When the House of Delegates and Senate meet to resolve more than $1 billion in differences between their two budgets, they will also have to find a way to put together the two pieces that each holds to a puzzle to solve an impending financial crisis for the Washington Metro transit system that makes Northern Virginia's economy run.
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"This investment would benefit Virginians statewide without imposing fees or tolls on them at a time of uncertainty," Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said of the Senate budget proposal, which would repeal the state sales tax exemption for data centers and increase the regional lodging tax.
Photos: Crossover Day at the Virginia General Assembly
Del. Delores Oates, R-Warren, sits in the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi presides over the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building on Tuesday.
Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, left, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, speak in the Senate chamber Tuesday.
Del. Tommy Wright, R-Lunenberg, left, and Del. Eric Phillips, R-Henry, vote in the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
“There are over 90,000 of these games that are illegal that are out there. This bill puts a cap on that,” said state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, arguing for his Senate Bill 661.
Sen. Tara Durant, R-Stafford, left, and Sen. Christie New Craig, R-Chesapeake, sit in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, sits in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
A lobbyist looks at his phone while walking through the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Del. Tommy Wright, R-Lunenberg, sits in the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, speaks in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
“Regardless of your immigration status, schools should be a safe place for students,” said Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, speaks at the Virginia Capitol Building on Tuesday.
House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, presides over the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol Building on Tuesday.
Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, speaks in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building.
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Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, sits in the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, speaks in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, speaks in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
“There are other (funding streams for school construction) now, and we've dedicated those funds, and we ought to use those funds and not impose an additional burden on voters across the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham.
Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, speaks in the Senate at the Virginia Capitol Building, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
"This investment would benefit Virginians statewide without imposing fees or tolls on them at a time of uncertainty," Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said of the Senate budget proposal, which would repeal the state sales tax exemption for data centers and increase the regional lodging tax.
