Virginia Democrats began the 2026 year by introducing a huge “wishlist” of new laws and taxes they intend to pass this session.
And Republicans have little power to stop them.
Democrats want to legally mandate huge minimum wage increases, new gun control laws, and constitutional amendments. They’re also planning to pass huge new taxes on Virginians.
The legislative package, advanced by Democrats who now control both chambers and the governor’s office for the first time since 2021, includes a state excise tax on firearm suppressors, a $15 minimum wage requirement, mandatory paid sick leave for all employers, and new restrictions on commonly owned firearms.
Among the most controversial measures is House Bill 207, which would impose a $500 state tax on every suppressor sold at retail in Virginia. The tax comes shortly after the federal government reduced the longstanding $200 National Firearms Act tax on suppressors to zero earlier this year.
Licensed dealers would be required to collect the tax and send proceeds to the state’s general fund, to be spent by lawmakers.
House Bill 271 would prohibit the import, sale, and manufacture of so-called assault firearms and restrict magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Violations could lead to up to a year in jail and fines as high as $2,500. Additional gun control proposals include expanded background check requirements, civil penalties for leaving firearms in vehicles unattended, and new liability standards allowing lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and retailers.
On the economic front, Democrats are reintroducing legislation previously vetoed by outgoing Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. House Bill 1 and its Senate companion would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from $12.41 to $15 per hour by 2028, with an initial increase to $13.77 in January 2027. The legislation passed the General Assembly in 2025 but was vetoed by Youngkin, who called the increase arbitrary and said it imperils market freedom and economic competitiveness.
House Bill 5 would require all private and government employers in Virginia to provide paid sick leave, with workers earning one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours per year.
A separate measure, Senate Bill 2, would create an expensive state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program within the Virginia Employment Commission. Both employees and employers would pay into a fund that would pay qualified workers 80 percent of their weekly wages for up to 12 weeks of leave for major life events like having a child or caring for a seriously ill family member.
House Republican Leader Terry Kilgore questioned the affordability claims behind the Democratic agenda during floor debates.
“For a group that ran on lowering costs, this sure looks like it’s going to make things more expensive,” Kilgore said. Republicans argue that Virginia’s strong economy should be helped by tax cuts, rather than new taxes and laws.
Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle also criticized Democratic proposals as cost-increasing.
“We should be focused on returning money to the people’s pockets,” McDougle said. “That could be done day one by eliminating the Virginia Clean Economy Act, it would put almost $1,000 per residential rate payer back into their pockets.”
Republicans have proposed their own affordability agenda focused on the Commonwealth’s most hated taxes, including the grocery tax and car tax.
“We have the money to do this in the budget without impacting the priorities of the Commonwealth,” Kilgore said, pointing to the surplus created under Youngkin.
State Senator Glen Sturtevant warned about the negative impact of Democratic tax-and-spend policies.
“Energy is one of the biggest pressures on family budgets. Democrats’ policies would raise electric bills and pile on new costs,” Sturtevant said. “Then come the next hits: new taxes on services, new payroll taxes for a government run paid leave program, higher income taxes, and attacks on right to work protections that threaten paychecks and jobs.”
Take a look —
Democrats now control the legislature and Governor's office in Virginia.
Here are just a few of the bills they've introduced
– New 4.3% sales tax on Uber Eats, Amazon, etc deliveries.
– New sales tax on admissions to a wide variety of businesses.
– Create two new higher tax…— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 19, 2026
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke said rising costs means the government must take action with more taxes and spending.
“Families across Virginia are being squeezed by rising costs from housing and health care to childcare and everyday necessities, and they deserve relief. The urgency of this moment is not lost on us,” Locke said.