Old Dominion News

The Virginia House of Delegates passed the amended 2020-2022 biennial budget (HB 1800) by a vote of 68-30, Friday.

According to the Virginia House Democrats, the budget amendments will fund policies that will help support their 2021 agenda which they say is focused on making the state better.

The House Democrats also say the budget will protect the Commonwealth’s “AAA” bond rating by placing an additional $130 million into Virginia’s revenue reserves.

The FY 2020-2022 budget includes allocating $231.4 million for five percent teacher pay raises that could enhance education, $429.5 million for no-loss payments to public schools, on top of the $1.3 billion in federal relief and $51.1 million to address COVID-19 learning loss.

The Virginia House Democrats also stated that funding will be allocated to support a 1:325 school counselor-to-student ratio, 3.5 percent pay hike for state employees, and “$84 million to maintain affordable access to Virginia colleges and universities and $8.5 million to increase Tuition Assistance Grant awards and include online students.”

While Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn said that “with this budget, Virginians will be safer, healthier and more prosperous,” Virginia House Republicans argued that the Democrats will “kill jobs in Southwest Virginia so NoVa can get a $4,500 rebate on a Tesla,” blocked an amendment to open schools, and is amenable to “reduce sentences for child porn convictions.”