Virginia Dems pass dozens of bills as part of Spanberger’s affordability agenda

Virginia Democrats say they are making good on their promises to pass bills to lower the cost of living in Virginia.

With the Virginia legislative session past its halfway point, Virginia Democrats say they are making good on their promises to make life more affordable in the state, passing dozens of affordability-related bills out of both chambers of the General Assembly. 

“Over the past few weeks, I’ve been encouraged to see so many of these proposals pass with broad support from across the political spectrum,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Among the bills Spanberger cited was legislation aimed at reducing heating and energy costs for Virginians who need it most, and a bill that would help localities preserve their stock of affordable housing. 

Spanberger also mentioned a bill by state Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling (D-Henrico) to establish a Virginia Weatherization Task Force to improve energy efficiency.

LeVere Bolling said in an interview Thursday that the bills being advanced by Democrats include “practical things” like lowering the cost of utility bills, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, raising the minimum wage, and establishing a prescription drug affordability board. 

“Those things are going to be felt sooner rather than later, and folks are going to start seeing more money in their pockets,” LeVere Bolling said.

She added that Democrats were also trying to bolster Virginia against any negative impacts from the Trump administration. 

State Del. Michael Feggans (D-Virginia Beach) said his bill to modernize the technology used to administer federal benefit programs in Virginia grew out of what he learned from hearings last year about the impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on Virginia. 

“We literally have individuals right now in the Commonwealth who cannot receive benefits sometimes because the system is so outdated,” Feggans said in an interview. 

For their part, state Republicans say Democrats are actually raising the cost of living and online right-wing accounts have pushed a narrative that Spanberger is farther left on issues than she actually is. A Republican state senator compared her to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  

Democrats roll their eyes at such claims noting that many bills this session have passed with bipartisan support. 

“Many of the bills that passed out of the House and are onto the Senate right now are focused on the same issues that got us this majority here, from public safety to transportation to taking care of our constituents and lowering costs,” Feggans said.