The General Assembly Week 6 Wrap Up

Dear Friend,

We have now passed crossover in the 2026 General Assembly session. At this point, the contrast could not be clearer.

Senate Republicans pushed real, immediate relief for Virginia families. The majority blocked it — and instead advanced mandates, new taxes, and long-term cost increases.

Here is where things stand.

Real Relief Blocked

Republicans introduced direct, measurable tax relief:

• Preserving the expanded standard deduction
• Repealing the grocery tax
• Eliminating taxes on tips and overtime
• Repealing the car tax
• Repealing the Virginia Clean Economy Act to reduce power bills

Taken together, these proposals would have saved the average Virginia family thousands of dollars.

Every one of them was killed.

Instead, the majority is advancing policies that increase costs across nearly every sector of the economy.

The “Affordability” Agenda That Raises Costs

Despite the branding, the following measures expand mandates and payroll taxes:

• Minimum wage expansion (SB1)
• Agricultural minimum wage mandate (SB121)
• Statewide paid family leave payroll tax (SB2)
• Paid sick leave mandates (SB199, SB372)
• Collective bargaining expansion (SB378)
• Prevailing wage mandates (SB518)
• Appliance and water-use mandates (SB256)
• A new 1% sales tax

Collective bargaining alone has the potential to significantly increase state and local labor costs — and those increases ultimately land on homeowners and taxpayers.

The paid family leave bill establishes a permanent payroll tax structure. That is not short-term relief. That is a long-term cost commitment.

Data Centers & Energy: A Self-Inflicted Shortage

There is ongoing debate in Richmond about data centers and power demand. Let’s be clear about the real issue.

Virginia should not have an energy supply shortage.

The strain on generation capacity is largely a self-inflicted problem created by the Virginia Clean Economy Act and other renewable mandates that artificially restrict reliable generation while forcing utilities toward intermittent sources. When dependable supply is constrained and demand continues to grow, shortages are predictable.

That is not the fault of data centers.

Virginia is the global leader in data center development. That leadership has fueled enormous economic growth and tax revenue. Loudoun County alone now collects over $1 billion annually from data center-related revenue. It has transformed the county’s fiscal position.

If Loudoun or Prince William County decide they do not want additional facilities, that is their choice. Land use decisions belong at the local level.

But many counties across Virginia would welcome a fraction of that revenue and have appropriate locations for this kind of development.

The answer is not to kill the goose that has laid golden eggs for Virginia’s economy. The answer is to restore reliable energy policy so supply keeps pace with demand — and allow localities to make their own land-use decisions.

Firearms

A sweeping gun-control package has advanced:

• SB749 – Assault weapons ban
• SB643 – Raises minimum age to 21
• 10% tax on firearms and ammunition
• SB27 – Expands civil liability for manufacturers and dealers

These measures burden law-abiding Virginians rather than focusing on repeat violent offenders.

Redistricting: Selected, Not Elected

This week brought one of the most troubling revelations of the session.

A report revealed that congressional maps drawn by House Democrats reportedly included the names of the candidates for whom each district was drawn.

When the measure came up for a vote, I asked a simple question: If transparency was promised, why are voters not being told who these districts were drawn for before they are asked to approve the maps?

No answer.

That is the definition of gerrymandering — politicians selecting their voters instead of voters selecting their representatives.

Selected, not elected.

Spread the word – VOTE NO on April 21.

The Bottom Line

At crossover, the record is clear:

• Real tax relief blocked
• New payroll taxes advancing
• Expanded mandates and litigation
• Political maps drawn with candidates in mind

This is the so-called “affordability” agenda being served up by Governor Spanberger and her Democrat allies who now control the General Assembly. I will continue fighting for reliable energy, lower taxes, fiscal restraint, constitutional freedoms, and local control.

As always, I welcome your thoughts. If you are in Richmond, please stop by the office.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Virginia State Senate