NEW: In Richmond Times-Dispatch Op-Ed, Governor Spanberger Focuses on Bipartisan Solutions to Address High Costs, Grow Virginia’s Economy

RICHMOND, VA - In a new op-ed for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Governor Abigail Spanberger today outlined the bipartisan legislation she has signed to address high costs for families, expand economic opportunity for Virginians, and create a steady business climate for companies of all sizes.

The Governor highlighted dozens of bipartisan bills she has signed into law to make healthcare, housing, and energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Virginians - including steps to crack down on rising prescription drug prices and protect families from increased energy costs.

Click here to read Governor Spanberger's full op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the full text is below.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch: Here's How I'm Working to Provide Practical Solutions Over Partisanship

Sunday, April 12, 2026

When I ran for governor last year, I made a straightforward promise to all Virginians: to show up, do the work and deliver results for this commonwealth.

I have spent my career in public service and ultimately ran for elected office to work with anyone and everyone to find practical solutions to problems facing families and businesses - because no person or political party has a monopoly on good ideas.

This is the philosophy I brought to Richmond.

Over the past several weeks, my team and I have been going through more than 1,000 pieces of legislation the General Assembly passed this session - bill by bill, line by line.

As I approach Monday's 11:59 p.m. deadline to act on them, I am taking this responsibility seriously. Because the details matter and the stakes are high. The decisions we make will determine our pathway to a stronger, safer, and more affordable commonwealth.

We are living through a real moment of chaos and excessive partisanship in our country right now. We all have been anxious for too long - about our jobs, our savings, our future. We all want and deserve a state government that is a source of stability. That is exactly what I have been working to provide. So let me tell you what we've been doing.

Our Affordable Virginia Agenda is a first step toward lowering costs where many Virginians feel them most: health care, energy and housing.

And while prices have been rising for years, the economic uncertainty and instability coming out of Washington have made things undeniably worse. Virginians are paying the price - and with impending cuts to health care and social services coupled with another reckless war in the Middle East, there is no relief from the federal government in sight.

As governor, I know I cannot control global energy markets, or the price of eggs, or whatever the president decides to post on social media.

But there are tangible steps we can take right here in Richmond to tackle the high cost of living.

On health care, I signed bipartisan bills to prevent insurance companies from overruling doctors, to invest in our health care workforce, and to stop middlemen from driving up the cost of prescription drugs.

On housing, I signed bipartisan bills to let localities adopt affordable housing programs, cut red tape, and incentivize construction.

On energy, I signed bipartisan bills to protect ratepayers from covering the cost of infrastructure improvements, incentivize energy independence, and help localities invest in new energy technologies.

I've also signed legislation to help keep students safe at school, support Virginia's first responders, and accelerate $7.1 billion in new investment across Virginia, creating more than 3,250 new jobs. This includes the final step of a multi-year process to bring the second-largest economic development project ever to Southern Virginia.

These bills - like so many of the others I have signed - were passed with support from Democrats and Republicans alike. Because that is precisely how I said I would govern, and that is what I've been working to do every day since I was inaugurated.

Nobody asks for your political party affiliation when you're filling a prescription, signing a lease, or paying a monthly utility bill. Finding a good job, making sure your child gets a good education and is set up for success - these are priorities for Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and everyone in-between.

At a moment when clickbait headlines and partisan outrage dominate our politics, this is exactly the kind of unglamorous, practical work that matters most to me. It doesn't always get fanfare, but it gets done.

You will see more action before Monday night's deadline. We have significant announcements ahead, and many of the issues before my administration remain complicated and require a fine-tooth comb. I want to make sure I get each decision right. The details matter too much, and it is my administration's job to implement every new initiative we approve.

But I am not the only one on Capitol Square with unfinished business. The General Assembly still has work to do as well, and I expect them to move quickly to send me a budget when they return for a special session on April 23.

All 8.8 million Virginians are counting on this. Localities need it to plan for the next school year, maintain their roadways, and fund their local law enforcement. Passing a budget is the most fundamental obligation the legislature has to the people who sent them to serve.

That is what steady governing looks like. Not chaos - results. Not ideological fights - pragmatic solutions. Not grandstanding - showing up and doing the work, every single day, for every Virginian.

The work continues, and I'm honored to serve.

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BACKGROUND

In the opening months of her administration, Governor Spanberger has remained laser-focused on making life less expensive for Virginians. Governor Spanberger has already signed dozens of bipartisan bills to make healthcare, housing, and energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Virginians. Last week, the Governor signed legislation into law to increase the supply of housing that Virginians can afford, cut red tape for patients, and set stricter emission standards for data centers.

Governor Spanberger is also working alongside legislators and local communities to attract new investment in the Commonwealth. Since taking office, the Governor has announced more than $580 million in new business investment in communities across the Commonwealth - including the second-largest economic development deal in Southern Virginia history. In total, these investments will create more than 2,000 new jobs for Virginians.

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