Virginia budget do-over: Lawmakers to start over on state spending plan in special session

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Virginia lawmakers will start over on the state budget after reaching an agreement with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, setting the scene for a special session in May to work on a spending plan, per multiple sources.

The Virginia General Assembly is meeting in Richmond to consider Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments to the legislation and the state’s budget plans for the current fiscal year and the next two fiscal years.

Democrats and Youngkin (R) were at odds over the governor’s proposed overhaul of the new two-year spending plan, which included 233 amendments, and nine changes to the current budget.

In 100-0 votes, the House of Delegates moved to find Youngkin’s budget amendments were not specific and severable , a motion to kill them, and passed the budget bills by for the day, effectively killing them.

Both chambers of the General Assembly then unanimously passed a resolution to apply “to the Governor to call a special session and establishing a schedule for the conduct of business coming before such special session.”

The motion stops Youngkin from vetoing the budget, an unprecedented move that Democrats raised concerns about, and will set up a special session to work on the budget.

“We collectively are getting ready to put out a statement that says that we feel that we are close on a budget,” Youngkin told reporters Wednesday alongside Democratic and Republican state leadership. “We’ve got work to do.”

The little-known legislative maneuver from lawmakers also helps fend off talks of a potential shutdown, which state officials said could harm Virginia’s financial outlook and bond rating.

Youngkin then said the General Assembly would return to Richmond on May 13 for a special session to review the budget deal and then vote on May 15.

“We believe this is a good path forward for the commonwealth that reflects the work that has been done from the General Assembly and from the governor’s office,” Youngkin said Wednesday.

Virginia has a two-year budget cycle, with new spending plans introduced by the governor and passed on even-numbered years. The new state budget will run for the next two fiscal years – starting July 1 until June 30, 2026.

If a deal on a new budget isn’t reached by July, Virginia’s government will shut down, cutting off pay for state employees and vital funding for public school districts and localities.

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