Only one week into the new Democrat-led legislative session in Virginia and Democrats are proposing tax hikes and a policy that is expected to cost households over $1,000 per year.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Virginia Democrats won their elections in November 2025 because of their promises to make Virginia more affordable.
Spanberger was sworn in as governor on Saturday, and her first executive order was geared toward affordability. “My first executive order as governor directs my entire administration to identify where we can reduce costs for Virginians. We must lower costs in housing, health care, child care, and energy. Families deserve relief,” Spanberger said.
Republicans, however, are analyzing the policy proposals coming out of Democrat-controlled Richmond and suggest Democrats have introduced at least seven pieces of legislation that will increase living costs for Virginians.
One of Spanberger’s first moves as governor is expected to increase families’ electric bills by $1,100 per year. Spanberger wants Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin pulled out of this initiative in 2023.
Critics call the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative a “backdoor carbon tax,” and rejoining the initiative will cost Virginians roughly $500 million per year for electricity; that’s $1,100 per household electric bill.
“As expected, Virginia Democrats spent months lying to Virginians that their policies would promote affordability,” Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., told The Daily Signal. “In the first two days, they have voted to take more money out of your pocket through higher taxes.”
“Their first week of the legislative session was filled with proposals to raise taxes on everyone, increase regulation, and reinstate the costly RGGI initiative,” Kiggans continued.
“Democrats promised affordability, but one week into the session, we haven’t seen anything yet,” House Republican Leader Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, told The Daily Signal. “Higher taxes and higher power bills don’t put money back into the pockets of Virginia family,” Kilgore continued.
Virginia Democrats have also proposed a slew of new taxes. These proposals include a 4.3% tax on delivery services on Uber Eats and Amazon, a new extended sales tax, raising the hotel tax, an 11% tax on gun purchases, new higher tax brackets of 8% and 10%, and a 3.8% investment tax.
“All Virginians will once again be left footing the bill for these Democrat socialist, progressive policies—handing over more of their hard-earned money to the government,” said Kiggans.
Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to combat these proposals.
“The House Republicans are taking decisive action to put more money back in the pockets of every Virginian,” Del. Anne Ferrell Tata, R-VB, told The Daily Signal. “I am proud to introduce HB 703 to eliminate the remaining 1% local grocery tax. Virginians should not be taxed on food and basic necessities,” she announced.
Kollin Crompton, Republican Governors Association deputy communications director, told The Daily Signal that Spanberger is “a radical who is willing to push the most extreme policies of her party while raising taxes on Virginia families.”
“Life just got harder and more expensive thanks to Spanberger,” continued Crompton.
Spanberger’s office coould not be reached for comment.
