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.
Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, sits on the floor of the Senate 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.
"I expect we will need to be cautious in allocating this new revenue, given the national economic uncertainty, targeted reductions in the federal and private sectors, and a slowdown in payroll withholding," said Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington.
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.
House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, talks on his phone as Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, writes a note at the special session in Richmond on Thursday.
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.
