Not only is Virginia seriously underfunding its public schools, but the pipeline for K-12 teachers has proven to be inadequate.
In Virginia, $8.4 billion in funding has been announced with over 240 specific infrastructure projects identified for funding. Nearly $6 billion will go to transit upgrades,, and another $290 million for clean water and water infrastructure.
Last Hurrah LLC, a poultry farm in Accomack County, will use a $420,000 grant to purchase and install a 577.15 kilowatt roof photovoltaic system; the energy generated from the new system is projected to offset almost 100% of the electricity consumption for the houses in the area with a simple payback of approximately 17 years.
Democratic candidates for Virginia’s legislature say that voters need affordable housing, greater investment in education, more worker protections, and more.
In Sept. 2020, the median home sale price in Virginia was $354,400. As of Sept. 2023, that figure had risen to $412,800, a 16% increase, according to Redfin. Renters are also paying more in Virginia. At the end of 2020, the average cost of rent in the commonwealth was $1,660. As of Nov. 2023, that figure has risen to $1,946, a 17% increase.
