House Democrats unveil budget plan that aims to support Virginia families

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The House Democrats have shared their proposed budget for the fiscal years 2026 to 2028, which aims to support residents and families across Virginia.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, the House Democrats announced their proposed budget for fiscal years 2026 to 2028. They have presented a plan that is "focused on responding to federal cuts, lowering cuts, strengthening healthcare, expanding childcare and supporting working families," according to the release.

"Over the past year, federal actions have created real gaps – gaps in healthcare funding, in workforce programs, in education support and in the safety nets that families rely on," said House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian (D-Prince William County). "Virginians should not be collateral damage of decisions made in Washington. This budget backfills those holes, not out of politics, but out of prudence."

He also stated that this budget is about affordability and helping Virginians create stable and secure lives for themselves.

“Governing is not about choosing between compassion and responsibility – it is about delivering both,” Torian said.

The House Democrats' budget is listed below:

Lowering housing costs and expanding supply

• $187.5 million for the Virginia housing trust fund.
• $25 million to create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income housing.
• $17.6 million for the support of rapid rehousing efforts during the federal funding cuts.
• $17 million for eviction prevention assistance.

Expanding access to quality and affordable childcare

• $137.6 million increase for childcare subsidy funding.
  • This will bring the total support to $577 million during the two years, while these slots will serve families that make up to "85% of the state median income," per the release.
• $25 million to create a program for private employers to establish childcare benefits to their employees.

Protecting and expanding affordable healthcare

• It will completely fund Medicaid and CHIP forecasts with a $2.4 billion global fund investment.
• $79.1 million in assistance for Virginians who are losing federal tax credits.
• $63.1 million to partially restore the Medicaid and CHIP reductions.
• To fully restore, for immigrant women, prenatal and postpartum coverage.
• $45 million to protect services in the core public health.
• $10 million for free clinics across the Commonwealth.
• $11.1 million in services for sickle cell disease.

Supporting working families

• Supported an increase in minimum wage to $13.75 an hour in 2027 and $15 an hour in 2028.
• Strengthening and expanding Virginia's paid sick leave policy for workers.
• $20 million to implement collective bargaining between state employees and at-home workers in healthcare.
• Authorized treasury loan for a paid family medical leave program.
• $15.3 million to strengthen the labor law enforcement.

Below are listed the other major investments across the state:

Public education

• $382.9 million for a 2% raise each fiscal year for teachers and staff.
• $400.4 million for flexible funding for each school division.
• $148.4 million to expand support for special education.
• $347 million through casino revenue for school construction.

Higher education

• For continued tuition moderation and affordability.
• An increased support for workforce credentials by adding 18,000.
• "Expanded tuition assistance grants and targeted HBCU and HSI support," according to the release.

Public safety and veterans

• $81.1 million to the state police for any operational and administrative costs.
• $12 million to support sexual assault and domestic violence agencies across the state.
• $10 million to annually increase and expand the safer communities program, which will add up to $40 million over the two years.

Federal uncertainty protection

• $200 million to be deposited into a new federal unanticipated contingency fund.

Employee compensation

• 2% salary increases for each fiscal year to state and state-supported employees.
• $323.5 million to strengthen the state employee health insurance fund.
• $235.1 million for employee bonuses that was signed into law earlier this year.

Natural resources and infrastructure

• More than $600 million for improvements in water quality and environmental impacts.
• $2 billion in capital investments that are focused on improving existing facilities.

The House of Delegates will vote on this budget bill on Thursday, Feb. 26.