In recent days, the residents of Virginia have been granted a crash course in the consequences of off-year elections. It appears the state has taken a sharp turn since Abigail Spanberger replaced Glenn Youngkin as governor. With a flurry of executive actions and proposed legislation, Spanberger has made it clear to Virginians what her administration has in store. One of her first moves was to erase an order by Youngkin that required state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal ICE agents. This decision has some people scratching their heads, wondering if governing means ignoring federal laws these days.
The governor also set her sights on environmental concerns by having Virginia rejoin a regional greenhouse gas initiative that critics allege will do nothing more than send utility bills into the stratosphere. One might ask, is Spanberger aiming to win a local popularity contest with the sun and wind? Meanwhile, state Democrats have picked an unlikely new villain: gas leaf blowers. They’ve proposed banning these pesky devices, opting instead for a tax on electric lawn equipment. That’s right — we’re now wagging the legislative finger at landscaping.
The hits keep coming as Democrats in Virginia are attempting to push a wave of what you might call “taxes ‘R’ us” policies. There’s a new tax eyeing Uber Eats and other delivery services — a delightful 4.3% added cost. It’s a move that has many working families thinking twice about splurging on that weekend pizza delivery. Beyond that, Democrats in the state are looking to raise tax brackets, potentially making Thomas Jefferson roll over in his Monticello grave. There’s also talk about turning educational benefits into a service for all, by having taxpayers fund in-state tuition for illegal immigrants — a proposal sure to inflame the average Virginian.
Virginia’s Democratic agenda doesn’t stop there. Election changes loom as well, with a push for ranked-choice voting. It’s like they want to transform ballot decisions into a game of Sudoku. Adding to the agenda is the desire to toss out mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes while simultaneously putting Columbus Day on the chopping block in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This grand vision also includes a hefty 11% sales tax on firearms and ammunition, suggesting a curious strategy for an “affordability agenda.”
The real comedy, if one can call it that, is seeing the proposed changes deviate from the promises made to Virginians about reducing living costs and promoting economic growth. The looming threat of hefty packages of taxes and controversial legislative changes seem more like a satire of governance than actual leadership. As local Republicans brace for midterm elections, they’ll need to navigate this sea of improbable policies. With these sweeping changes, for better or for worse, Virginia is finding itself as a testament to the adage that elections truly do have consequences — and sometimes those consequences are a head-scratcher.
