06/23/2026
Yesterday I voted NO on the proposed state budget.
A budget illustrates what government actually prioritizes. And while no government budget is perfect, this 605 page proposal has significantly misplaced priorities.
In Virginia, legislators get a simple Yes or No vote on the entire budget. Although this one included several worthy expenditures—raises for teachers, law enforcement, and correction officers, the overall package of government expansion and a 10% increase in spending (of your hard earned money) was something I could not support.
Virginia families are getting squeezed on all sides—groceries, fuel, utilities, and everything else. Instead of offering tax relief on your daily expenses, this budget blew through the $2-3 billion surplus leftover by Governor Youngkin and gave zero help on the grocery tax, car tax, or the higher electric bills coming from policies like RGGI (carbon tax) and the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
What’s worse, is that while your family is tightening their belts and looking for extra work to make ends meet, Democrats decided to give legislators a huge pay increase. Talk about tone deaf!!
The budget also shifted money away from strengthening local sheriffs’ offices and cut millions from the School Resource Officer Grant Program—both critical for keeping our communities and schools safe.
Additionally, it failed to adequately address the rapid expansion of data centers and subsequent issues they create. This is a bipartisan priority in District 62, as our homes are threatened by massive transmission lines that devalue, divide and destroy our rural lands. Data centers continue to enjoy a sales tax break through 2035, while the new energy consumption tax on data centers is a short term measure (expiring in 2028) for a long term challenge.
Lastly, this budget buries major policy changes that should have been standalone bills, carefully examined and debated over the course of several rounds of votes. It resurrects the vetoed retail ma*****na bill, expands abortion language, removes the cap on tuition increases at our public colleges and universities, and creates a partial utility rebate instead of actually fixing the flawed policies driving up energy costs.
I was elected to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, restrain government overreach, defend our liberties, strengthen public safety, and stand firm on conservative principles. That’s why I voted no. Virginians deserve better. 🇺🇸
To the great people of Greene, Madison, Culpeper and Orange, thank you for giving me the honor of representing you in Richmond. Your voice matters, and I’ll continue to work hard for you!
