TCI

Virginia’s Budget Opportunity: Turning Fair Tax Choices into Needed Investments - The Commonwealth Institute Virginia budget negotiations will shape investments in schools, health care, and tax fairness. See what’s at stake in the House and Senate plans.

Fair tax choices create #VaBudget opportunities.

Recent #VaLeg proposals — including rejecting corporate giveaways & closing the data center tax loophole — would help fund critical investments in schools, health care & families.

What’s in the plans⤵️

A Refundable State EITC is a Boost to Working Families: See How Much - The Commonwealth Institute The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a commonsense way to support families with low to moderate incomes. According to 2022 data, over 500,000 working families in Virginia receive the federal Earned ...

The difference between getting the full credit you earned and only part of it? Refundability

#Virginia’s 20% refundable #EITC puts more $$ in working families’ pockets to help cover costs.

See how much it can help — why #VaLeg should make it permanent⬇️

Virginia workers set to see minimum wage increase to $15 Virginia workers and businesses are preparing for increases in the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028.Legislation to increase the Commonwealth's current $12.77 per hour minimum wage passed the

Paychecks go up — and working people come out ahead.

Evidence shows #MinimumWage increases boost earnings with little to no overall employment impact.

TCI Pres. & CEO Ashley Kenneth on why #RaiseTheWageVa matters:

Session 2026: Key Budget Policy Choices - The Commonwealth Institute Session 2026 Virginia budget analysis: Explore key funding proposals affecting schools, health care, and community priorities.

It’s here!

Our side-by-side comparison of the money committee #VaBudget proposals is now live.

See how the introduced, House, and Senate plans stack up compared to the current budget at:
thecommonwealthinstitute.org/tci_research...

thanks, Roger! we'll delete this and get the proper link posted

Virginia Money Committees Reject Corporate Tax Breaks, Restore Health Care Funding, and Boost School Funding; Senate Requires Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share - The Commonwealth Institute Additional work is needed to make even more transformative investments in long-underfunded public services Today, Ashley Kenneth, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (T...

After Youngkin's harmful #VaBudget proposal, #VaLeg is correcting course.

✅ Corporate tax breaks rejected
✅ Health funding restored
✅ Extra $ for schools
✅ Data centers to pay their share per Senate

More work ahead.

Graphic says a single parent with three children working as a home health aide could save $1,115 from eliminating the grocery tax, a larger standard deduction, a child tax credit, and a stronger Earned Income Tax Credit, helping pay for groceries, utilities, or savings.

Graphic says a one-income family with toddlers earning about $34,410 could save $1,314 through a larger standard deduction, no grocery tax, child tax credits, and a bigger Earned Income Tax Credit, helping during expensive parenting years.

Graphic states a married mid-career public-servant couple (teacher and firefighter) could save $226 from a larger standard deduction and eliminating the grocery tax, providing steady savings that help with rising costs and long-term security.

Graphic asks “Who benefits most?” and lists families with children, lower-income households, and many middle-income workers. Text explains requiring wealthy residents to pay more of their fair share would help Virginia invest in services families rely on and reduce other costs. TCI logo shown.

Tax policy isn’t abstract — it shows up in grocery bills, child care, and monthly budgets.

These examples illustrate what key options could mean for Virginia households — who would also benefit from the wealthy paying their #FairShare.

#Affordability #TaxFairness4Va

Advertisement for a Zoom webinar titled "Holding the Line: Building worker power in the states when federal labor laws are under attack," scheduled for February 19, 2026, at 3 pm. Logos for EPI and EARN are visible, along with icons representing various labor concepts.

Happening Thursday!

Federal labor laws are under attack — and states are stepping in.

Join this convo, including TCI staff, on how state policy can strengthen worker rights and #CollectiveBargaining.

Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317696982592/WN_HxtkoOSzRj-t58OLcjyNSw

Safety, Trust, and Affordability: The Real Costs of Federal Immigration Enforcement in Virginia - The Commonwealth Institute Federal immigration enforcement in Virginia affects safety, trust, and affordability as budget cuts shift costs to communities

Safety, trust, and affordability are connected.

Federal funding choices are putting all three at risk in Virginia.

Our new report explains the real costs of federal immigration enforcement.

TCI promotional graphic titled “Virginia Budget Breakdown.” Lists Wednesday, February 25 at 12:00 PM and a “Register Today” button; advertises analysts discussing differences between proposed budgets in education, health care, and next steps. Money background with “20 TCI & Beyond” logo.

Gráfico promocional de TCI titulado “Resumen del Presupuesto Fiscal de Virginia.” Indica miércoles 25 de febrero a las 12:00 PM e invita a registrarse hoy para escuchar a analistas explicar diferencias presupuestarias en educación, salud y próximos pasos de políticas; fondo con billetes y logotipo “20 TCI & Beyond”.

#VaBudget proposals drop February 22.

We’ll spend the following days digging in. On Feb. 25, we'll explain major investments in each proposal, key differences, and where to focus advocacy.

Join us: bit.ly/va-budget-webinar26b

Statement: General Assembly Moves to Finish Path to $15 Minimum Wage, Boosting Pay for 421,000 Workers in Virginia - The Commonwealth Institute Today, Ashley Kenneth, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis released the following statement after the Senate joined the House to pass legislation to reach a $15 minimum...

Higher pay = fewer impossible choices.

#VaLeg passed legislation to reach a $15 #MinimumWage in Virginia. 🎉

Our full statement ⤵️
#RaiseTheWageVa

Statement: Both House and Senate Advance Legislation to End Decades-Long Court Debt - The Commonwealth Institute Today, Kami Blatt, Decriminalization of Poverty Policy Analyst at The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (TCI), released the following statement following the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 1...

Court debt shouldn’t follow someone for decades.

#VaLeg advanced a 10-year limit to give more people a real chance to move forward.

Read the statement ⤵️
#FinesAndFees

Budget Matters: A Look at Police Spending In Virginia Localities (Updated Analysis) - The Commonwealth Institute Virginia’s criminal legal system should advance justice and treat people fairly, yet racial injustice and unequal outcomes permeate our system. A long history of discriminatory laws and practices — ra...

As budget proposals take shape, understanding long-term spending trends matters.

We've updated our analysis of state and local police spending across #Virginia, showing changes from 2019.

Read more:

Senate panel advances $48 hike in weekly unemployment benefits

TCI is proud to play a supporting role to improve unemployment benefits alongside advocates and experts from SALT, @vplc.bsky.social, @legalaidjustice.bsky.social, and @nelp.org!

What do tax policies have to do with #affordability? A lot.

Key proposals could lower everyday costs for many Virginia families, and requiring the wealthy to pay their #FairShare could fund critical services that reduce costs elsewhere.

Some examples ⤵️

From History to Harm: Fines and Fees in Virginia — and Who Pays the Price - The Commonwealth Institute Virginia court fines and fees: how it started, who they impact, and why reform matters for fairness and stability.

This session, #VaLeg is shaping the future of court #FinesAndFees.

These policies have a long history — and real consequences.

Our summary explains why that history should guide today’s votes:

Take Action: Invest in Affordability - The Commonwealth Institute To invest in affordability, Virginia must fix its upside-down tax code and fund the basics families need to thrive.

Budget choices decide whether we pay our #FairShare together — or families pay later through fees, debt, and higher bills.

📢 Ask lawmakers to invest in affordability 🔗⤵️
#VaBudget

Bill was a committed supporter of TCI and our work to advance racial and economic justice.

We’re grateful for the many ways he invested in people and for the example he set of showing up rather than sitting on the sidelines.

A printed item is held up. Text says "You can't do history and sit on the sidelines. - Bill Martin"

A banner says Tap into the power of untold stories. It is surrounded by several pieces of paper that include stories and other acknowledgments of Bill Martin's life and contributions to the community

Today, TCI staff joined community members at The Valentine to celebrate the life of Bill Martin.

The space was filled with stories, laughter, and reflection — a fitting tribute for someone whose work helped to preserve and amplify community stories.

A graphic features a quote: "When the tax code asks less of those at the top, communities have fewer resources, and families end up paying more in other ways." Below, in bold letters, it reads: "A Fair Share Tax is an affordability policy." The TCI 20th anniversary logo appears in the lower right corner.

When schools and health care are underfunded, Virginia families pay one bill at a time — medical debt, tutoring, late fees...

A Virginia #FairShare tax would help lower those costs. A #VaLeg committee will hear the bills Monday.

Details 🔗 bit.ly/fair-share-affordability

Sure, we get a bit wordy sometimes, but we'll always prioritize understanding over word count.

Graphic titled “The Real Story on Virginia Tax Proposals.” It lists five proposed tax changes: 1. Cut middle-class income taxes by increasing the standard deduction (HB979 & HB1074). 2. Make taxes fairer by creating a new top bracket for income over $1 million so teachers and firefighters don’t pay the same top rate as millionaires (HB188, HB979 & HB1074). 3. End the grocery tax (HB978 & HB979). 4. Reform the sales tax so digital goods and services are treated the same as physical purchases (HB900 & HB978). 5. Limit a special tax break currently going to data centers (HB961).  TCI logo at bottom.

There’s a lot of noise about taxes right now.

The truth 👉Many proposals would lower costs for most #Virginia families and help make our tax code more fair by getting millionaires to pay their #FairShare

#VaLeg

Choosing Care Over Corporate Tax Cuts: A Better Path for Virginia’s Budget - The Commonwealth Institute What’s at stake in the Virginia health care budget discussion: prenatal care, provider access, dental benefits, SNAP, and ACA coverage.

Virginia’s budget should choose care over corporate tax cuts.

Our latest analysis shows where Youngkin's #VaBudget proposal puts #HealthCare and #SNAP food assistance at risk — and the opportunities #VaLeg has to choose a better path.

White and gray text on blue background says Nearly 421,000 people in Virginia and their families would benefit from raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2028. Source: Economic Policy Institute modeling. A 20th anniversary logo for The Commonwealth Institute is in the upper right corner

Yesterday PM, a #VaLeg House committee advanced a bill to #RaiseTheWageVa to $15 by 2028.

Next step: The House floor. 🎉

"Boosting the minimum wage is good affordability policy," says @epi.org. More details here: bit.ly/epi-min-wage

A diverse group of people stand at the fron of the room smiling. A screen behind them displays the Courts of Justice - Criminal subcommittee name

Vote board for House Bill 127 (Callsen); Person not free on bail; court appearance. Yes votes 9. 0 no votes

That feeling when your bill to ensure people have quality representation during their first court appearance (HB127) advances through a committee unanimously!! 🎉🎉

#PreTrialJustice

No tax on tips or overtime does little to actually help workers.

From Progress to Permanence and Beyond: Strengthening Virginia’s EITC - The Commonwealth Institute Strengthening Virginia’s EITC helps working families manage rising costs. Making the refundable credit permanent and more robust is critical.

Virginia made real progress by making the #EarnedIncomeTaxCredit refundable — but that progress is temporary.

Without #VaLeg action, families could see a tax increase after 2026.

It’s time to strengthen Virginia’s #EITC and make it permanent.
🔗

More guns, less butter: How massive federal funding increases for ICE are costing us all - Minnesota Budget Project In Minnesota, we are seeing firsthand how this redistribution of public dollars to add guns to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) is not working for everyday people.

Expanded ICE funding is bringing harm and instability to communities, paid for by cuts to food assistance and health care.

Dignity and safety must remain central.

Our network partner, @mnbudgetproject.bsky.social, shares more on the impacts

Stronger collective bargaining laws will benefit all Virginians Key takeaways Proposed state legislation to extend full, equal collective bargaining rights to all state and local government workers can help Virginia: reduce the state’s large public-sector pay gap ...

Virginia lawmakers are poised to consider legislation extending full collective bargaining rights to public employees at all levels of state and local government.

👉 Strong unions make stronger communities 👈

EPI's @jensherer.bsky.social and @moniquemorrissey.bsky.social break it down

vote board for HB16 (Price). Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated. Yes votes 10. No 0

House Bill 16 advances with strong bipartisan support 🎉

People who work while incarcerated earn pennies an hour. HB16 recognizes that work by crediting it at a meaningful rate toward court debt — reducing barriers before release and improving reentry.
#VaLeg #FinesAndFees