This week marks Sine Die, the adjournment of the regular 2025 Legislative Session! A successful session is a combined effort of advocates from our community, tenacious legislative staff, and Virginians across the Commonwealth working together to put forth needed policy. Through many committee meetings, floor sessions, and winter storms, we were able to pass a portfolio of solutions-oriented legislation, including a budget that centers the economic needs of Virginians. To that end, we also passed a resolution allowing for a special session to continue to remain nimble in responding to the economic uncertainty we face as a result of federal actions.
The General Assembly’s Conference Budget
I believe that the General Assembly budget represents a significant step forward in our efforts to create a brighter future as we unleash the potential of the Commonwealth for all Virginians.
First, our budget includes a permanent tax cut for those who take the standard deduction, extends the earned income tax credit, and provides 25 million dollars for an employer assistance in childcare pilot program. Alongside these measures are a $200 and $400 tax rebate for individuals and joint filers, respectively.
Next, our budget makes major strides in the healthcare arena. It provides $686.1 million over the biennium for Medicaid and children’s health insurance; assists our elderly by adding $10 million to provide operating support for nursing homes and $3.2 million for aging and disability services; and addresses the behavioral health crisis by investing an additional $41.2 million for behavioral health and developmental services.
Moreover, the budget works toward fully funding our schools with a $782.4 million increase in state funding, so local appropriations can go to local needs and keeping residential property taxes lower. To that end, this budget removes a limit on state funding for support staff, by allocating $222.9 million to fund those positions, allowing school divisions to fill crucial needs in staffing.
I hope you will agree this budge demonstrates our unwavering commitment to serving all Virginians, by reducing costs for working families across the Commonwealth while taking care of basic needs. See The Commonwealth Institute’s analysis of the proposed budgets here:
What Happens After Sine Die?
You may be wondering what comes next for the General Assembly, now that we have adjourned “sine die. The answer is the Reconvene Session. 30 days after the primary session gavels out, the General Assembly will come back to Richmond to work through any remaining business that lingered from the first session.
During those 30 days between the two sessions, the Governor will go through each bill passed by the General Assembly and 1. Sign it into law, 2. Veto the bill, or 3. Send it back to the General Assembly with amendments.
During Reconvene, the GA will respond to the Governor’s actions on bills including possibly overriding a Governor veto. This serves as the official end of the year’s legislative session as all unfinished business has been dealt with.
Bill Update
My team has done great work tackling major issues like affordable housing, education, good governance, veteran’s needs, and gun violence prevention. Peruse the graphics below to see what is going to the Governor’s desk.
I am extremely humbled by the bipartisan support I gathered on HB2055 and HB2679: two bills addressing what I think may be one of the last moments before a student tragically ends their own life, or that of their classmates.
I am hopefully the Governor will agree that providing targeted information at a critical time – when a threat assessment team has evaluated and determined that a student is a risk – will save lives. These teams already exist in schools and may be comprised of law enforcement, mental health professionals, and school administration. Moreover, schools are already required to share these finding with parents and guardians, so adding safe storage and prevention information at the same time is sensible.
HB2055 passed out of both chambers unanimously, and HB2679 passed out of the House on an 86-13 vote and then unanimously out of the Senate.
More Photos from Session
Academies of Loudoun Superstars
Heading to the Floor
Trailblazing Women of Virginia
Commending Gary T. Settle
Commending A.E. Dick Howard
How My Office Can Help You
Navigating state agencies can be confusing and difficult at times. As your delegate, I can help you communicate with state agencies such as the Virginia Employment Commission, Departments of Taxation, Social Services, Transportation, and more! I can also submit inquiries with those agencies on your behalf and help you engage with the state agency you need. There are limits to what I can do, however. For example, I am unable to expedite cases or force state agencies to favor your inquiry, provide legal advice or recommend a specific attorney, intervene with judicial issues, overturn decisions, or be involved with matters involving private businesses.
Whether you want to bring an issue to my attention, need my office’s assistance, or want to invite me to a community event, please reach out! If there is any way I can assist you, please let me know here: https://atoosareaser.com/help/
Yours in Service,
Atoosa Reaser (she/her)
Virginia House of Delegates
District 27 (Eastern Loudoun)
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