Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, left, listens as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears speaks during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, presides over the House during the first day of the legislative session.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, flips through a binder before being voted the Speaker of the House during the first day of the legislative session on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Members of the House say the Pledge of Allegiance on the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears stands on the dais as Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi speaks to senate pages during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, left, is embraced by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears gestures during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Members of the House bow their heads in prayer on the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, left, listens as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears speaks during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
The gavel sits on the podium as Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, left, listens to Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond, speaks with Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, on the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
A bible belonging to Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, sits on his desk after he is voted the Speaker of the House during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, attends the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond, attaches a pin to his lapel during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, walks down the aisle after being voted the Speaker of the House during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
A copy of the Oath of Office sits on a state senator’s desk during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, swears the Oath of Office before being voted the Speaker of the House during the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Del. Amy Laufer, D-Albemarle, laughs as Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond, takes a selfie on the first day of the legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Senators attend the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond VA., on Wednesday Jan 14, 2026.
Senators attend the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond VA., on Wednesday Jan 14, 2026.
"The people of Virginia have made it clear that the cost of living is very important to them," said Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, a senior member of Senate Finance.
Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, seen Wednesday, stepped down as the Republican Party of Virginia at the end of last year.
Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, attend the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears attends the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond VA., on Wednesday Jan 14, 2026.
A delegate wipes a tear from her eye as Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, is sworn in during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, speaks after being sworn in during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi talks with the outgoing Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
House of Delegates Clerk G. Paul Nardo is sworn in during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, VA., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
House of Delegates Clerk G. Paul Nardo walks in to be sworn in during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond VA., on Wednesday Jan 14, 2026.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, attends the first day of legislative sessions before he is sworn in as Speaker of the House in Richmond, VA., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, walks into his swearing-in during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, VA., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Del Mike Jones, D-Richmond, during the first day of legislative sessions in Richmond, VA., on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered his final State of the Commonwealth report to a Capitol transformed by a Democratic wave in November.
State revenues exceeded the current budget forecast by more than $708 million in the first nine months of the fiscal year, with three more months to go to ensure enough money to pay for spending in the budget by June 30.Â
