Virginia Viewpoint: Crossover Crunch Time

Crossover Crunch Time

While offenses in the Super Bowl struggled to move the ball, the Virginia General Assembly has done the opposite, racing through a packed legislative agenda and advancing priority legislation ahead of the quickly approaching Crossover deadline on February 17.

Legislators have been juggling proposals on taxes, data center siting and energy costs, education initiatives, and a consequential redistricting effort tied to a proposed constitutional amendment that could reshape Virginia’s congressional map ahead of an April 21 referendum.

Meanwhile, budget negotiations are intensifying. The Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee and House Appropriations Committee face a February 22 deadline to finalize their respective proposals on the new biennial budget (HB 30 and SB 30), while the “caboose” budget – covering appropriations through June 30, 2026 – already passed the House and Senate respectively on party-line votes.

With key deadlines approaching, the coming week marks the final opportunity for committees to consider legislation originating in their own chamber — other than the budget — before turning to bills that have passed the opposite chamber.

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“10–1” Redistricting Dominates Discussion

Governor Spanberger has signed legislation setting an April 21, 2026 referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow legislators to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The proposed district lines included in the “caboose” budget bill could produce a significant partisan shift if approved by voters, even as legal challenges continue over the process used to advance the amendment. Last week, a Virginia appeals court asked the Supreme Court of Virginia to consider a case seeking to block the redistricting effort.

Democratic leadership in the General Assembly has lauded this proposal as a “10–1” congressional map. Virginia’s congressional delegation is currently made up of five Republicans and six Democrats, though the proposed new maps could shift as many as four seats toward Democrats with only one remaining Republican seat.

Democrats argue the move is a response to aggressive redistricting in other states, while Republicans contend it undermines the bipartisan redistricting commission voters approved in 2020 and amounts to partisan gerrymandering.

The proposed congressional map can be found here.

The Affordability Debate Intensifies

Affordability remains a defining issue this session, though legislators on each side of the aisle sharply disagree on solutions. Democrats have emphasized proposals such as increasing the minimum wage and creating a state paid family and medical leave program to support household stability. Both proposals have made headway in the legislative process.

Republicans have pushed back on these proposals, along with tax measures they argue could increase costs for residents and businesses. Proposals to create new income tax brackets for high earners, expand the sales tax base to a wide range of additional services, and impose a tax on net investment income were all continued or tabled in subcommittee.

Affordability debates have also extended into public procurement policy. A bill has been introduced to require prevailing wage payments on state and local public works projects funded with public dollars, while another would amend the Virginia Public Procurement Act to add workforce-related requirements for capital projects, including safety training, apprenticeship participation, and enhanced compliance standards. Supporters argue the measures promote fair wages and workforce development, while opponents counter that the combined requirements could increase construction and procurement costs, reduce flexibility for public bodies, and limit contractor participation — raising concerns about budget impacts and project delivery timelines.

Data Center Legislation

Data center regulation continues to draw significant attention, with nearly 30 bills introduced to address the industry’s rapid expansion and its growing demands on Virginia’s energy infrastructure. Legislators are revisiting proposals stalled in prior sessions, particularly those aimed at ensuring large energy users bear the full cost of their grid impacts and that localities retain meaningful land-use authority.

Teacher Bonuses & Free School Breakfast

The “caboose” budget includes language to support a $1,500 bonus for eligible state-recognized SOQ instructional and support positions, though it must be matched by local governments based on the local composite index ability to pay.

Meanwhile, the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee voted to continue legislation that would provide school breakfast at no cost to students next year. However, the committee signaled a preference to address the issue through the budget process.

Looking Ahead

Crossover is set for February 17, the deadline for bills to pass at least one chamber to remain viable. In the days ahead, committees and floor sessions will focus on advancing priority legislation before shifting to bills from the opposite chamber.

Budget talks will further intensify as the money committees are required to complete their work on the biennial budget by February 22, followed by action in each chamber of origin to finalize their respective budget proposals by February 26. Any remaining differences in spending priorities and policy language will then be resolved as legislators work toward final passage of the budget bill by March 4, at which point it will be sent to Governor Spanberger for her review and recommendations — marking her first opportunity as Governor to decisively weigh in on the budget.

Gov. Spanberger signs bill to enable redistricting referendum 

By Elizabeth Beyer, Cardinal News

Virginia Supreme Court will hear redistricting challenge

By Brakkton Booker, POLITICO

Democrats preach affordability, Republicans question new Virginia tax proposals

By Cameron Thompson, CBS 6 News Richmond

New governor could see new versions of old bills seeking to regulate the data center industry

By Tad Dickens, Cardinal News

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