Virginia saw significant developments across various sectors this week. In politics, the 2025 General Assembly session concluded, with lawmakers passing a compromise budget proposal that rejected several of Governor Youngkin's initiatives, including car tax relief and elimination of taxes on tips. The budget did include additional funding for education and economic development programs (Source: Williams Mullen).

On the economic front, the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center forecasts the state's GDP to grow by 2.4% in 2025, outpacing national growth. Employment is expected to increase by 0.71%, adding over 30,000 jobs, with healthcare, retail, and professional services leading the growth (Source: Virginia Business).

In political news, a recent Commonwealth Poll showed Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 44% to 34% in the 2025 governor's race. The poll also revealed that 59% of Virginians consider the economy and cost of living as the top issue facing the state (Source: VCU Wilder School).

Environmental initiatives made progress during the General Assembly session, with several bills aimed at flood resilience and wetland protection passing. These include measures to expand local authority for tree preservation and allow tribal governments access to flood preparedness funding (Source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation).

In weather news, Virginia experienced a significant winter storm in early January, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches of snow. The storm caused widespread disruptions and power outages (Source: National Weather Service).

Looking ahead, attention will turn to Governor Youngkin's actions on the bills passed during the legislative session, with a deadline of March 24 to sign, amend, or veto. The state will also be closely monitoring the impact of federal workforce cuts, which have already led to about 1,000 new unemployment claims. Additionally, preparations are underway for the upcoming 2025 gubernatorial election, which promises to be a closely watched race with potential historic implications.