General Assembly budget leaders finally have something to agree on: they want an additional $1.6 billion from Virginia data centers over the next two years, one way or another.
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Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, points at a fellow delegate on the House floor during a special session at the state Capitol.
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, speaks during a special session of the General Assembly on Thursday. "I think it makes sense to wait for the governor to complete her actions, based on her prior actions," Stuart said Thursday of not rushing to work on a budget deal.
Sen. Mike Peake, R-Lynchburg, speaks during Thursday's special session at the state Capitol. Only Peake and Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico — both former state chairmen of their respective parties — mentioned the state budget, which is the reason for the special session.
Photos: Virginia General Assembly special session on Thursday, April 23
Sen. Stella Pekarsky speaks on the floor of the Virginia Senate in the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Sen. Barbara Favola speaks during a special session called to discuss the budget at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Senator Saddam Salim speaks during a special session called to discuss the budget at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Senator Mamie Locke speaks during a special session called to discuss the budget at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Sen. Mike Peake, R-Lynchburg, speaks during Thursday's special session at the state Capitol. Only Peake and Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico — both former state chairmen of their respective parties — mentioned the state budget, which is the reason for the special session.
Senator David Suetterlein speaks during a special session called to discuss the budget at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg speaks during a special session called to discuss the budget at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore speaks about data center tax breaks and the budget at the capital in Richmond, VA., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Senators listen to debate at the capitol in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, VA., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, VA., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, points at a fellow delegate on the House floor during a special session at the state Capitol.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The House of Delegates met for a special session in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
