The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its regular session in Richmond this week without reaching a final agreement on the state’s next two-year budget, leaving negotiators to continue working toward a compromise in the weeks ahead.
Lawmakers in the House of Delegates and Senate each passed their own versions of the state budget earlier in the session, outlining spending priorities for the upcoming biennium. However, key differences between the two proposals must still be resolved before a final spending plan can be sent to the governor.
Budget negotiators say discussions are ongoing and that they expect a final agreement to emerge through the legislature’s conference committee process.
The state budget is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation passed during each General Assembly session. It determines funding levels for public education, healthcare programs, transportation projects, public safety, and other major government services.
Policy differences between the House and Senate proposals include debates over tax policy, spending priorities, and funding levels for programs aimed at addressing rising costs for Virginia residents.
Once negotiators reach a compromise, the final budget will be approved by both chambers before being sent to the governor for signature or amendment.
If lawmakers are unable to reach agreement during the regular session, they can return to Richmond later in the year for a special session to finalize the spending plan before the next fiscal cycle begins July 1.
How Virginia’s Budget Process Works
Virginia operates on a two-year state budget cycle, known as a biennium.
Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
- 1. Governor introduces a proposed budget
- The governor presents a spending plan outlining priorities for the next two fiscal years.
- 2. House and Senate create their own versions
- Each chamber reviews the proposal and passes its own amended version.
- 3. Conference committee negotiations
- Selected lawmakers from both chambers meet to reconcile differences between the two plans.
- 4. Final approval
- Both chambers vote on the compromise budget.
- 5. Governor’s action
- The governor can sign the budget, suggest amendments, or veto certain items.
- If a final deal is not reached before the legislature adjourns its regular session, lawmakers may return to Richmond for a special session to complete the budget process.
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