The General Assembly adopted a compromise budget on Monday with just over a week to go until the beginning of the fiscal year. There are still some procedural steps to go.
The Senate voted 23 to 16 on a compromise document known as the conference report with two Republicans joining 21 Democrats. They are Senator Todd Pillion (R-6) and Senator Richard Stuart (R-25).
The approval in the House was 71 in favor and 22 voting against. Democrats hold a 64 to 36 majority in this chamber and were joined by a handful of Republicans.
The budget now awaits Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature. A key feature of the bill is a new levy on data centers expected to bring in $600 million to the general fund.
“For the first time anywhere in America, Virginia will institute a statewide energy consumption tax on data centers — an idea I first proposed this spring — to ensure this industry pays its fair share and does not drive up costs for Virginia families,” Spanberger said in a statement soon after approval of the conference report by both chambers.
However, Spanberger said on Tuesday she will take some time before signing the document.
“I will be putting forth some amendments and importantly some of those are technical amendments requested by patrons related to some of the implementation language,” Spanberger said at the end of a press conference.
Spanberger said some of the amendments have been requested by leadership in the House of Delegates and the Senate.
The General Assembly will have to meet again to ratify or reject any amendments and that is scheduled for Monday.
Spanberger made her comments at a press conference in Richmond announcing reforms to the Department of Corrections including the creation of a Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections.
“We will be inviting a wide array of Virginians to participate on the council who want to see continued progress, including but not limited to representatives from community groups, faith-based organizations, healthcare, public safety, education, and formerly incarcerated individuals,” reads a portion of the annual report that was released at the press conference.
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