Senator Lashrecse Aird Secures Over $300m in Senate Budget Investments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 27, 2026
Contact: Jameson Babb
Chief of Staff
jbabb@lashrecseaird.com
757-719-0287
Senator Lashrecse Aird Secures Over $300m in Senate Budget Investments
RICHMOND, VA- Yesterday the Virginia Senate passed SB30, their revisions to the Commonwealth’s biennial budget, including more than $300m in total investments secured through legislation and budget amendments advanced by Senator Lashrecse Aird. In addition, public school systems within the 13th Senate District are also set to receive more than $35m in additional state resources under the Senate proposal. All of these new investments are accomplished without any increases in taxes on Virginians.
Among the key investments secured in the Senate budget:
$50 million for the Employee Child Care Assistance Program to help working families afford child care and remain in the workforce.
$193.3 million for an additional 1% teacher raise, on top of the proposed 2%, strengthening recruitment and retention and moving Virginia closer to the national average.
$40.4 million to stand up the retail cannabis market through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, ensuring safe and accountable implementation.
$6.4 million for cannabis oversight and enforcement positions at Virginia ABC, providing staffing enforcement capacity for a retail cannabis marketplace.
$1.7 million for agricultural oversight at VDACS to provide additional staffing for enforcement and compliance for a retail cannabis marketplace.
$410,755 for Virginia State Police background checks for marijuana establishment licensing.
$7.6 million for labor law support and enforcement, including implementation of new heat stress protections for Virginia workers.
$4.77 million increase for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to expand support for children in foster care.
$350,448 to establish a statewide internship coordinator at DHRM, strengthening workforce pipelines into public service.
Funding to support the ongoing work of the Autism Advisory Board, improving coordination of services for autistic Virginians and their families.
Language supporting South Central Wastewater Authority access to WQIF procedures, ensuring regional infrastructure upgrades continue smoothly.
Additionally, key resources were secured for school districts throughout Senate District 13. Details for each locality are included here.
“More than $300 million secured in the Senate budget reflects legislation and priorities focused squarely on Virginia families and workers. The $50 million investment in child care assistance is about workforce participation and economic stability. Parents cannot remain in the workforce if they are stuck on waitlists or forced to scale back hours because care is unaffordable. This funding supports working families and strengthens our economy at the same time,” said Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Henrico).
“Full funding to stand up a safe and responsible retail cannabis market is another major step forward. Virginia has already legalized possession and now the Commonwealth must build a regulated system with clear rules, strong oversight, and real accountability. These resources ensure background checks, enforcement, and regulatory infrastructure are in place so this market operates safely, generates opportunity, and creates pathways for those who have too often borne the brunt of prohibition to participate in a new industry,” Senator Aird continued.
“Additionally, schools in our district are set to receive more than $35 million in additional funding under the Senate proposal, alongside a meaningful statewide teacher pay increase that moves Virginia closer to the national average. Raising teacher salaries and directing more resources into classrooms strengthens recruitment and retention and ensures students have access to the high-quality education they deserve.”
“Taken together, these investments move Virginia toward a more affordable Commonwealth with strong schools, safe communities, and real economic opportunity for working families.”
Senator Lashrecse Aird represents eight diverse localities driving her consistent approach of pragmatic governing – known as a champion on education issues, criminal justice reform, reproductive healthcare access, and economic development. With a willingness to reach across the aisle and work bipartisan to get things done, Senator Aird has a proven track record of legislative successes at the State Capitol.
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