Freedom Virginia 2024 Affordability Scorecard
Freedom Virginia — a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to building a Commonwealth where all families have the financial freedom to thrive — today announced the results of their 2024 Affordability Scorecard. This session, Freedom Virginia tracked votes on a set of key bills that would make Virginia more affordable for hardworking families. The legislation would have impacted areas including health care, paid leave, labor and consumer protection, taxes, child care, energy and housing.
Virginians deserve to know what votes their legislators took this session when it comes to lowering costs for all Virginians. All of the bills included in the scorecard will ensure hardworking families can keep more of their hard-earned money, including by lowering the cost of medicine, providing paid medical leave in the event of health and family emergencies, and expanding access to affordable child care and housing.
Freedom Virginia is highlighting the following leaders as champions and allies of the cause. Freedom Virginia is spending over $60,000 on a mail and digital program to acknowledge our champion legislators for their support of our policy agenda and to educate the public on their legislators’ records on these key pocketbook issues.
Affordability Champions
Senator Jennifer B. Boysko
Senator Creigh Deeds
Senator Mamie Locke
Senator Stella Pekarsky
Senator Todd Pillion
Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg
Delegate Ellen Campbell
Delegate Karrie K. Delaney
Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling
Delegate Adele McClure
Delegate Briana Sewell
Delegate Kathy Tran
Economic Security Allies
Senator Adam Ebbin
Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy
Senator Jeremy McPike
Senator Aaron Rouse
Senator Saddam Salim
Senator Suhas Subramanyam
Senator Angelia Williams Graves
Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Powhatan)
Delegate Bonita Anthony
Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Delegate Betsy Carr
Delegate Katrina Callsen
Delegate Rae Cousins
Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler
Delegate Joshua Cole
Delegate Laura Jane Cohen
Delegate Nadarius Clark
Delegate Jackie Glass
Delegate Debra Gardner
Delegate Phil Hernandez
Delegate Rozia Henson
Delegate Mike Jones
Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra
Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado
Delegate Marty Martinez
Delegate Alfonso Lopez
Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price
Delegate Sam Rasoul
Delegate Atoosa Reaser
Delegate Holly Seibold
Delegate Shelly Simonds
Delegate Marcus Simon
Delegate Josh Thomas
Delegate Rodney Willett
Legislation to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs
Prescription Drug Affordability Board – SB 274 & HB 570
This bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of medicine for Virginians by creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, an independent body of health and medical experts that uses proven, data-based strategies that are already working in other states.
Virginians pay on average 36% more than most Americans for medications, spending an average of $1500 a year. Prescription drug costs have skyrocketed in Virginia and across the nation; in 2023, pharmaceutical companies hiked the prices of 112 prescription drugs above the rate of inflation. Due to these unaffordable costs, Virginians are forced to choose between life-saving medications and other essentials like food. Medicare now has the power to negotiate the prices of drugs with pharmaceutical companies, and a Prescription Drug Affordability Board would help lower costs for the 7 million+ Virginians not on Medicare.
SB274: Vetoed by Governor
Senate: 23-16
House: 50-47
Vote History here
HB570: Vetoed by Governor
House: 52-46
Senate: 25-15
Vote History here
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency – SB 660 & HB 1402
These bills, which have been signed into law, will increase reporting requirements to shed light on the rebates and fees collected by Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or “PBMs,” and strengthen enforcement provisions that keep this information hidden. Transparency on how money flows from manufacturers through PBMs and ultimately to insurance companies, providers, and consumers is critical to understanding the prescription drug market.
PBMs are “middlemen” in the pharmaceutical industry between the drug manufacturers and pharmacies. They are companies that manage prescription drug insurance benefits on contract with health insurers, Medicare Part D drug plans, large employers, and other payers.
Three companies make up 79% of the market, and many have financial interests tied to particular pharmacies. PBMs directly shape costs and access to medications, but consumers have very little access to the information about their business dealings. They develop the lists, or formularies, of medications for health plans, including covered drugs and out-of-pocket costs for patients. They also negotiate rebates and discounts from drug manufacturers, and contract directly with pharmacies to reimburse them for drugs dispensed to patients. Their financial interests often conflict with the interests of patients. For example, they have an incentive to favor high-cost drugs over those that are more affordable. This bill does nothing to change existing industry practice – it simply requires increased data transparency, which is necessary to ensure fair costs to consumers.
SB660: Signed by Governor
Senate: 40-0
House: 98-0
Vote History here
HB1402: Signed by Governor
House: 100-0
Senate: 40-0
Vote History here
Office of Pharmaceutical Services – SB 122 & HB 1348
This legislation would establish an Office of Pharmaceutical Services to develop and execute a plan to consolidate state agency prescription drug purchasing to increase efficiency in prescription drug purchasing and constrain spending on prescription drugs.
This bill would direct the Department of General Services to develop a plan to consolidate state agency prescription drug spending and to streamline pharmacy benefit management by the Commonwealth to save taxpayers money and improve efficiency.
The problem of rising drug prices affects all Virginians, not just those who rely on life-saving medications. In fiscal year 2023, the Commonwealth spent more than $3 billion in taxpayer dollars on prescription drugs. The Commonwealth’s drug spending – encompassing Medicaid, the state employee health plan, and our behavioral health facilities – has increased 58% from 2020 to 2023. This bill would help all of our state agencies and departments plan to manage and interact with drug procurement or health plan pharmacy benefits more efficiently and effectively by harnessing the Department of General Services’ strength at saving state agencies money when purchasing products in bulk.
SB122: Passed by indefinitely in Senate Finance & Appropriations
Vote History here
HB1348: Continued to 2025 in House Appropriations
Vote History here
Legislation to Lower the Cost of Living
Increasing Minimum Wage to $15/hour – SB 1 & HB 1
These bills would increase the minimum wage from its current $12/hr to $13.50/hr effective January 1st, 2025, and increase it again to $15/hr by January 1, 2026.
No one who works 40 hours per week should struggle to support their families. Research shows that moderate increases in wages benefit both businesses and workers. A moderate increase to the minimum wage has little or no negative effect on employment numbers, and can lead to improved worker productivity, reduced employee turnover, and increased employee morale. Minimum wage workers often rely on government assistance to make ends meet, so raising the minimum wage would reduce the need for these programs.
SB1: Vetoed by Governor
Senate: 21-19
House: 51-47
Vote History here
HB1: Vetoed by Governor
House: 51-49
Senate: 21-18
Vote History here
Removing the Farm Worker Exemption from Minimum Wage Law – HB 157
This legislation removes the exemption placed on farm workers and temporary foreign workers in Virginia’s minimum wage law.
Currently, farm laborers and temporary foreign workers in Virginia are exempt from state minimum wage requirements, meaning that their employers can still pay them at the federal minimum wage rate, which is $7.25/hr. This bill would put them under Virginia minimum wage, raising their income to the state minimum.
Research shows that paying workers a living wage increases worker productivity, reduces employee turnover, and increases employee morale. When an exemption such as this one is written into state code, it reinforces the structural economic barriers that low-income and immigrant workers face, making it harder for them to create the prosperous life they are working so hard for. Temporary foreign workers and farm laborers do work which benefits our economy and should be protected by the same legislation that protects other Virginia workers.
HB157: Vetoed by Governor
House: 50-49
Senate: 20-19
Vote History here
Banning Surprise Junk Fees – SB 388 & HB 1320
A “junk fee” is any mandatory fee for which the consumer does not receive a good or service, such as administrative fees or processing fees. This bill would require that all mandatory fees are disclosed in the original advertised price to avoid an unpleasant price hike at checkout. While this bill cuts across the entire economy, the industries that most commonly use junk fees to hide the full cost of a good or service are hospitality, rental cars, and entertainment.
It is estimated that junk fees cost families on average $3,200 a year, and customers faced with hidden fees often pay twenty percent more than they had originally budgeted. Responsible businesses- often small businesses- price fairly and transparently and can seem more expensive than bigger businesses that hide their mandatory fees when advertising prices. Consumers can only take advantage of the free market if they have access to accurate information.
SB388: House rejected conference report
Senate: 28-11
House: 66-30
Vote History here
HB1320: Continued to 2025 in House Labor & Commerce
Vote History here
Legislation to Invest in Hardworking Virginians
Paid Family & Medical Leave – SB 373 & HB 737
A Paid Family Medical Leave program in Virginia would create an insurance program, much like unemployment insurance, that both employers and employees would pay into, providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 80% of a worker’s regular paycheck for qualifying medical events. Virginia is the only state in the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia area) that has not passed a state paid leave program.
3.5 million Virginians currently do not have access to paid family & medical leave, meaning they have no guarantee of income while caring for themselves, a new child, or a loved one during a serious illness or injury. A typical Virginia worker taking 4 weeks of unpaid leave loses $3,700 in income. With access to paid family medical leave, Virginians would no longer be forced to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves and their families when life-changing medical events arise.
SB373: Vetoed by Governor
Senate: 21-19
House: 50-46
Vote History here
HB737: Left in House Appropriations
Vote History here
Paid Sick Leave – HB 348
No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. This legislation would ensure that all Virginia workers are able to take up to five paid days off work each year if they get sick, accruing PTO based on the number of hours they work.
In addition to granting leave for illness or injury, this bill would provide time off to care for sick loved ones or to re-locate due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
An expanded system of paid sick leave allows for employers and employees to be prepared when unexpected illness or injury occurs. Encouraging employees to take time off without the risk of lost income also keeps other employees healthy, as sick employees staying home do not spread illnesses to their coworkers. A healthy workforce boosts overall economic prosperity and growth.
HB348: Continued to 2025 in House Appropriations
Vote History here
Public Utility Shut-off Protections – HB 906 and SB 480
The legislation, which has been signed into law, will prevent electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting residential customers from service on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, and the day immediately preceding a state holiday. It also requires each utility to notify its residential customers of the disconnection policy and to deliver notice of nonpayment to such customers prior to disconnection.
In a state of emergency or extreme temperatures, access to utilities such as water and electricity can be the difference between life and death; heat, water, and the ability to communicate with the outside world and receive news can be lifesaving resources. Extreme temperatures are especially dangerous to infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Nonpayment of utility bills should not be life or death.
HB906: Signed by Governor
House: 76-24
Senate: 38-2
Vote History here
SB480: Signed by Governor
Senate: 40-0
House: 77-21
Vote History here
Legislation to Create a Fair Tax System
Earned Income Tax Credit – HB 621 and SB 183
In Virginia, 10.2% of the population lives below the poverty line. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) allows working Virginians living below the poverty line to claim a refundable income tax credit, and this bill would increase the refundable amount from 15 to 20 percent of the federal earned income tax credit.
This bill would allow low-wage workers to reclaim more of their hard-earned income for housing, groceries, medical care, and other necessities. Letting people keep more of what they earn lessens the burden on state assistance programs and boosts the economy as workers can spend their income more freely.
HB621: Continued to 2025 with amendments in House Finance
Vote History here
SB183: Continued to 2025 in Senate Finance & Appropriations
Vote History here
Child Tax Credit – HB 969
This bill would create a $500 tax credit claimable for each dependent under the age of 18 for individuals or married couples filing jointly whose income does not exceed $100,000 per year.
The estimated yearly cost of raising a child in Virginia is $23,029 per year, over 25% of the average median household income in the state. The Child Tax Credit would let parents keep more of what they earn to help pay for the care and education of their children. Income stability is important for children’s health, safety, and mental well-being, and healthy and successful children create healthy and successful adults.
HB969: Continued to 2025 in House Finance
Vote History here
Fair Share Tax Act – HB 865
This legislation would create a new income tax bracket that would tax income earned above $1 million at a 10% rate. The bill would direct 50% of revenues generated by the new tax bracket to public schools, 30% to the Child Care Subsidy Program to help hardworking families afford child care, and 20% to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to lower the cost of housing for the middle class.
Currently in Virginia, the highest tax bracket (taxed at 5.6%) begins at just $17,000 per year, when the poverty guidelines for an individual begin at $36,450 per year. The Fair Share Tax Act would ensure that the ultra-rich are paying their fair share of taxes to fund our schools and make childcare and housing more affordable for hardworking Virginians.
HB865: Continued to 2025 in House Finance
Vote History here
Legislation to Make Health Care More Affordable and Accessible
Early Childhood and Education Fund – HB 419 and SB 54
This legislation, which has been signed into law, establishes the Early Childhood and Education Fund. Additionally, it requires the Department of Education to annually report and project funding needed for the upcoming two fiscal years to maintain the current number of slots and increase them to meet parent demand at early childcare and education sites.
HB419: Signed by Governor
House: 85-13
Senate: 40-0
Vote History here
SB54: Signed by Governor
Senate: 40-0
House: 90-9
Vote History here
Eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program – HB 407
This bill, which has been signed into law, ensures that any family receiving public assistance from Medicaid or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children will qualify for assistance through the Child Care Subsidy Program to help them pay for child care. This bill simply amends the current code to include these families.
The Child Care Subsidy Program aims to empower parents or caregivers to work, search for work, or participate in education and training. It also provides the opportunity for high-quality early education for children not yet old enough for public schools.
HB407: Signed by Governor
House: 95-0
Senate: 39-0
Vote History here
Employee Child Care Assistance Program – HB 1216
This bill would create a pilot program to establish the Employee Child Care Assistance Program, which would provide matching funds to incentivize employers to contribute to the child care costs of their employees. Funds would be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, but the program would be encouraged to prioritize small businesses.
Child care programs can cost hundreds of dollars per week for just one toddler, and some parents spend their entire paycheck on child care. Many others have dropped out of the workforce because they don’t have anyone to watch their kids. For our economy to thrive, Virginia parents need more options for affordable child care.
HB1216: Left in Senate Finance & Appropriations
House: 87-8
Vote History here
Mixed Delivery Grant Program and Child Care Subsidy Program – HB 1375
This bill would codify both the Mixed Delivery Grant Program and the Child Care Subsidy Program. The Mixed Delivery Grant Program would be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education, and the Child Care Subsidy Program would be overseen by the Department of Education. Essentially, the bill provides more structure and oversight for the two programs and moves the responsibility for their execution to the Department of Education and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.
Child care for children under the age of 3 can be the least accessible and most costly, and the Mixed Delivery Grant Program and Child Care Subsidy Program already provide eligible families with public funding for early childhood care and education. Every Virginia child deserves a strong start in life; as Virginia looks to grow and strengthen its economy, it has to tackle the barriers that prevent young working families from succeeding and make a longterm commitment to affordable child care.
HB1375: Continued to 2025 in Senate Finance & Appropriations
House: 90-9
Vote History here
Legislation to Make Child Care More Affordable and Accessible
Payment Parameters for the Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program – HB 591
This bill, which has been signed into law, requires the State Corporation Commission, the body that regulates insurance, utilities, and businesses in Virginia, to set payment parameters that achieve the premium reduction target in the Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program, which subsidizes plans sold on Virginia’s new health exchange. The Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program aims to reduce health insurance costs by reimbursing insurance carriers for a portion of their high-cost claims. This bill ensures that this program is running as smoothly as possible, and with the most economic benefit to Virginians.
With the average cost of health insurance in Virginia for one adult being between $400-600 a month, it is vital that the systems in place keep the plans sold on the marketplace affordable. This bill would help accomplish that, as the majority of Virginians shopping on the marketplace are able to purchase a plan for about $10 per month.
HB591: Signed by Governor
House: 96-0
Senate: 39-0
Vote History here
Cover all Kids – SB 231
This bill would establish state-funded comprehensive health care for children and individuals under 19 years old who are not eligible for Medicaid or the Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP) due to their immigration status.
Currently, 13,000 children in Virginia are without health care due to their immigration status, and approximately 9,000 of those children live below the poverty line. These children would otherwise qualify for state assistance, but cannot receive it due to their immigration status. This bill would get Virginia closer to the goal of having all children healthy and insured.
SB231: Tabled in House Appropriations
Senate: 21-19
Vote History here
Legislation to Make Housing More Affordable and Accessible
ADU Permitting – SB 304
Increasing supply will help bring down the cost of housing. This bill would require localities to allow permits for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) as a permitted accessory use in residential areas. An ADU is a secondary housing unit, such as a guesthouse or trailer, that shares a lot with a larger home. The bill would cap the charge for an ADU permit at $250.
ADU’s can help families house grandparents, adult children or other relatives. They are also an opportunity for families to generate income from renters.
SB304: Continued to 2025 with substitute in House Cities, Counties & Towns
Senate: 22-18
Vote History here
Locality ADU Programs – SB 597
Increasing housing supply will help bring down the cost of housing. This bill would authorize any locality in the Commonwealth to provide for an affordable housing dwelling unit program by amending its zoning ordinance. Current law restricts such authorization to counties with an urban county executive form of government or county manager plan of government and certain other localities.
SB597: Vetoed by Governor
Senate: 21-19
House: 52-45
Vote History here
Development Rights for Affordable Housing- HB 878
This bill would permit any local government to purchase development rights or accept the donation of development rights in an effort to preserve and provide affordable housing. The bill grants local governments the powers necessary to carry out the purchase of such development rights and prohibits the conversion or diversion of such affordable housing once the development rights are purchased, ensuring that the affordable housing remains accessible.
Many Virginians are finding housing more inaccessible as large developments of “luxury” housing take up the market and drive the rising cost of housing. This bill would ensure that Virginia localities are able to create and keep affordable housing options for their residents.
HB878: Continued to 2025 in Senate General Laws & Technology
House: 85-15
Vote History here