Staff Reports
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has wasted no time upending the state’s progress under former Governor Glenn Youngkin, rolling back key measures on immigration enforcement and pushing policies that burden hardworking families. Just days into her term, Spanberger rescinded Youngkin’s executive order requiring state police and corrections officers to assist ICE in apprehending criminal illegal immigrants, effectively signaling open doors to those who flout federal law. This move prioritizes sanctuary-style politics over public safety, leaving law-abiding Virginians to bear the risks of increased crime from unchecked illegal activity.
Compounding the chaos, Spanberger announced Virginia’s reentry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This cap-and-trade scheme drove utility bills higher during its previous stint and was wisely axed by Youngkin. Families already grappling with inflation now face even steeper energy costs, as this green mandate funnels money to unproven climate programs instead of delivering real relief. Democrats’ obsession with such regulations ignores how they crush affordability, turning everyday expenses into punitive fees that hit the working class hardest.
The Democratic-controlled General Assembly is piling on with a barrage of tax hikes that smack of big-government overreach. Proposals include a new tax on food delivery services, such as Uber Eats and Amazon, making it tougher for busy parents and shift workers to put meals on the table without additional government costs. Higher income tax brackets up to 10 percent, a 3.8 percent investment tax, and expanded sales taxes on services like dry cleaning further stifle job creators and small businesses striving to grow in a competitive region.
Even education priorities are skewed, as Democrats defend in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants despite federal challenges under President Trump’s Justice Department, which rightly calls it discrimination against out-of-state American citizens. Taxpayer dollars that should support Virginia kids and legal residents are diverted to reward lawbreakers, undermining fairness and straining public college budgets already stretched thin. This favoritism erodes trust in a system meant to reward citizenship and contribution.
Most egregiously, bills target law-abiding gun owners with an 11 percent sales tax on firearms and ammunition, plus fees on suppressors, in a blatant assault on Second Amendment protections at a time when personal security is paramount. Spanberger’s moderate facade crumbles as her allies push these measures, alienating hunters, sport shooters, and families exercising their rights amid rising threats. Virginians deserve leaders who champion freedom and safety, not penalize them for defending what’s theirs. Elections have consequences, and this radical lurch demands a swift course correction at the polls.
