The Virginia General Assembly failed to agree on a budget before its March 10 deadline this weekend, pushing the legislature into a Special Session which will ultimately pose extra costs to taxpayers.
Joshua Karp, spokesperson for the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, said conflicting partisan goals led Senate Democrats to veto both the Senate budget and the governor's proposed budget.
"Democrats feel that we need to write a budget that includes all of Virginia," Karp said. "The [current proposed] budget cuts Medicaid eligibility for senior citizens and people in nursing homes... and will force 4,500 senior citizens out on the street from nursing homes."
The Senate Democrats also believe the Assembly needs to reevaluate its funding priorities before a budget can be passed, Karp added.
"The Republicans have passed a bill that will send millions of dollars to private schools, while we are spending less money on education than we were in 2009, at the height of the recession," he said.
Assembly procedure requires an annual budget to be passed at the end of the 60-day legislative session, but this year the legislature was unable to come to an agreement.
Delays in budget agreements have not been atypical in the last decade for the Virginia Assembly. In 2001, spending negotiations lasted until June, and three years later, the budget was 55 days late. In 2006 it took 102 days.
"The fact that we couldn't come to an agreement in the 60 days is unfortunate, but this is normal - it often takes time to come to the budget," Karp said.
The longer it takes the Assembly to pass a budget, however, the higher the cost of the Special Session, said Carmen Bingham, spokesperson for Del. David Toscano, in an email.
"The best guess figures depend on varying factors, ranging $700 (pro forma minimum) to $40,000 (full session, full attendance) per day," Bingham said.
Read More
A look at the past, present and future renovations of the Academical Village
By Brandon Kile | 48 minutes agoUNESCO selected the Academical Village to be inducted as a World Heritage Site in 1987, making it the only American university to hold the honor.
University advances sustainability goals outlined in 2030 Plan
By Vyshnavi Tatta | 2 days agoAs part of the 2030 Plan’s goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 and fossil fuel-free operations by 2050, the University has prioritized environmental resilience and sustainability.
U.Va. researchers identify that HIV drugs can protect against Alzheimer’s disease
By Lauren Seeliger | May 22, 2025Doctor Jayakrishna Ambati and his research team have begun work on a new drug called K9 which could treat and prevent Alzheimer’s.
