Raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour has been a long-time goal for Democrats, but their efforts were blocked in recent years by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto pen.
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday she’d signed bills aimed at helping Virginia workers, including legislation to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028.
Raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour has been a long-time goal for Democrats, but their efforts were blocked in recent years by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto pen.
After 2028, the state minimum wage—currently $12.77—will continue to rise annually with inflation, as it does now. The minimum wage legislation was carried by state Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton) and Virginia Senate President L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).
Spanberger also signed legislation carried by state Del. Adele McClure (D-Arlington) and state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Woodbridge) to require companies to pay farm workers the minimum wage.
“I am signing legislation to support the men and women who power our economy, including so many of the people who keep our agriculture industry strong,” Spanberger said in a press release.
Spanberger signed other items of legislation related to workforce training and support for federal workers.
The workforce training legislation includes bills to bring workers into Virginia’s offshore wind industry; allow more high school students to start an apprenticeship in the culinary arts or information technology; and create a program to help high school students train and obtain certification as certified nurse aides.
Spanberger also signed legislation to establish a state internship coordinator to promote opportunities for students interested in public service.
The bills aimed at supporting federal workers would let localities give furloughed federal workers going without pay during a government shutdown more time to pay their personal property taxes and connect federal employees who were fired as a result of DOGE cuts with job opportunities in state government.
Thursday’s bill signings come as Spanberger approaches an 11:59 p.m. Monday deadline to act on legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly.
Still outstanding is the public-sector collective bargaining legislation. Spanberger is being lobbied by supporters to make it as robust for workers as possible, while opponents are calling for her to veto it or consider amendments.
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) circulated a petition on Wednesday saying, “any collective bargaining legislation must fully include public sector employees, including school employees. A strong bill that protects these rights without carveouts is essential.”
Other bills and a veto
Earlier this week, Spanberger signed economic development bills along with other bills related to education, energy policy, and health care as part of her affordability agenda.
Spanberger also issued her first veto on Thursday for legislation related to establishing a casino in Fairfax County that had been supported by labor groups and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell.
“Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” Spanberger said in a statement. “But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax voted against it.”
Surovell, who represents part of Fairfax, said in a statement he was “deeply disappointed” by Spanberger’s veto and pledged to continue fighting for the legislation.
“I have worked on this legislation for four years,” Surovell said. “I will not stop.”
