Virginia on Fire: Insane Legislative Blitz on Tax Hikes, Sentencing Rollbacks

Virginia on Fire: Insane Legislative Blitz on Tax Hikes, Sentencing Rollbacks

Virginians asked for it, and if the flurry of bills introduced in the 72 hours since Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration pass — and with a Democratic supermajority, they likely will — residents of the Old Dominion are going to get it “good and hard.” If enacted, these proposals would raise taxes substantially, shorten sentences for violent criminals, and erode election integrity statewide.

Virginia voters delivered Spanberger a landslide victory in November over her Republican opponent, then–Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Despite presenting herself as a moderate during the campaign, Spanberger’s congressional voting record — nearly 100% aligned with the Democrats’ progressive agenda — suggested her governance would be anything but.

Let’s start with the tax increases: HB979 would create two new tax brackets. Currently, Virginians are taxed at 5.75% for all income over $17,000. If this bill passes, residents earning between $600,000 and $1 million will be taxed at 8%, and those earning over $1 million will pay 10%.

Before anyone argues that these taxpayers can well afford it, remember that this group includes farmers, small businesses, and sole proprietors — many of whom are about to be “crushed” by the impact.

The advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform sounded the alarm on the proposed new taxes in a piece titled Democrats Pounce On Virginia Taxpayers. ATF noted, “Under unified Democrat control, Virginia is poised to become a tax-hiking outlier in a region full of states that are phasing out their income taxes.”

The article highlights some of the most shocking tax proposals now being advanced by state Democrats.

HB 378 – Imposes a 3.8% net investment income tax on individuals, trusts, and estates beginning in taxable year 2027. If enacted, HB 378 would raise VA’s top marginal income tax rate on portfolio and passive income to 9.55%.

HB 900 – Authorizes sales tax hikes in various transportation districts, imposes a new tax on each and every retail delivery in Northern Virginia (Amazon, Uber Eats, FedEx, UPS, etc.), similar to the one imposed in Minnesota by Gov. Tim Walz (D).

HB 919 – Imposes a firearm and ammunition tax equal to 11% percent of the gross receipts from the retail sale of any firearm or ammunition by a dealer in firearms, firearms manufacturer, or ammunition vendor, as such terms are defined in the bill.

HB 978 – Extends the retail sales and use tax to dry cleaning, landscaping, and other previously exempt services.

Democrats now control the legislature and Governor's office in Virginia.

Here are just a few of the bills they've introduced

– New 4.3% sales tax on Uber Eats, Amazon, etc deliveries.
– New sales tax on admissions to a wide variety of businesses.
– Create two new higher tax…

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 19, 2026

NEW retail and sales taxes coming to Virginia introduced by Virginia Democrats in a single bill:

“Levies the retail sales and use tax on the following services: admissions; charges for recreation, fitness, or sports facilities; nonmedical personal services or counseling; dry… pic.twitter.com/ki96Ngpj6T

— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) January 19, 2026

This legislative blitz has something for everyone — including convicted criminals in the state.

HB863 would “eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing for rape, manslaughter, assaulting a law enforcement officer, possession and distribution of child pornography, and all repeat violent felonies.”

The X user below points out the insanity of this measure. Officer Lew notes the seriousness of these crimes:  “they’re violent, predatory acts that destroy lives.”

These aren’t “low-level” offenses; they’re violent, predatory acts that destroy lives. Removing mandatory minimums hands judges near-total discretion in cases where victims deserve guaranteed accountability…not lighter sentences based on “individual circumstances” that too often…

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) January 20, 2026

BREAKING🚨: Democrats in Virginia have introduced legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for the following crimes:
– Rape
– Manslaughter
– Assault on law enforcement
– Child pornography possession & distribution
– All repeat violent felonies pic.twitter.com/bw1NoQwcnc

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) January 20, 2026

Election integrity in the state would take a hit if HB968 becomes law:

Requires ballot scanner machines to be used to count machine-readable ballots and prohibits such ballots from being counted by hand for any reason or purpose not specifically authorized for by law. “Ballot scanner machine” and “machine-readable ballot” are defined terms under current law.

Democrats have been in power in Virginia for ~48 hours and they’ve already introduced a bill to ban the hand-counting of election ballots…

"Prohibits such ballots from being counted by hand for any reason…" pic.twitter.com/ncKYSqGM1I

— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) January 19, 2026

As one alarmed Virginian reports on X, HB61 would put white men at a distinct disadvantage when bidding on government contracts. According to the post, “For discretionary contracts under $100K, White men are barred from even being considered unless there’s literally no competition. And even then, this bill allows agencies to award contracts to women or minority-owned firms that are 5% more expensive than a bid from a business owned by a White man.”

Democrats in Virginia have introduced a bill that discriminates against White men in government contracting.

For discretionary contracts under $100K, White men are barred from even being considered unless there’s literally no competition.

And even then, this bill allows… pic.twitter.com/tbsrj0NyIK

— Christian Heiens 🏛 (@ChristianHeiens) January 20, 2026

As Stacey reported on Sunday, Spanberger’s first order of business was to “end Virginia’s cooperation with ICE.” Her announcement surprised no one. She’d promised to protect illegal immigrants during her Saturday inaugural address: “And in Virginia, our hard working, law abiding immigrant neighbors will know that when we say that we will focus on the security and safety of all of our neighbors, we mean them too.”

We believe you, Governor.

And, as I reported over the weekend, the Virginia state Senate passed a constitutional amendment on Friday that, if approved by a statewide referendum, would allow the Democrat-controlled legislature to redraw the state’s congressional maps before voters head to the polls this fall. This move could hand the Democrats four new seats in Congress.

This post only scratches the surface of the changes Democrats plan to make now that they control both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly and the governor’s mansion. These developments reflect the dangers of one-party rule operating without meaningful opposition.

With a compliant legislature and a governor whose record foreshadowed exactly this agenda, Virginia Democrats are moving quickly to lock in policies that raise taxes, weaken public safety, and consolidate political power. Whether Virginians believed the campaign rhetoric or were simply disengaged, the consequences are now unmistakable. The question is no longer what Democrats plan to do — but how much damage will be done before voters have another chance to respond.

Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.

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