Spanberger talks affordability in address to General Assembly

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Just two days after taking the oath of office, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) addressed a Joint Session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, Jan. 19.

As she did in her inaugural address on Saturday, Jan. 17, Spanberger once again brought up the issue of affordability. She said that, to make life cheaper, lawmakers in the General Assembly must do their part and pass her "Affordable Virginia Agenda."

“In November, Virginians from across the political spectrum united to build one of the broadest coalitions for change in a generation," Spanberger told lawmakers. "They sent a loud and clear message that they want leaders who will work together to deliver results, and I intend to listen to them."

That agenda -- which Spanberger said works to reduce costs in housing, healthcare and energy -- includes proposals like reforms to the prescription drug marketplace, increasing the amount of time tenants have before they can be evicted and battery energy storage. 

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“Healthcare, energy, housing -- three areas where Virginia families are feeling the squeeze and three areas where we can deliver real relief," Spanberger said. "These are commonsense proposals. They’re not about ideology. They’re about results." 

However, in response to Spanberger’s address, Republicans like Senator Glen Sturtevant (R-Colonial Heights) said if Democrats were serious about lowering the cost of living, they shouldn’t have prioritized passing a proposed constitutional amendment last week that could pave the way for mid-decade congressional redistricting in Virginia -- something Spanberger did address in her speech, calling Virginia’s redistricting plan “responsive and targeted.”

"On day one, Democrats chose to push through a partisan gerrymandering map," Sturtevant said. "That does not help one Virginia family pay for groceries, housing or electricity. It’s not an affordability plan, it’s a power grab."

Sturtevant added that legislation proposed by Democrats would raise taxes and drive up Virginians’ electric bills.