News

The 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 14 after a busy and often contentious 60 days in Richmond. While the legislative session has ended, several major issues remain unresolved—most notably the state budget—which means lawmakers will return to Richmond next month for a special session.

This year’s session revealed a clear divide over the direction of our Commonwealth: whether Virginia will continue focusing on economic growth, affordable energy, and responsible government—or move toward higher taxes, heavier mandates, and increasingly centralized control from Richmond.
Below is a recap of several major issues from the session.

THE BUDGET FIGHT IS NOT OVER
The General Assembly adjourned without passing a final two-year budget. The House and Senate proposals differ by roughly $1 billion, and negotiators were unable to reconcile those differences before adjournment.

What makes this particularly striking is that Democrats control the House, the Senate, and the Governor’s mansion, yet they still could not agree on a final spending plan. Much of the disagreement appears to revolve around how much more the state should spend beyond the budget that Governor Youngkin originally proposed.

One of the biggest disputes involves proposals to target Virginia’s data center industry by repealing a long-standing sales tax exemption that helped make Virginia the global leader in data center investment. Critics warn that repealing that policy could threaten billions in private investment and the substantial local tax revenues these facilities generate for communities across the Commonwealth.

These issues will now be addressed when the legislature returns for a special session later this spring.

TAXES AND THE AFFORDABILITY DEBATE
For a session that was supposedly about affordability, the result was a surprising number of new taxes and mandates that will make life more expensive for Virginians.

Republicans introduced several proposals that would have provided meaningful tax relief to working families, including repealing the grocery tax, eliminating state taxes on tips and overtime, and repealing the car tax, which continues to cost many Virginia families well over $1,000 per year.

Those proposals were rejected by the Democratic majority.

At the same time, the General Assembly advanced several policies that increase taxes or create new financial burdens:

• Paid Family Leave Payroll Tax (SB 2) – creates a new payroll tax on workers and employers, estimated at roughly $520 per employee annually.
• Mattress Tax (HB 86) – establishes a new statewide tax on mattress purchases.
• Rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a carbon tax program that will increase electricity costs for Virginia families and businesses.
• Statewide collective bargaining mandates – expected to increase local government spending and place upward pressure on property taxes across Virginia.

Several additional tax proposals were also introduced this year that gained national attention—including proposals that would have extended a services tax to everyday transactions such as haircuts, dog walking, and other routine services.

While those proposals did not pass this session, they clearly remain on the Democratic wish list. We will be watching closely during budget negotiations and doing everything we can to make sure they do not quietly make their way into a final budget compromise.

ENERGY POLICY: HIGHER COSTS AHEAD
Republicans introduced legislation that would have helped lower electricity bills by providing relief from mandates imposed by the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and by encouraging the development of reliable power generation. Those proposals were rejected.

At the same time, Virginia is preparing to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which could impose hundreds of millions of dollars per year in additional electricity costs that will ultimately be passed on to Virginia families and businesses.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND PROPERTY TAXES
Another major issue this session was legislation expanding public employee collective bargaining statewide.

Many local officials across Virginia—including many Democrats—have warned that the policy will dramatically increase local government costs. Fairfax County is already facing a $300 million budget deficit, and Richmond has also reported major personnel cost increases after adopting collective bargaining.

Despite these warnings, the General Assembly moved forward with the mandate.

The law delays full implementation until 2028—after the next General Assembly elections. The cynical hope appears to be that voters will not fully realize the consequences, particularly the inevitable increase in property taxes, until after those elections have already taken place.

Given the experience of localities that have already adopted collective bargaining, moving forward with a statewide mandate seems to reflect an aspiration for the triumph of hope over experience.

CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
Perhaps the most significant issue in this area is the proposed constitutional amendment on abortion that will appear on the ballot in November. Despite misleading claims that it simply restores the legal framework that existed under Roe v. Wade, the amendment goes much further and could invalidate widely supported laws such as Virginia’s parental consent and parental notification requirements.

Other legislation debated this year included the Youth Health Protection Act to prevent gender transition procedures for minors and legislation protecting girls’ sports by reserving female teams for biological females. Both were defeated.

One issue where we were able to prevail this session was defeating legislation that would have legalized assisted suicide in Virginia. Physicians testified about the risks and abuses seen in other states. Defeating this legislation was a rare win this year for those who believe in protecting the sanctity of innocent human life.

REDISTRICTING AND THE ‘LOBSTER DISTRICT’
Democrats have already produced congressional maps that stretch the limits of common sense. One proposed district—the 7th Congressional District (which includes the area I represent and live)—runs from western Augusta and Rockingham Counties north to Falls Church and Arlington, then south through Goochland, Powhatan, Buckingham, and Cumberland.

Observers have described the shape as looking like a lobster.

Former First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe has already entered the race for the district with endorsements from Nancy Pelosi and other liberal political icons.

This highlights the importance of the April 21 referendum on redistricting. Early voting is already underway, and I strongly encourage everyone to participate.

Voters in the Shenandoah Valley are not going to allow Democrats to force us to trade a great conservative congressman like Ben Cline for a hand‑picked liberal like Dorothy McAuliffe without a fight.

SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES
Democratic majorities advanced multiple bills imposing new restrictions on law‑abiding gun owners, including magazine limits, age restrictions, and new storage mandates.

They even imposed criminal penalties for leaving a firearm in a vehicle while simultaneously expanding the number of places concealed carry permit holders cannot legally carry.

It was particularly revealing when Democrats attempted to sneak in an exemption for members of the General Assembly parking in the General Assembly parking garage, highlighting the hypocrisy of the proposal.

I previously sent a detailed update on these issues and will send a follow‑up soon summarizing the final legislation.

ELECTION LAW CHANGES
Several significant changes to Virginia election law were adopted this session.

Many of these policies prioritize convenience but risk undermining public confidence in the fairness and integrity of elections. Republicans argued that elections should be free, open, and fair—ensuring both participation and trust in the process.

A VERY IMPORTANT WEEK IN APRIL
April 21 – Redistricting Referendum
Virginians will vote on a constitutional amendment that effectively reverses the anti‑gerrymandering reforms approved in 2020 and allows Democrats to impose a heavily gerrymandered congressional map expected to produce a 10‑Democrat to 1‑Republican delegation.

I strongly encourage voters to turn out and vote NO.

April 22 – Veto Session
Governor Abigail Spanberger will have the opportunity to keep her campaign promises of moderation—or sign the many partisan bills currently sitting on her desk.

April 23 – Special Session on the Budget
The General Assembly is expected to reconvene to finalize the state budget.

LOOKING AHEAD
If you have questions or opinions about these issues—or any other matters addressed during the General Assembly session—please do not hesitate to contact my office. Hearing directly from the citizens I represent is always invaluable.

Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the Virginia Senate.

Dear Friends,

With just one week remaining in the 2026 General Assembly session, Richmond has entered the final stretch. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn next Saturday, but a number of major issues are still unresolved—including the state budget, several controversial election law bills, and important energy and economic policy decisions.

The final week of session is always a whirlwind. Major legislation moves quickly, negotiations often stretch late into the evening, and decisions with long-term consequences for Virginia are frequently made in the closing days.

At the same time, early voting has begun in the statewide referendum on redistricting, a proposal that would undo the bipartisan redistricting reform Virginians approved just a few years ago.

Below is a brief update on several of the most important developments from the past week.

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BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS ENTER THE FINAL WEEK

The most significant issue still pending is the state budget. Both the House and Senate have passed competing proposals, and negotiations are now underway to reconcile the differences.

The chambers have taken very different approaches to funding their spending priorities.

One of the largest differences involves the Senate proposal to eliminate Virginia’s long-standing sales and use tax exemption for data centers—a policy that helped make Virginia the global leader in this industry.

Data centers have delivered enormous economic benefits to the Commonwealth, including billions in private investment, thousands of jobs, and substantial local tax revenue that supports schools, infrastructure, and public safety.

In Loudoun County alone, data centers generate more than $1 billion each year in local tax revenue. Other regions of Virginia are beginning to see similar opportunities as investment expands beyond Northern Virginia.

The Senate proposal would impose roughly $1.3 billion in new taxes on the industry. While supporters view this as a new source of revenue, there is a real risk that it would push future data center investment to states like Texas or Pennsylvania that are aggressively competing for these projects.

If that occurs, Virginia could lose not only future projects but also the economic momentum that has strengthened many local economies across the Commonwealth.

Budget conferees now face a critical decision: whether Virginia will continue encouraging this successful industry or adopt policies that could slow its growth.

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ELECTION LAW BILLS EXPAND PARTISAN CONTROL

Several election-related bills passed the Senate this week that appear designed to tighten Democratic control over the administration of elections in Virginia.

Taken together, these proposals would expand the ability of partisan actors in Richmond to influence how elections are administered across the Commonwealth.

National Popular Vote Compact

One bill would enter Virginia into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Under this proposal, Virginia’s presidential electors would be required to vote for the candidate who wins the national popular vote—regardless of how Virginians vote.

In other words, Virginia voters could support one candidate while Virginia’s electoral votes are awarded to another.

Removing Electoral Board Members

Another bill allows local electoral board members to be removed by a simple majority vote of the board.

Virginia law requires each locality to have a three-member electoral board, and two members must belong to the party of the governor. Because Virginia currently has a Democratic governor, Democrats already control a majority of electoral boards across the Commonwealth.

This legislation would allow that majority to remove the minority-party member at any time. In practical terms, two Democratic members could vote to remove the Republican member of the board if they find that individual inconvenient or too effective in advocating for fairness in election administration.

Restricting Voter Roll Maintenance

A third bill limits the ability of local registrars to remove ineligible voters from the rolls unless they receive explicit direction from the Department of Elections.

Registrars have traditionally been responsible for maintaining accurate voter rolls by removing voters who have died, moved away, or otherwise become ineligible. Centralizing that authority in Richmond gives state officials far greater control over voter list maintenance.

Free, Open, and Fair Elections

Republicans and Democrats alike should be united around a simple principle: our elections must be free, open, and fair.

Elections should be open so every eligible citizen can participate. They must be free from intimidation or manipulation. And they must be fair so voters can trust that the rules are applied consistently.

Unfortunately, these and other so-called election reforms suggest many Democratic leaders are focused almost exclusively on making elections more open, while showing far less concern about protecting fairness and public confidence in the process.

Virginia voters deserve all three—free, open, and fair elections.

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REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM: EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY

Early voting has now begun in the statewide referendum on redistricting, with Election Day scheduled for April 21.

This proposal would effectively undo the bipartisan redistricting reform that Virginians approved in 2020 to take map-drawing power away from partisan politicians and place it with a bipartisan commission.

Now that the process has not produced the political results they hoped for, Democratic leaders are attempting to change the rules again.

If successful, this effort could allow congressional districts to be redrawn in a way that dramatically reshapes Virginia’s representation in Washington. Some analysts believe the resulting map could push Virginia toward a 10-to-1 Democratic congressional delegation despite the Commonwealth remaining politically competitive statewide.

Ultimately, this decision will be made by Virginia voters.

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OTHER MAJOR ISSUES STILL IN PLAY

Several other major policy debates remain unresolved as the session enters its final week.

Energy legislation tied to the Virginia Clean Economy Act continues to advance and could require massive investments in renewable generation and large-scale battery storage—costs that will ultimately be borne by Virginia ratepayers.

Lawmakers are also debating gambling expansion, cannabis taxation, and other new revenue proposals as budget negotiations intensify.

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ONE WEEK TO GO

With adjournment scheduled for next Saturday, the coming days will involve intense negotiations over the budget and several major policy questions.

The decisions made during this final week will shape Virginia’s fiscal direction, economic competitiveness, and election system for years to come.

As always, I will continue working to promote policies that strengthen Virginia’s economy, protect taxpayers, and preserve fair and transparent elections for all Virginians.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Virginia State Senate

Dear Friends,

This week the Senate voted on its version of Virginia’s two-year budget. After careful review, I voted no.

Budgets are never all good or all bad. There are always provisions worth supporting. The real question is whether the overall direction is sound — and whether the elements you oppose outweigh the ones you support.

This year, they did.

Three Budgets — Three Different Directions

This year we effectively considered three budgets:

1. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s introduced budget in December — a responsible plan I would have supported. It maintained fiscal discipline, included tax relief such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and avoided dramatic expansion of long-term government commitments.

2. The House amendments, which added roughly $2 billion in additional spending compared to the Governor’s proposal and funded many Democratic priorities.

3. The Senate amendments, which added approximately $3.1 billion in net revenue increases, nearly a 10% increase over the introduced base.

It was the Senate version that came before us this week — and that scale of expansion made it impossible for me to support.

What Was Good — and Why It Wasn’t Enough

There were provisions in the Senate budget that I supported:

• A 3% teacher pay raise (passed 40–0 — I voted yes)
• An increase and extension of the standard deduction (40–0 — I voted yes)
• A one-time tax rebate (40–0 — I voted yes)

Those are positive steps.

But they were paired with structural changes and major revenue increases that move Virginia in a different direction.

The Senate budget reflects a deliberate decision to increase taxes and grow government at a substantial rate. That is not the direction I believe Virginia should take.

Legislative Pay — The Wrong Signal

Included in the Senate amendments was a near tripling of legislative pay — from $18,000 to $50,000 per year.

Public service is exactly that — service. At a time when proposals to eliminate the grocery tax and the car tax were rejected, dramatically increasing legislative salaries sends the wrong message.

Data Centers — Growth Follows Competitive Tax Policy

One of my deepest concerns is the elimination of the sales and use tax exemption for data centers.

Virginia became the global leader in data center investment because we adopted a stable, competitive tax structure that encouraged long-term capital investment.

Lower, predictable taxes encourage economic growth. That principle has been proven here. The exemption helped attract billions in private investment, strengthen our technology sector, and generate enormous local tax revenue.

Now that success is beginning to spread beyond Northern Virginia.

For years, data center development was concentrated in one region. Today, rural counties are finally positioned to compete for and attract this investment. A single data center campus in a rural locality can profoundly transform a county’s tax base — stabilizing tax rates, funding school construction, strengthening public safety, and reducing pressure on homeowners.

That kind of opportunity is rare.

Eliminating the exemption sends a message that Virginia is willing to change the rules midstream. Investment capital is mobile. Other states are aggressively competing for these facilities.

If we raise taxes on this sector, future investment will go elsewhere — and rural Virginia will lose the economic growth that is just beginning to reach it.

We should be expanding opportunity, not undermining one of the Commonwealth’s strongest engines of growth.

Key Floor Votes — Competing Visions on Taxes and Spending

There has been a great deal of rhetoric about “affordability.” On the Senate floor, we had clear votes on competing approaches.

Eliminate the Car Tax & Make Localities Whole
19 Republicans voted yes.
21 Democrats voted no.
I voted yes. It failed.

Eliminate the Grocery Tax & Make Localities Whole
19 Republicans voted yes.
21 Democrats voted no.
I voted yes. It failed.

Preserve Tax Relief on Tips and Overtime
Governor Youngkin’s introduced budget included this relief.
Senate Democrats removed it.

New Employer & Employee Payroll Tax
21 Democrats voted yes.
19 Republicans voted no.
I voted no. It passed.

Reinstate Carbon Tax (RGGI – Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative)
21 Democrats voted yes.
19 Republicans voted no.
I voted no. It passed.

Remove the College Tuition Cap
21 Democrats voted to repeal it.
I voted to keep the cap.

New 11% Tax on Guns and Ammunition
21 Democrats voted yes.
19 Republicans voted no.
I voted no. It passed.

If we are serious about affordability, eliminating the car tax and grocery tax would have delivered immediate relief to Virginia families. Those proposals were rejected.

Redistricting Referendum — Partisan Gerrymandering at Its Worst

Early voting begins Friday, March 6.

In 2020, Virginians voted by a two-to-one margin to take partisan politics out of redistricting and enshrine protections in our Constitution. That vote was clear and decisive.

What is being proposed now reverses that decision.

This is partisan gerrymandering at its worst.

Democrats have openly celebrated maps designed to produce a 10–1 congressional delegation — that’s 10 Democrats and 1 Republican — in a state where statewide elections are often closely divided. That is not balance. That is not competition. That is politicians selecting their voters instead of voters selecting their representatives.

Even more troubling, maps were circulated by Democrat map drawers with specific names attached to particular districts — signaling which candidates the lines were drawn to favor. When districts are crafted with individual candidates in mind, the process is no longer about representation. It is about predetermining outcomes.

Virginians rejected that approach in 2020.

Now we are being asked to suspend the very constitutional protections voters demanded just a few years ago.

I strongly encourage you to vote early beginning March 6 and encourage friends and family to vote as well.

There are still negotiations ahead between the House and Senate before a final budget reaches the Governor. I will continue fighting for lower taxes, reliable energy, fiscal discipline, economic growth, and constitutional protections for Virginians.

As always, I appreciate the privilege of serving you.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Virginia State Senate

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Dear Friends,

We are approaching the midpoint of the 2026 General Assembly session, commonly referred to as “Crossover,” when each chamber must complete work on its own bills before they move to the other body.

This week, I am pleased to report on several of my bills that have cleared the Senate — each focused on protecting those who cannot always protect themselves.

Protecting Nursing Home Residents – SB535
SB535 strengthens protections for nursing home residents and holds facilities accountable for neglect and abuse. Our seniors deserve dignity, safety, and proper care. This bill reinforces those basic standards.(Passed Senate 40-0)

Protecting Children – SB778
SB778 increases safeguards against sexual predators targeting children. It closes gaps in current law and strengthens penalties to ensure predators are held accountable. (Passed Senate 40-0)

Protecting Elders from Financial Exploitation – SB540
SB540 enhances tools to prevent and prosecute financial exploitation of older Virginians. Scammers who prey on seniors’ life savings must face real consequences. (Passed Senate 40-0)

These are common-sense measures rooted in a simple principle: protect the vulnerable and enforce the law.

REDISTRICTING UPDATE: THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER

In 2020, Virginians overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment creating a bipartisan redistricting commission to remove partisan map-drawing from the General Assembly.

Now, Democrats are attempting to sidestep the very guardrails voters put in place — including the statutory requirements in § 24.2-304.04 that districts be compact, contiguous, and not drawn to unduly favor a political party.

This effort to dismantle the nonpartisan redistricting system is still being challenged in court.

A Virginia Circuit Court ruled that Democrats violated multiple legal requirements in advancing the constitutional amendment to repeal the commission and held that the referendum should not proceed. That ruling is now on appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

This week, the Supreme Court announced that it will allow the referendum to move forward on April 21. That is not a ruling on the merits. It is a practical decision. Canceling a statewide vote cannot easily be undone. Much like officials allowing a disputed play to run its course before review, the Court is permitting the process to continue while it considers the legal issues.

That means Virginians will go to the polls on April 21 to vote on whether to undo the bipartisan redistricting reform they overwhelmingly approved in 2020 — even though the legality of how this amendment was advanced remains under active review.

On April 21, Virginians will decide whether to preserve the reform they approved — or return the power to draw congressional districts to partisan politicians in Richmond.

This vote matters. It will determine whether the rules are applied fairly to both parties or rewritten when they become inconvenient. I encourage you to study the issue carefully and make your voice heard at the ballot box on April 21.

A WAVE OF OVERREACHING GUN BILLS

This week and last, the Senate considered — and in most cases passed — a series of sweeping gun-control proposals. None of them target criminals. All of them burden law-abiding citizens.

SB763 — 10% Firearms and Ammunition Tax
One bill would impose a 10% tax on all firearms and ammunition — on top of the existing 5% sales tax. This is not a “sin tax.” It is a penalty on responsible gun owners. (Passed Senate 21-19)

SB348 — Mandatory Biometric Safe Storage in Homes
Another proposal would require firearms in homes to be stored in a locked gun safe. The initial version of the bill required storage in biometric safes, despite existing tax credits helping citizens purchase gun safes that would not qualify under the proposed requirements. (Passed Senate 21-19)

SB496 — Unattended Vehicle Storage Mandates
A proposal creates new criminal penalties for firearm storage in unattended vehicles. An amendment requiring containers to be welded or steel-cabled to the vehicle frame failed, but the underlying bill passed. The result is an overly prescriptive law that may discourage honest reporting of stolen firearms if citizens fear they could face prosecution for a violation. (Passed Senate 21-19)

SB27 — Lawsuits Against Manufacturers and Retailers
Another bill would expand lawsuits against firearm manufacturers and sellers when a third party misuses a firearm, inviting litigation against lawful businesses. (Passed Senate 21-19)

SB643 — License to Purchase Any Firearm
A sweeping proposal would require a government-issued license before purchasing any firearm, with fingerprinting, live-fire and “conflict resolution” training, database tracking, and fees estimated between $200 and $300, with renewals every five years. (Pending Senate vote)

SB749 – The “Assault Weapons” Ban
The Senate has passed SB749, banning commonly owned semi-automatic firearms, and the bill is on its way to the House. I spoke in opposition (Link). The legislation criminalizes firearms based largely on cosmetic features — what they look like, not what they do. These firearms fire one round per trigger pull, like many lawful sporting firearms. Banning them will not reduce crime but will penalize law-abiding Virginians. (Passed Senate 21-19)

LOOKING AHEAD

This week, both the House and Senate will release their respective budget proposals. That will tell us a great deal. We will see whether the Governor and her allies intend to live within the multi-billion-dollar surplus Virginians have already provided — or whether the plethora of new tax proposals introduced by Democrats this session quietly reappear in the budgets.

We are also hearing that some of the Democrats most expensive initiatives may be structured so the real costs do not take effect during this two-year budget cycle, but only after the 2027 General Assembly elections. If true, that would mean asking voters to render judgment before the financial consequences ever arrive. Virginians deserve transparency about not only what these proposals cost — but when the bill will actually come due.

A CLEAR CONTRAST

The contrast in priorities is unmistakable.

My Republican colleagues and I are advancing legislation to protect seniors, protect children, and protect constitutional rights. We are fighting to keep taxes low and energy affordable.

Meanwhile, our new Governor and her legislative allies continue to push a polarizing agenda — redrawing congressional districts, expanding government mandates, and advancing gun control proposals that burden law-abiding citizens instead of criminals.

As we move into the second half of session, these debates will intensify. I will continue standing firm for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the constitutional freedoms that define our Commonwealth.

If you have thoughts, concerns, or suggestions, I want to hear from you. If you are in Richmond during session, please stop by the office.

It is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Virginia State Senate

Dear Friend,

As we enter the fourth week of the 2026 General Assembly session, I want to provide my legislative report on what is happening in Richmond. Governor Spanberger campaigned as a moderate and made “affordability” her central promise. The actions we are now seeing—by the Governor and her Democratic allies in the General Assembly—tell a very different story.

This is an affordability bait-and-switch.

RGGI: A Back-Door Carbon Tax

In her first State of the Commonwealth address, the Governor announced that Virginia will be forced back into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a multistate cap-and-trade program that operates as a back-door carbon tax, with the stated goal of reducing emissions by 86 percent by 2037, regardless of cost or reliability.

According to the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, re-entering RGGI will cost Virginia electric customers approximately $500 million every year in higher power bills. That burden will fall directly on families and small businesses—at the same time Virginia is struggling to meet rising electricity demand from data centers and advanced manufacturing.

Immigration: Ending Cooperation with ICE

On immigration, the Governor has aligned Virginia with the national progressive agenda. She ordered state police and corrections agencies to terminate all cooperation agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is not moderation or bipartisan governance. It is ideological posturing that abandons cooperative federalism and undermines public safety.

Redistricting: Reversing the 2020 Voter Mandate

Redistricting represents one of the most cynical and hypocritical political moves in modern Virginia history. On November 3, 2020, Virginia voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment creating a bipartisan redistricting commission, explicitly rejecting partisan gerrymandering and demanding fairness and transparency in the process. That vote was clear, recent, and decisive.

Now—barely five years later—the Governor and Democratic leadership are backing a constitutional amendment designed to blow up that bipartisan system and return redistricting power to the General Assembly for raw partisan advantage.

Last Thursday night, Democrats released a proposed congressional map that confirms exactly what this effort is about. The districts are anything but compact and bear no resemblance to communities of common interest.

2026 Democrat Proposed Congressional Map:

Rockingham County alone is split into three different congressional districts, and northern Rockingham is shoved into a district that stretches all the way to the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. This is gerrymandering, plain and simple—and a direct slap in the face to Virginians who were told in 2020 that partisan map-drawing was over.

Higher Education: Politicizing Virginia’s Institutions

Higher education has also become a battleground. While the Governor herself did not initiate it, her legislative allies have launched an ongoing campaign against the Virginia Military Institute, the oldest state-supported military college in America and one of the most distinguished military academies in the nation.

VMI’s alumni include George Patton, George Marshall, and numerous Medal of Honor recipients. Yet we are now seeing open hostility toward the institution’s mission, traditions, and leadership—boards at UVA and George Mason University are being politicized, and divisive DEI bureaucracies are being revived across higher education.

Taxes: A Wish List of New Burdens

The tax agenda may be the clearest example of the bait-and-switch. Despite a $2.7 billion budget surplus, Democrats have rolled out what can only be described as a wish list of new taxes. These include higher income-tax brackets, a new tax on investment income, and a statewide paid family and medical leave program funded by a new payroll tax.

Under current estimates, a two-income family would pay more than $500 per year in new payroll taxes alone, not including the employer share—which will inevitably be passed back to workers through lower wages, higher prices, or both.

As the Washington Post recently noted, Virginia is not suffering from a revenue shortage. Income tax collections have exceeded projections year after year, taxpayers have received rebates, and the Commonwealth maintains a multi-billion-dollar rainy-day fund.

Democrats insist that because not every tax proposal has passed yet, critics are exaggerating. That argument is not credible. These proposals did not appear by accident. They are part of a broader plan—and any that do not pass this year will be back in future sessions.

Right-to-Work: Being Gutted in Practice

Finally, while the Governor claims she does not support a full repeal of Virginia’s Right-to-Work law this year, she and her Democratic allies are gutting it in practice.

They are advancing statewide collective bargaining mandates and prevailing-wage laws that will balloon local government budgets, drive up real estate taxes, and significantly increase the cost of building schools and colleges—raising the cost of higher education itself.

There is nothing affordable about any of this.

Virginians were promised moderation, bipartisanship, and affordability. What we are getting instead is a progressive agenda that raises costs, centralizes power, and disregards the clear will of the voters.

I will continue fighting these policies and standing up for common sense, affordability, and honest government. As always, I welcome your thoughts—and if you are in Richmond during session, please stop by my office.

Further Reading

• Wall Street Journal editorial on Governor Spanberger’s early agenda: [Link]
• Washington Post editorial on Virginia’s surplus and proposed tax hikes: [Link]
• Virginia Mercury article detailing Democrats’ proposed tax increases: [Link]
  

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Dear Friend,

Week three of the General Assembly session has concluded, and I want to share an update on what is happening in Richmond.

Common-Sense Bills Blocked
Once again, Senate Democrats blocked a series of practical bills that would have lowered costs, strengthened public safety, and respected taxpayers. Among them was SB 78, which would have increased mandatory minimum sentences for repeat firearm offenders—targeting violent criminals who repeatedly break the law. Instead of advancing that bill, the Democratic majority chose to stop it.

Other blocked measures would have repealed costly mandates on small businesses, reduced taxes, restored commonsense election safeguards, and eliminated the car tax. These proposals were aimed squarely at affordability and public safety. They were rejected nonetheless.

Gun Bills: Burdening the Law-Abiding
While refusing to get tougher on repeat violent offenders, Democrats are advancing a slate of gun bills that primarily burden law-abiding Virginians rather than addressing criminal misuse of firearms.

• SB 749 bans a wide range of commonly owned semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
• SB 348 imposes mandatory firearm storage requirements in homes where minors or prohibited persons reside, creating criminal liability for otherwise responsible gun owners.
• SB 312 prohibits the carrying of so-called “assault firearms” in broad categories of public places.
• SB 496 restricts the ability of law-abiding individuals to keep a firearm in their vehicle for self-defense.
• SB 115 jeopardizes concealed handgun permit recognition and long-standing reciprocity agreements with other states.
• SB 643, introduced by the Senate Majority Leader, would require Virginians to obtain a government-issued license before purchasing a firearm. The bill imposes onerous prerequisites—including mandatory training unrelated to firearms safety, such as “conflict resolution” courses—creating yet another barrier for law-abiding citizens exercising a constitutional right.

Taken together, these bills do little to stop violent crime. Instead, they expand restrictions, create new technical violations, and impose additional burdens on citizens who already follow the law—while ignoring the real problem: repeat violent offenders.

Redistricting Update
This week, Republicans secured an important court victory challenging Democrats’ attempt to rush a redistricting constitutional amendment through the 2024 Special Session. The court ruled that the General Assembly failed to comply with its own Special Session rules and did not meet constitutional and statutory requirements, rendering those actions legally invalid.

The court also found that the required intervening House election has not yet occurred, because early voting for the 2025 election began before the amendment passed. As a result, the earliest lawful election that could satisfy constitutional requirements would be 2027. The court further concluded that Virginia’s public notice requirements were not followed, undermining claims that the amendment received proper second passage.

Democrats have appealed the ruling, and the case now moves to the Court of Appeals. The fight is not over, and we will continue opposing this effort to impose a mid-decade, partisan gerrymander on Virginia.

Affordability Promises vs. Reality
The Governor has spoken often about affordability and has promised a bipartisan, unifying approach. Unfortunately, the legislative agenda so far reflects something very different.

Instead of lowering costs, Democrats are advancing a growing list of new and expanded taxes and fees that fall directly on working families and small businesses, including:

• A new local sales tax in all Virginia counties and cities
• New income tax brackets
• A delivery tax on services such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and food delivery
• A rideshare tax on Uber and Lyft
• New taxes on storage units, gym memberships, and vehicle repairs
• New taxes on home repairs and dry cleaning
• New taxes on personal and professional services, including counseling and pet services
• A tax on digital products such as Kindle and other electronic media

This stands in sharp contrast to the rhetoric about affordability coming from the administration and Democratic leadership.

What’s Coming in Commerce & Labor
This week, the Commerce and Labor Committee will consider legislation that will further raise the cost of living for working Virginians, including:

• Minimum wage increases
• New insurance mandates
• Prevailing wage legislation
• Additional labor and regulatory requirements on employers

These are not modest or incremental changes. They are progressive, costly proposals that would significantly increase the cost of doing business in Virginia, drive up already high insurance premiums for families, and impose new burdens on employers, manufacturers, and other job creators. Taken together, they threaten business growth, job opportunities, and the ability of working Virginians to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Energy Reliability Still Matters
Recent winter weather once again demonstrated the importance of reliable, affordable energy. Virginians kept the lights on because of dependable generation like natural gas and nuclear—not intermittent sources that cannot meet demand during peak conditions. Republicans remain committed to repealing the Virginia Clean Economy Act and restoring a reliability-first energy policy.

I appreciate hearing from constituents and welcome your thoughts and concerns. And if you are in Richmond during the session, please feel free to stop by my office.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to update you on some of the very first actions taken by the new Democratic majority in the General Assembly and by Governor Spanberger—and why they matter to families and employers across Virginia.

Partisan Constitutional Amendments

One of the majority’s first moves was to fast-track four constitutional amendments for the ballot, likely this April. These are not modest or bipartisan proposals. They are sweeping, ideological changes—three of them focused on divisive social issues.

Most notably, the abortion amendment would create a fundamental constitutional right to abortion in Virginia. That goes well beyond Roe v. Wade and would almost certainly be used to strike down laws that enjoy broad public support, including parental consent and parental notification requirements. Virginians should understand that once a policy is embedded in the Constitution at this level, it becomes extremely difficult—if not impossible—to rein in through normal legislation.

There is also a redistricting amendment that deserves close scrutiny. Just three years ago, an overwhelming majority of Virginians voted to take politics out of redistricting. Now, in a strikingly ironic and purely political maneuver, Democrats are moving to undo that decision. Their own supporters have openly claimed this amendment could be used to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts to produce a 10–1 Democratic majority in our congressional delegation. All of this is happening while the same leaders tell Virginians their focus is affordability—a claim that rings hollow when paired with an aggressive effort to entrench political power.

Governor Spanberger’s “Task Force” Orders

Governor Spanberger also signed a series of executive orders creating task forces to study affordability—health care, housing, and other costs that are already squeezing Virginia families.

Frankly, this is surprising. The Governor spent more than a year campaigning almost exclusively on affordability. Virginians reasonably expected concrete proposals on day one—not a decision to appoint task forces to figure out what to do after the election.

The disconnect becomes even clearer when you look at what Democratic legislators are already advancing.

An Agenda That Raises Costs

At the same time these task forces are being formed, Democrats have introduced legislation that would raise costs across the board for workers, families, and small businesses, including proposals to:

• Mandate a $15/hour minimum wage, increasing labor costs for small employers
• Create paid sick leave and paid family leave programs funded by more than $2 billion in new taxes
• Impose a $1.4 billion income tax increase on higher earners
• Expand sales, digital, and services taxes—amounting to billions more in new revenue
• Repeal Right-to-Work, forcing workers to pay union dues and increasing the cost of doing business in Virginia

It is hard to reconcile the creation of “affordability task forces” with an agenda that so clearly moves in the opposite direction.

Republican Solutions That Deliver Real Relief

By contrast, Senate Republicans have already introduced common-sense legislation that would make an immediate, measurable difference in your household budget—ideas that might actually be worth studying by those task forces. These include:

• Repealing the Virginia Clean Economy Act, saving families more than $1,000 per year in energy costs
• Eliminating taxes on tips, returning an average of $280 per worker
• Eliminating taxes on overtime pay, saving about $130 per worker
• Repealing the car tax, putting roughly $1,099 back into the average household
• Repealing the grocery tax, saving families hundreds of dollars each year
• Extending the higher standard deduction, saving up to $600 per family

These proposals are straightforward, practical, and focused on one goal: letting Virginians keep more of what they earn.

As always, I welcome your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. If you are in Richmond during the General Assembly session, please feel free to stop by my office. I value hearing directly from the people I represent.

Sincerely,

Mark Obenshain 

By Mair Famet

Published: Aug. 16, 2024 at 7:11 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin made his way to the Friendly City on Thursday, stopping at James Madison University (JMU) for a quick bill-signing ceremony and the Rockingham County Fair to donate a portion of his salary to organizations.

During an event at Anthony Seeger Hall, Youngkin signed the Building Blocks for Virginia Families Initiative. The bill was described as a “significant investment” in the state’s early learning programs and childcare options for working parents.

The new funding replaces expired federal dollars that expanded childcare programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youngkin said the initiative gives working parents a sense of autonomy.

“[For families] to decide how they want to use their childcare, that is so exciting, so that we can then make sure that we are targeting the funding — [the] $1.2 billion over the course of the next two years across the Commonwealth — to the right kinds of programs to support parents need,” Youngkin said.

After the signing, Youngkin made his way to the Rockingham County Fair, where he donated a portion of his gubernatorial salary ($21,875 to both) to the Farm Ministry and the Rockingham County Fair.

The CEO of the Farm Ministry said the money donated to the ministry will feed more than 4,300 families in Virginia.

The donation to the Rockingham County Fair will be used to build a new barn.

Ultimately, Youngkin acknowledged the agriculture industry, applauding the spirit of Virginians, especially during the drought season.

“The spirit of Virginians is alive and well across this Commonwealth because it is amazing to see Virginians go to work every single day,” Youngkin said.

Copyright 2024 WHSV. All rights reserved.

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Fox News | June 30, 2023

The Supreme Court held that a Colorado graphic designer who wants to make wedding websites does not have to create them for same-sex marriages, in a landmark decision that pit the interests of LGBTQ non-discrimination against First Amendment freedom.

In a 6-3 decision issued Friday, the high court ruled in favor of artist Lorie Smith, who sued the state over its anti-discrimination law that prohibited businesses providing sales or other accommodations to the public from denying service based on a customer’s sexual orientation.

Smith said the law infringed on her First Amendment rights by forcing her to promote messages that violate her deeply held faith.

The case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, drew national attention as it featured competing interests of the First Amendment right to free speech and non-discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Lorie Smith, owner of 303 Creative at center of Supreme Court free-speech case. (ADF )

The law, known as the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), prohibits businesses providing sales or services to the publics from denying services to someone based on their identity. Supporters of CADA claim that the law is necessary to keep businesses from discriminating. 

READ THE SUPREME COURT OPINION – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:

Smith has maintained throughout the case that she has no problem working with the LGBTQ community, just not for gay weddings.

303 Creative owner Lorie Smith said she faced threats after challenging the  Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. (Credit: Alliance Defending Freedom)

“I think it’s important for people to understand that I love and welcome the opportunity to work with all people. My case has never been about choosing which client to work with, but about choosing the message that I’m being asked to promote,” Smith told Fox News Digital in a March 2022 interview.

Smith has said that she faced threats throughout the duration of her case.

“I’ve had my home address put on social media, I have received many threats — death threats, threats of bodily harm,” she said in December. “The security system on my home, my child’s school has been on alert. I’ve lost business, my clients have been harassed and my website… people attempt to hack into it, almost regularly by the hour.”

Lorie Smith of 303 Creative  (Credit: Alliance Defending Freedom )

SUPREME COURT HEARS FREE SPEECH ARGUMENTS OVER COLORADO COMPANY REFUSING TO CREATE WEBSITES FOR GAY WEDDINGS

Despite this, Smith said she did not regret going to court.

“The right to speak freely is guaranteed to all of us, and that’s been hard at times,” she said. “While it has come at a cost, it’s a right worth protecting.”

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This is the second time CADA has been at the center of a Supreme Court case. In 2018, bakery Masterpiece Cakeshop won a case where owner Jack Phillips refused to design and create cakes specifically for gay weddings. 

That case did not rule on whether the law itself violated the First Amendment for free speech or religious reasons, as they held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had anti-religious bias in enforcing the law against Phillips.

Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.