What I Would Like to See in the 2025 Virginia Legislative Session

In 2024, Virginia Democrats did an impressive job of advancing liberal causes while navigating a split legislature and a Republican governor. They successfully passed laws ranging from statutory protections for gay marriage, to requiring motor insurance for all drivers, and becoming the only state in the South to ban child marriage. Facing the challenges of a second Trump term, they will need to accomplish even more to improve the economic status and personal freedoms of Virginians.

As the 2025 Virginia Legislative Session approaches, here’s what I’d like to see from the Democrats and my Delegate, Nadarius Clark, even if some of these goals may be unrealistic given the current political makeup of the Virginia General Assembly.

Digital Identification

Last year, Virginia launched a pilot for the Virginia mID program. Digital ID can provide a more secure form of proof of identity, it would not be possible to create a fake digital ID, and digital IDs can reduce costs and time for Virginians needing physical replacements, and it can reduce costs to the Commonwealth, and therefore taxpayers. Digital ID can also be incredibly secure - the “user” can provide a token, somewhat like an multi-factor authentication key that you would get from your bank, to the party that needs to verify the identity. Then, they can check the token against a state verification system, which provides them only with the information that they need to access. For example, a hotel may only need your name and photo, so they would not be able to see your DMV customer number.

This year, the program should be expanded to allow all Virginians to use mID as a companion to their physical licenses, with a long-term plan to eventually allow issuance of digital IDs with no physical copy.

Land Value Tax

In 2023, HB 2112, which would have permitted the implementation of a land value tax in Charlottesville, failed to pass out of committee along party lines. Currently, only the cities of Fairfax, Poquoson, Richmond, and Roanoke are authorized to use a land value tax. This tax would enable taxation of land value without taxing the value of property built on it, shifting the tax burden from small businesses and homeowners to investment companies holding large amounts of undeveloped land. Such a policy would encourage those companies to develop or sell the land to generate income without increasing their own tax burdens. The City of Suffolk could greatly benefit from adopting a land value tax, and it would be prudent to make this option available to any locality in Virginia that chooses to implement it.

Cut Through Local Bureaucracy to Build Housing

In 2024, Los Angeles County in California added fewer than 35,000 new housing units, despite being the most populous county in the U.S., with over 9 million residents. This housing shortage is part of a larger crisis across the country: cities consistently fail to build enough housing to meet demand, causing prices to rise, particularly in Democratic stronghold states like California and New York. After decades of growth without sufficient housing, California’s population has begun to decline as residents are forced to relocate to states with lower housing costs.

These trends have two major implications for elections. First, Democrats are losing electoral votes as people leave large, expensive cities for states like Texas, where housing is more affordable. Second, many Americans view Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles as poorly governed when they see median housing prices approaching $1 million.

Virginia can help address this issue by cutting through red tape and local bureaucracy. By restricting the ability of localities to limit residential zoning or designate zoning exclusively for single-family homes, the state can encourage developers to build more condos, townhouses, and apartments. This approach would lower housing costs in Virginia and attract residents fleeing high-cost states.

Education Funding

Last year, Delegate Nadarius Clark’s bill to require Virginia teachers to be paid at least the national average salary was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin after passing with bipartisan support. Education is one of the most critical factors in a state’s economic success. Educated citizens contribute more economically (and pay higher taxes), commit fewer violent crimes, and enjoy better health and longevity. Virginia must ensure its long-term success by providing fair wages for highly effective educators. Failure to do so risks exacerbating the teacher shortage and its consequences for the Commonwealth.

LGBT Rights

Remove the Gay Marriage Ban from the Virginia Constitution

Last year, the House of Delegates’ Committee on Privileges and Elections continued a bill to amend the Virginia Constitution to repeal the gay marriage ban. In 2025, this bill must pass a full vote in the House of Delegates and again in 2026 before being presented to voters in November 2026. With a conservative Supreme Court likely for the next 30 years, this effort must be a top priority for Virginia Democrats to ensure that conservatives cannot reinstate a ban on gay marriage without legislative approval, even if Obergefell v. Hodges is overturned.

Affirm the Right to Medical Care for Transgender Virginians

Virginia is the only southern state without bans or restrictions on medical care for transgender individuals. Since 2022, 14 states have passed laws explicitly protecting access to such care, and two have issued executive orders to the same effect. Virginia Democrats should take the lead in not only maintaining the state’s lack of restrictions but also enacting a shield law to protect transgender residents’ access to medical care.