.

鈥淥ne of the points was, 鈥榯here鈥檚 a reason why we require strict compliance with the rules for constitutional amendments, because these bind future generations.鈥� There was also some talk that 鈥榤aybe people don鈥檛 necessarily get their news from the courthouse,鈥欌�� he said.

Hetzler said his case is primarily focused on what he described as the 鈥渄eceptive language鈥� of the ballot amendment. He said his clients hope the court could order a rewrite before early voting begins Sept. 18.

He and Cobb emphasized they are not trying to block the amendment from reaching voters, but believe the current wording is misleading.

Hetzler also suggested the decision to file the suit in Tazewell County was strategic. With Kade as plaintiff in the area 鈥� and the Town of Bluefield located in Tazewell County 鈥� he said the venue made the case possible.

Tazewell County has already been the source of legal challenges to the redistricting amendment, cases that have since been elevated to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

鈥淚t鈥檚 no secret that the Tazewell Circuit Court has become something of a subject matter expert on ballot measures,鈥� Hetzler said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e had a lot of time to think about it. And so we felt that we should go there.鈥�

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Six years before police say he fatally shot his wife and himself, Justin Fairfax had been the tie-breaking vote on state legislation that allows temporary confiscation of guns from people deemed at-risk of harming themselves or others.

鈥淭his is a terribly painful irony,鈥� Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, said. 鈥淭he red flag process is directed at trying to prevent these tragedies.鈥�

New ways to raise a flag

Two of Sullivan鈥檚 bills to update the red flag law were recently signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Preventing gun violence is an issue he鈥檚 cared about for a long time, he said.

Sullivan鈥檚 House Bill 901 (and companion Senate Bill 495 by Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville) expands the option for people to petition a judge for substantial risk orders.

When these orders are granted, the subject loses their firearms and the ability to purchase others for up to 14 days. People can petition to restore their access to guns and can also be subject to a gun prohibition for up to 180 days under the law, if they鈥檙e deemed a threat.

Previously, commonwealth attorneys or law enforcement officers had been the only parties allowed to file the orders. With the new law, social workers, mental health professionals, school administrators and immediate family or household members will be able to seek them too.

Likewise, Sullivan鈥檚 HB 896 directs the state Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a training program for law enforcement to ensure they know how to use the law and to spread the word about them through public outreach campaigns.

Sullivan said the measures are 鈥渕eant to make sure that our communities know that this is an option out there.鈥�

The updates to the law don鈥檛 take effect until July 1 but the current law was designed to prevent tragedies like the one that unfolded in the Fairfax home on April 16, when deadly violence erupted following signs of declining mental health, a judge had noted in a March 30 .

Justin Fairfax was accused of sexual assault while still serving as lieutenant governor in 2019, allegations he denied and that didn鈥檛 result in criminal charges. By 2021, he鈥檇 lost a Democratic primary for governor and his political career continued a downward trajectory.

His behavior changed, according to the custody order that included insights from family members amid their prolonged divorce.

Cerina Fairfax had described his periods of isolation, excessive alcohol consumption and failure to pay his half of the mortgage, groceries and utilities.

In 2022, he purchased a handgun with money meant for their two children to have horseback riding lessons. His brother later found him with it in a park and facilitated him speaking with a mental health professional in a mall parking lot late one night, The Richmond Times-Dispatch .

That moment, Sullivan noted, might have been one where the updated red flag law could have come into play, had it been law at that time.

Virginia鈥檚 divorce laws 鈥榦utdated鈥�

While the enhanced gun safety laws could have been helpful for the Fairfaxes, it appears their living situation was not.

Virginia law requires that couples be separated for six months or a year, if there are children involved, before being granted a divorce.

The Fairfaxes separated in the summer of 2024 and by 2025, Cerina Fairfax had initiated the divorce. show her husband tried legal tactics to prolong the process, arguing she had not initially disclosed intent to divorce when they separated.

The couple continued to live together during the separation and after initiating the divorce process, sleeping in different bedrooms.

Courtenay Schwartz with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance said that finances are often a reason for couples to remain under the same roof when separating.

Though the former lieutenant governor was a lawyer and his wife was a dentist with her own practice, his legal work largely dried up after he left public office and he鈥檇 accumulated debt. Cerina Fairfax 鈥� as the rock of her family and a woman with a kind nature 鈥� handled household expenses and support for the children.

In the leadup to him murdering his wife and committing suicide, a Fairfax County judge noted Justin Fairfax鈥檚 鈥渦ndefined emotional and psychological issues鈥� that were 鈥渋n fact defining him.鈥�

If finances hampered the couple from living apart as tensions between them rose, it may have worsened matters, Loudoun Democrat Sen. Russet Perry, who is also a lawyer, said.

Perry鈥檚 prosecutorial background has included working with victims of domestic violence, and she has spotted trends in contributing factors to heightened violence.

鈥淲hen people are very upset and to have them in this powder keg with difficulty separating, I鈥檓 not sure it does anyone any favors,鈥� Perry said. 鈥淚t can exacerbate things.鈥�

The Fairfax murder-suicide on April 16 appeared to be the result of 鈥渙ngoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce,鈥� Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

Officers had been dispatched to the home months prior after Justin Fairfax alleged that his wife had attacked him. Police reviewed cameras she鈥檇 installed in the home, Davis said, to dispel the allegation and, after their deaths, to corroborate the sequence of events.

Schwartz suggested the interior cameras could have been a red flag amid their ongoing separation and imminent divorce, saying the surveillance was聽 鈥渘ot normal.鈥�

A judge had ordered Justin Fairfax to move out of the estranged couple鈥檚 shared home by April 30, and he had to undergo a breathalyzer before permitted visits with his children.

He was also scheduled to appear in court on April 21, to face a for failure to comply with previous orders.

Davis surmised the latest serving of paperwork may have been the 鈥渟park鈥� that motivated him to kill his wife.

Perry said that while the public doesn鈥檛 know all the intricacies of the Fairfaxes鈥� crumbling relationship, their tragic ending is a reminder of how聽 laws can help people in similar or related situations.

She pointed to Sullivan鈥檚 HB 303, which Spanberger also recently signed.

While that law focuses on instances of adultery as grounds for a divorce being decreed, it also establishes a workgroup that can explore whether the state should end fault-based divorces altogether.

Schwartz and Perry say the concept is particularly helpful for spouses experiencing domestic violence. By allowing marriages to end without a fault-based system, it prevents prolonged and costly proceedings that can lead to further contact between the abused and abuser.

In her role as a lawmaker, Perry said she is considering carrying legislation to end fault-based divorce and remove waiting periods.

鈥淚鈥檝e thought for some period of time that our divorce laws are really outdated and pretty paternalistic,鈥� Perry said.

Schwartz has witnessed how the delays impact some of her clients or people who have called a hotline hosted by her organization. They have relayed fear for their safety and their inability to afford聽 legal services to continue their divorce proceedings.

鈥淭he legal system is designed to move slowly and sometimes that is for good reason,鈥� Schwartz said. 鈥淏ut I agree some reform is necessary. When people need to end their marriages, it should not be this difficult.鈥漹irginia

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The move leaves Spanberger with a binary choice: sign a long-debated proposal to launch retail sales or veto it and prolong a yearslong stalemate that has left Virginia in a legal gray area, where cannabis is allowed to be possessed, but not legally purchased.

The , which frustrated many lawmakers and stakeholders, would delay the latest start of retail sales to July 1, 2027, while restructuring much of the framework lawmakers during the session.

鈥淔ive years ago, the commonwealth took the first steps to legalize marijuana 鈥� and for five years, the work sat unfinished,鈥� Spanberger said in a statement.

鈥淲e are working to set up a marketplace that is controlled, regulated, and responsible 鈥� because legal markets only succeed when there are clear guardrails and enforcement to back it up.鈥�

Under her proposal, regulators would begin accepting license applications by Sept. 1, 2026, with various licenses issued in early 2027 ahead of the planned launch.

Lawmakers reject extensive rewrite

At the heart of the dispute is the governor鈥檚 attempt to rewrite large portions of and , the companion measures aimed at establishing an adult-use cannabis market in Virginia.

Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the House bill, said the modifications went too far.

鈥淪ome of the changes in there were fine, but most of them were contrary to where we had arrived through the legislative process,鈥� Krizek said. Legislators and the governor 鈥渨ant a well-regulated, adult-use cannabis retail market in Virginia, and we鈥檙e going to get there. It鈥檚 just a process right now.鈥�

Krizek said he hopes Spanberger ultimately signs the bill but acknowledged the uncertainty ahead.

鈥淲hether it takes another session, or if she doesn鈥檛 veto it, then we鈥檒l work with her on some of the changes that maybe she needs to see,鈥� he said.

Pressed on whether the process has been challenging, Krizek did not hesitate.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 lie and say I鈥檓 not frustrated. I am a little bit frustrated, but she is the governor, I鈥檓 not the governor,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a long process, but good legislation sometimes takes time.鈥�

Spanberger, in a separate statement, said she intends to keep negotiating with lawmakers.

鈥淚 will continue to work with the patrons of the bills that are coming back to my desk to make sure that when these bills become law, we get it right,鈥� she said.

Shift to regulatory framework, tighter controls

The governor鈥檚 proposed changes would fundamentally shift how the legislation that lawmakers sent to her desk structures Virginia鈥檚 cannabis market.

Rather than embedding detailed licensing rules in state law, Spanberger鈥檚 substitute would remove large portions of the statutory framework and instead direct the to establish those rules through regulations.

The proposal also reduces the number of retail licenses from 350 to 200 and extends that cap through Jan. 1, 2029, after which regulators would determine future limits.

It further restructures oversight of the Cannabis Control Authority by eliminating legislative appointments to its board and making all members gubernatorial appointees, while reducing required agricultural representation.

Other provisions of the enrolled bill would be stripped entirely.

Those include the , authority for the governor to negotiate cannabis-related agreements with tribal governments 鈥� federally recognized Native American tribes that can operate with a degree of sovereign authority 鈥� and a requirement for the to operate a tip line for reporting illegal activity.

The substitute would also change how cannabis tax revenue is distributed, eliminating fixed percentage allocations and instead directing lawmakers to allocate funds through the state budget for priorities such as public health, education and workforce development.

The state tax rate would be set at 6% until July 2029, rising to 8% thereafter.

Spanberger framed the changes as necessary to strengthen enforcement and public safety, particularly as the state grapples with an illicit market offering unregulated products.

鈥淭o keep our next generation safe, we must also ensure real consequences for vape shops that have spent years targeting Virginia鈥檚 kids,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need to rein in these shady businesses and make sure a legal marijuana market does not make the problem worse.鈥�

Penalties, timelines and market uncertainty

The substitute also proposes tougher penalties in several areas. Public consumption would increase from a civil penalty to a Class 4 misdemeanor, while underage possession would be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with potential fines, community service and license suspension.

The personal possession limit would be reduced from 2.5 ounces to 2 ounces.

Additional changes target advertising restrictions, medical cannabis delivery requirements and hemp regulations, including delaying the elimination of the state鈥檚 25:1 hemp ratio 鈥� a standard used to distinguish legal hemp products from marijuana based on THC concentration 鈥� until November 2026.

Beyond the retail legislation, lawmakers also rejected the governor鈥檚 proposed amendments to and , which would allow reconsideration of sentences for certain marijuana-related convictions.

Her changes would have clarified that individuals convicted of violent offenses or serious drugcrimes would not be eligible for reconsideration.

At the same time, Spanberger signed separate legislation targeting vape retailers, including and , which establish enforcement mechanisms to shut down shops that repeatedly sell to minors.

The measures require the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to conduct periodic compliance checks.

Stakeholders warn of continued delays

Advocates and industry stakeholders offered different reactions to the legislature鈥檚 rejection of the governor鈥檚 substitute.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of , called the move a victory for equity-focused organizers.

鈥淰irginia鈥檚 General Assembly rejecting the governor鈥檚 substitute is a testament to the work of equity, racial and criminal justice organizers,鈥� she said.

鈥淣ot only would the governor鈥檚 substitute be worse for Black, brown and low income communities than the status quo, her language ignored the reform, repair and redress required to acknowledge the decades of racist enforcement.鈥�

She urged Spanberger to allow the legislation to become law without further changes.

鈥淭he leader Virginia needs right now would listen to her constituents and allow the marijuana bills to become law this year,鈥� Wise said.

Industry leaders, however, warned that continued delays risk prolonging an unregulated market.

鈥淲hile we are disappointed by delays in establishing an adult-use cannabis market, we remain hopeful that the governor and lawmakers can come together to chart a clear, workable path forward for Virginia,鈥� said Rodney Holcombe, vice president of public policy at .

鈥淯nfortunately, every day without a regulated market is a day the illicit market continues to operate unchecked, undermining public safety, consumer protections, and, ultimately, legitimate businesses,鈥� he added. 鈥淰irginia has done the hard work to get to this point, now it鈥檚 time to finish the job.鈥�

Spanberger must take action on the cannabis retail bill 鈥� approve it without her tweaks or reject it completely 鈥� within 30 days.

is part of States 91欧美激情room, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.

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鈥淚 have made it very clear that I support a yes vote, and I think Virginians should vote 鈥榶es,鈥欌�� she told reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond. But, she added, 鈥渕y priority and my responsibility is on governance.鈥�

The governor has until midnight on Monday to act on hundreds of bills that the General Assembly sent to her desk last month.

, set for April 21 with early voting already underway, would temporarily allow Virginia to redraw its congressional districts mid-decade 鈥� a departure from the once-per-decade redistricting cycle 鈥� in response to aggressive map changes in other states encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Supporters say the move is necessary to maintain partisan balance nationally, while critics argue it risks politicizing the process.

A recent highlighted the tight divide among voters, with 52% of likely voters saying they鈥檙e in favor of the measure. The findings underscore both the significance of the vote and the uncertainty heading into the final weeks before the election.

Spanberger dismissed suggestions that her approach has been too restrained compared with other Democratic leaders, including California Gov. Gavin 91欧美激情om, who for a redistricting-related ballot measure in his state last year.

That measure, expanded reforms tied to independent redistricting oversight and was framed as a response to partisan gerrymandering concerns nationwide.

鈥淚 would argue that a second-term governor taking up an issue that鈥檚 important to him, that鈥檚 his choice,鈥� Spanberger said of 91欧美激情om, drawing a contrast with her own position as a brand-new governor less than 90 days into her tenure: 鈥淚t鈥檚 very different from a first-term governor, literally at the end of her first session.鈥�

She pointed to significant spending already backing the referendum, including 鈥渟even-figure ad-buys鈥� featuring her directly addressing voters.

鈥淭here鈥檚 over a million dollars worth of TV ads with my face on it,鈥� Spanberger said. 鈥淎nd at the same time, my priority is doing the job that I told Virginians I want to do, which is governing.鈥�

The governor鈥檚 balancing act comes as she faces mixed political headwinds. The Washington Post-Schar School poll also found her approval rating at 47%, with 46% disapproving and 7% undecided 鈥� a tightening margin that has drawn national attention.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia鈥檚 Center for Politics, the dip as 鈥渟tunning鈥� in early coverage of the poll, noting that such numbers could complicate her standing within the Democratic Party as national attention intensifies.

Spanberger brushed aside concerns about the polling, emphasizing her electoral mandate and ongoing work in office.

鈥淚f everybody hated me, why is everybody putting my face on their mailers for the referendum?鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat matters to me in the end is what I am delivering for people.鈥�

She added that criticism of her approach 鈥渟eems to run at odds with the fact that everybody thinks I鈥檓 a convincing character in whichever way they want that referendum vote to go,鈥� seemingly referencing a GOP-funded featuring Spanberger and former President Barack Obama that critics decried as misleading.

Spanberger reiterated Wednesday: 鈥淔or the record, the misinformation鈥檚 strong. I voted 鈥榶es鈥� and encouraged other Virginians to do the same.鈥�

National and state Democrats are also ramping up public engagement efforts in the final stretch before the vote.

On Thursday evening, Roland Martin is set to host a live 鈥淰ote Yes鈥� town hall at Virginia State University, featuring House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, and U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.

The event, which will also be live-streamed, is expected to focus on encouraging early voting ahead of 鈥淪uper Saturday,鈥� when additional early voting access expands statewide, as supporters make a final push to mobilize voters before the April 21 referendum.

Republicans, meanwhile, have seized on the issue to mount a coordinated opposition campaign.

Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently criticized the referendum during an appearance hosted by Sean Hannity of Fox 91欧美激情, calling it 鈥渋llegal and unconstitutional鈥� and warning it would undermine the state鈥檚 redistricting framework.

Youngkin is scheduled to appear at a 鈥淰ote No Rally鈥� in Lynchburg on Saturday alongside U.S. Rep. John McGuire, R-Powhatan, and U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach. Also slated to attend are state Sens. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, and Luther Cifers, R-Prince Edwards, and Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg.

McGuire and Kiggans are among the Republican incumbents whose districts would become more competitive if the referendum passes.

The politics around it have put Spanberger in a delicate spot 鈥� one that analysts say reflects both caution and the realities she鈥檚 dealing with.

Veteran Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth said the governor鈥檚 approach is consistent with how she has handled the issue from the outset.

鈥淪he鈥檚 supportive, but at the same time, she doesn鈥檛 want to place all her political capital on it,鈥� Holsworth said, noting that the referendum was not originally her initiative. 鈥淭his was something that she almost inherited.鈥�

Holsworth added that governing demands 鈥� including stalled 鈥� have likely limited her ability to campaign more aggressively, even as Democrats work to turn out voters.

鈥淚 think it would have been helpful if Spanberger had been more supportive,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut the reality is that she still doesn鈥檛 have a budget yet, so this has not been her highest priority.鈥�

As early voting continues, the referendum is shaping up as both a policy question and a political test 鈥� not just for Virginia鈥檚 congressional map, but for Spanberger鈥檚 influence within her party.

鈥淭he reality is that this is about Congress, this isn鈥檛 about governing Virginia,鈥� Holsworth said. 鈥淔or someone who certainly would want to have a national profile, if the referendum doesn鈥檛 pass, she will take a significant hit from national Democrats, they will put the blame on her.鈥�

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Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the lawsuit argues that Trump鈥檚 March 31 order unlawfully attempts to reshape voter eligibility and mail-in voting by directing federal agencies to create a national list of approved voters 鈥� and limiting ballot distribution to those on that list.

鈥淭his is a blatant attempt by Donald Trump to sow confusion and distrust in our democratic processes and to influence the midterm elections for his own personal gain,鈥� Jones said in a statement.

He added that the president鈥檚 order does not affect balloting for Virginia鈥檚 April 21 redistricting referendum. Early voting is already underway, and state leaders sought to reassure voters about the integrity of the current process.

But if left in place, the order would disenfranchise voters in the November election, Jones said.

鈥淭his fearmongering and arrogation of states鈥� authority is plainly unconstitutional. I鈥檓 proud to join attorneys general across the country in defending the right to the franchise and to use every legal tool available to us to stop the president鈥檚 illegal power grab,鈥� he said.

According to the complaint, Trump鈥檚 executive order directs the United States Postal Service to transmit mail ballots only to voters included on a federally maintained eligibility list 鈥� a move the attorneys general argue would override existing state voter rolls and election procedures.

The order also threatens state officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they fail to comply.

The coalition contends that such directives conflict with longstanding constitutional principles that give states primary authority over administering elections.

While Congress has some authority to regulate federal elections, the lawsuit argues, the president cannot unilaterally impose sweeping changes without legislative approval.

Legal scholars and election experts have long emphasized that the decentralized nature of U.S. elections 鈥� with states and localities controlling voter registration, ballot access and vote counting 鈥� is a core feature of the system.

Disputes over election administration have intensified in recent years, particularly following the expansion of mail voting during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent political battles over access and security.

The attorneys general argue the executive order would force states to abandon or significantly alter their existing systems for maintaining voter rolls and administering absentee ballots. All states involved in the lawsuit currently allow eligible voters to cast ballots by mail under their own laws and procedures.

State and federal law entitle all eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes counted, the complaint states. Mail voting, the coalition notes, is widely used by voters across the political spectrum, including the president himself.

The complaint warns that states would be forced to overhaul election procedures within weeks of primary contests and just months before mail voting begins for the 2026 general election.

That compressed timeline, attorneys general argue, risks 鈥渃onfusion, chaos, and distrust鈥� while potentially disenfranchising eligible voters.

The coalition鈥檚 lawsuit asks the court to block the federal government from implementing or enforcing the executive order, arguing it violates the separation of powers and unlawfully interferes with state-run election systems.

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