Lawmakers in Virginia have added an amendment to the Democratic-led budget, which, if approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger would raise legislators’ salaries by 178 percent, or an almost tripling of the original payment.
Why It Matters
According to local reports from ABC and Fox News, the proposal would raise legislative salaries to $50,000, from the current $18,000.
Supporters say the increase could enable a wider range of people to serve in office, rather than limiting legislative roles to those who are wealthy, retired, or able to step away from higher‑paying jobs.
Critics argue the move undercuts Democrats’ emphasis on affordability for working families.
What To Know
The Virginia Budget amendment states that lawmakers’ pay will rise to $50,000 starting in January 2028—after the next General Assembly election—and will require about $2.13 million in the second year of the biennium to fund the increase.
Current salaries are $18,000 for senators and $17,640 for delegates, with legislators also receiving a $237 a day while in session, mileage reimbursements, extra payments for meeting-days ranging from $300 to $400, and $1,250 per month for district offices, according to the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission figures cited by local outlets, including ABC.
Fox News reports that the Senate’s Democratic majority advanced the pay raise proposal as part of broader budget negotiations, arguing that lawmakers’ base pay has not meaningfully changed since 1988 and that low salaries make it difficult for people without independent wealth or flexible jobs to serve.
The Senate’s budget must still be reconciled with the House of Delegates before it can be finalized and sent to Governor Spanberger.
Beyond increasing salaries, the Senate budget highlights include rolling back a data center sales tax exemption, a $499 million tax rebate, an increase in the standard tax deduction, continued Medicaid funding, a 3 percent raise for teachers, $50 million for affordable housing, and $205.7 million for Metro, spread over the two years, according to local coverage.
What People Are Saying
The Virginia Senate GOP posted on X: “Teachers got a 3% raise. But Democrats give themselves 300%”, criticizing the pay rise.
Senator Mark Obenshain, a Republican from Rockingham, told local ABC News reporters that: “It is, I think, the wrong time to do that, when we’re focusing on affordability. It’s supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly.”
Del. Israel O’Quinn, a Republican, told News 5 that: “The General Assembly salaries have been static for a long time. My opinion is that you knew what the job paid when you signed up to do it, and I don’t necessarily see any reason that we need to make such a drastic increase in that.”
What Happens Next
The House and Senate must negotiate a final budget and decide whether to retain the $50,000 salary provision before sending a unified bill to Governor Spanberger.
If adopted, the pay increase would take effect in January 2028, aligning with the start of a new General Assembly term.
