Democrats Deliver Nearly $1 Billion in Funding for Public Schools, Defeat Costly Permanent Tax Cuts for Corporations and the Rich

House Republicans had originally passed a budget that included $1 billion in costly permanent tax giveaways for corporations and the rich, while Senate Democrats passed a budget that invested $1 billion in public education. The final budget deal included more than $900 million for K-12 public schools.

“As a mom, I couldn’t be happier to see Democrats stand strong and fight for a budget that invests in our kids instead of millionaires and corporations,” said Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “Freedom Virginia’s ‘Show Me Your Values’ Tour rallied lawmakers, advocates, and community members across Virginia this summer to make it clear that the budget should prioritize our schools over corporations and the wealthy. Our work is not done. Republicans wanted to give $1 billion in special interest tax handouts, while Democrats fought for school investment. Thanks to Democrats standing strong, Virginia is investing in our classrooms instead of corporate profit margins.”

Highlights of the final budget include:

• Investing over $900 million in Virginia’s public schools including:

  • Mostly lifting Virginia’s arbitrary cap on state funding for support staff, which will provide more state funding to cover an additional 3,670 support staff across the Commonwealth.

  • Over $400 million in one-time flexible funding, with most of the funds going to school divisions with many low-income students.

• Approves less than $100 million of the Governor’s proposed $1 billion tax scheme, fully rejecting the worst of the permanent tax giveaways that would primarily benefit millionaires and corporations.

• Continues Virginia’s reinsurance program with the goal of lowering health insurance premiums purchased through the Exchange by 15%

  • Inaction would have allowed premiums to increase by 28.4%

Background 

Freedom Virginia’s “Show Me Your Values” Tour spanned multiple cities across Virginia and included speakers who highlighted the need to include $1 billion in funding for Virginia’s public schools.

• Loudoun

  • Loudoun Now: Loudoun’s General Assembly Delegation Pushes for Education Funds in Final Budget Debate

• Virginia Beach

  • Virginian-Pilot: As Negotiations Drag On, Virginia Budget Amendments Hang in the Balance.

• Harrisonburg

  • Augusta Free Press: Harrisonburg, Rockingham County leaders urge governor, lawmakers to put education first

• Henrico

  • WRIC: Education officials, Democratic lawmakers hold Billboard Tour Urging Gov. Youngkin to Invest in Education.