Virginia Action

Category Press Release

Press Release: Calls for Gov. Spanberger to act for VA Affordability, Business, and Freedom

Virginia Coalition Calls on Governor Spanberger to act for Virginia’s Affordability, Business, and Freedom

Lexington, VA—As attention shifts to the Governor’s decisions on key legislation, a coalition representing twelve public policy organizations across Virginia hand-delivered the Power of the Pen 2026 book, published today, to Abigail Spanberger’s office.
From housing to medical deserts, from protecting Virginia’s Constitution to the education provided to Virginia’s children, the book provides recommendations and analysis on over 80 bills considered by the General Assembly in the 2026 Session.
In a spirit of co-operation and bipartisanship, the Virginia Conservative Leaders Network (VCLN) has taken a nuanced, thoughtful approach: recommending signatures, amendments and vetoes as appropriate to actually advance priorities such as Affordability, strengthen Virginia’s public schools, and grow the Commonwealth’s economy.
The VCLN recommended that the Governor sign 20 key bills on her desk, proposed by Democrats and Republicans alike.
However, the VCLN warned of “devastating” economic consequences from other bills. The sum total of the bills on the Governor’s desk would add 22% to the cost of hiring a worker, putting people out of jobs and destroying business in Virginia. The overall cost has been estimated at over $2 billion per year. Householders would face a 20% hike in their energy bills over the next two to three years, health insurance premiums could spike, and healthcare shortages affecting over 1 million mainly rural Virginians in “medical deserts” could worsen.
The coalition also highlighted measures which could severely worsen confidence in Virginia’s free and fair elections, and policies which erode the rights of families.
“If the Governor is truly the moderate she considers herself to be, we stand ready to work with her to find a path forward to ensure genuine affordability, support business and improve every part of Virginia’s education. This is more important than Left or Right, it’s about Virginia’s future”, said Lynn Taylor on behalf of the VCLN.

Notes for Editors:

1 – The VCLN comprises organizations including the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Americans For Prosperity (Virginia), The Family Foundation, Virginia Institute Action, The Yorktown Foundation for Public Policy, the Virginia Tea Party, The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, the Virginia Council, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, the Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, as well as organizations working on single policy issues.
2 – The full Power of the Pen book is available at virginiainstitute.org/power-of-the-pen
3 – In total, the VCLN recommends 20 signatures, 58 vetoes, and 4 amendments.
4 – Each policy area is signed off by certain organizations within the VCLN. As not every organization engages on the full range of policy areas, nothing in Power of the Pen should be taken to assume a position by an organization on a policy area which does not feature their name and logo. For example, Virginia Institute Action does not currently take a position on family/moral issues and for this reason is not a signatory on Family policy.
5 – In 2025, Power of the Pen achieved a remarkable 86.2% success rate
6 – For interviews, please contact Jonathan Haines at jonathan@virginiaaction.org

Press Release POTP2026Download
Press Release: Decisive Leadership for the Commonwealth

Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition Celebrates Governor Youngkin’s Decisive Leadership for the Commonwealth

RICHMOND, VA – Amidst a challenging budgetary landscape, the Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition commends Governor Glenn Youngkin for his thoughtful navigation of Virginia’s fiscal priorities during the 2024 session of Virginia’s General Assembly. Governor Youngkin’s “Common Ground Budget” exemplifies his leadership in bridging divides. This budget offers significant concessions to avoid drastic tax increases while incorporating spending priorities important to both parties. These include increased state aid for schools and raises for Virginia’s public school teachers and state employees.

While the new spending exceeds what many conservatives would prefer, Governor Youngkin’s efforts reflect a commitment to pragmatic governance in a divided political environment. His approach has ensured that while taxes will not decrease, they will also not increase, effectively stalling the proposed digital sales tax, the B2B tax, and a return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s carbon tax.

In addition to fiscal management, Governor Youngkin demonstrated resolute leadership by vetoing a record number of 153 bills this session, underscoring his dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the Commonwealth. These vetoes addressed a wide range of issues, such as a new unconstitutional ban on assault rifles and legal restrictions on gun storage, the poorly conceived Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would have been anything but affordable, increases to the minimum wage and employer/employee-subsidized benefit mandates, ranked-choice voting, and much more. 

“Governor Youngkin’s careful consideration and action on key legislation conveys his dedication to safeguarding Virginia’s future and preserving our shared values,” remarked Lynn Taylor of Virginia Institute Action. “His veto decisions send a clear message: he understands the intricacies of the Commonwealth’s challenges and is committed to finding solutions that prioritize economic prosperity and individual liberties for all Virginians.”

This success is a shared triumph, bolstered by the efforts of coalition partners, including The Family Foundation, Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Middle Resolution, Virginia Fair Elections, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, and the Virginia Tea Party. Together, we have demonstrated the power of unity and the impact of strategic collaboration.

“As we celebrate this victory, we are reminded of the continuous need for vigilance and proactive engagement in the legislative process,” said Taylor. “We remain committed to leading the way in strategic policy advocacy, ensuring that our collective voices are heard and our policy goals are achieved.”

Governor Youngkin’s dedication to serving the people of Virginia is commendable, and the Virginia Institute looks forward to continued collaboration with him and our coalition partners in advancing the enduring values that define our beloved Commonwealth.

The Virginia Conservative Leadership Coalition is made up of Virginia-based organizations dedicated to public policy that support and advocate for the fundamental precepts of a free, civil society: individual freedom, economic opportunity, traditional family values and strong stances on the inherent safeguards needed for a constitutional democracy. The coalition is composed of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, The Family Foundation, Virginia Institute Action, Middle Resolution, Virginia Fair Elections, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, and Virginia Tea Party Patriots.

Media inquiries may be sent to: info@virginiaaction.org.

Click here to download the .pdf
Press Release: Safeguarding Virginia’s Future

Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition Announces Its Veto Recommendations

A package of veto recommendations to safeguard Virginia’s future was delivered to Governor Glenn Youngkin from the Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The package of bills, passed by the Democrat controlled House and Senate, is made up of legislation that is detrimental to election integrity, the education of our children, traditional family values and the economic freedom of Virginians.

In an effort to rush some bills to the Governor’s desk ahead of the 30 day veto period, thereby providing only a 7 window for the Governor to take action, Democrats appeared to make a pronouncement about the importance of those bills in their press conference on Monday. Regardless of the tactics and efforts at political gamesmanship, there are numerous bills that are bad for Virginians and are worthy of a strong veto by the Governor.

“Collaboration with our partner organizations provides supporters across Virginia with the information they need to understand what the General Assembly is doing that will impact their lives,” said Lynn Taylor, President of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Middle Resolution President Craig DiSesa and Derrick Max, President of the Thomas Jefferson Institute agreed. “It is important that the citizens of our Commonwealth are able to form opinions on a myriad of important issues and support our joint efforts to impact legislation that is headed to the Governor.”

Deb Giffin, speaking on behalf of the Virginia Tea Party Federation, added “it is vital that the Governor  hear our collective voices on the core issues that matter most to Virginians and affect our daily lives.” Finally, Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation, stated “We are stronger when we work together on behalf of the tens of thousands of Virginians who understand the power of the pen during this critical veto period. We believe that Governor Youngkin will demonstrate strong leadership in this important moment.”

The Virginia Conservative Leadership Coalition is made up of Virginia-based organizations dedicated to public policy that support and advocate for the fundamental precepts of a free, civil society: individual freedom, economic opportunity, traditional family values and strong stances on the inherent safeguards needed for a constitutional democracy. The coalition is composed of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, the Thomas Jefferson Institute, Middle Resolution PAC, Virginia Tea Party Federation, and The Family Foundation.

Media inquiries may be sent to: info@virginiaaction.org.

Click here to download the .pdf