We’re now less than 3 weeks until the close of the 2026 General Assembly session in Virginia, and the battle lines are being drawn over what they might — and might not — do to address affordability. Of course a major part of what the legislature can do about affordability comes from the state budget. Tax cuts, investments in affordable child care, housing, and health care, the quality of schools, and more are all decided based on how much money we have in our budget, who we tax, and more importantly who we don’t tax. In Virginia we let a lot of super rich folks and big corporations off the hook when it comes to their tax liability, and the best thing in the House and Senate budgets released yesterday is the Senate’s idea to eliminate the data center sales tax exemption. It likely won’t make it entirely across the finish line, but props to Sen. Louise Lucas and others who are showing how serious this issue is.

For a little fun on today’s pod, join us as we break down former Delegate Tim Anderson’s possible return to the General Assembly and why politics should be engaging.