Legislators in Virginia are considering a proposed salary increase of nearly 300%, as an amendment for this raise has been included in the budget versions passed by both the Democrat-controlled state Senate and House of Delegates.
Proposed Salary Increase
The amendment would raise the annual salaries of state senators and delegates to $50,000. Currently, senators earn $18,000 annually, and delegates earn $17,640 annually.
This proposed salary hike represents an increase of nearly 300% for Virginia state legislators.
Additional Compensation
Beyond their annual salaries, legislators also receive several forms of additional compensation. These include:
- A $237 per diem while in session.
- Mileage reimbursement of 67 cents per mile for attending meetings when not in session.
- $300 for attending a single meeting, or $400 for attending two meetings in a day, when not in session.
- $1,250 per month for district office maintenance.
Legislative Process and Opposition
Both the Senate and House have passed their respective budget versions, largely along party lines. These versions will now undergo reconciliation to produce a final spending bill for Governor Abigail Spanberger.
Republican Criticism
Virginia Senate Republicans voted against the pay increase amendment and have voiced strong criticism. They highlighted a comparison to teacher salary increases, stating:
"Teachers got a 3% raise. But Democrats give themselves 300%."
Republican Senator Mark Obenshain commented that it is "the wrong time" for such a raise given the focus on affordability for working families. Republicans have also criticized the majority party, noting over 50 new or increased taxes proposed this legislative session after running on an affordability platform.
Key Budget Provisions
Senate Budget Highlights
The Senate's budget version includes:
- Rolling back the data center sales tax exemption.
- A $499 million tax rebate ($100 for single filers, $200 for joint filers).
- Raising the standard deduction.
- Funding for Medicaid.
- Funding for 3% teacher salary increases.
- An investment of $50 million in affordable housing.
- $205.7 million for Metro over the biennium.
House Budget Highlights
The House's budget version includes:
- Allocating $187.5 million for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.
- Creating a $25 million revolving loan fund for mixed-income housing.
- Providing $17.6 million to support rapid rehousing efforts.
- Allocating $17 million for eviction prevention assistance.
- A $137.6 million increase in childcare subsidy funding.
- A net $2.4 billion General Fund investment for Medicaid and CHIP forecasts.
- Support for increasing the minimum wage to $13.75/hour in 2027 and $15/hour in 2028.
- $20 million for implementing collective bargaining for state employees and home healthcare workers.
- 2% raises in each fiscal year for teachers and staff ($382.9 million).
The ultimate inclusion of the legislator pay raise in the final budget remains uncertain as the reconciliation process continues.