RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — As the 2025 Virginia General Assembly reconvened on Monday, ABC 13 spoke with Senators Mark Peake and Creigh Deeds about their priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The Senators made it clear that a key focus will be thoroughly reviewing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget amendments to ensure that the changes benefit Virginians.
Both Peake and Deeds expressed their commitment to carefully analyzing the Governor’s budget to determine which parts will best serve the public.
Focus on Tax Relief and the $3.2 Billion Surplus
Peake highlighted that he is optimistic about many aspects of the proposed budget. One of the key areas he supports is returning some of Virginia’s budget surplus back to the people. Peake pointed to the car tax as an important issue that needs attention.
“There are a lot of parts of the budget that I’m happy with, especially when it comes to putting money back in people’s pockets,” Peake said. “The car tax and the no-tax on tips are both proposals I fully support. With the large surplus we have, it’s only fair to return that money to the taxpayers.”
Governor Youngkin has proposed allocating $1.1 billion for the car tax, leaving $2.1 billion for other priorities that lawmakers will decide how to distribute. This surplus, totaling $3.2 billion, is a major point of discussion for lawmakers as they prepare for the 45-day legislative session.
Deeds, on the other hand, took a more cautious approach to the proposed amendments. “Some of these proposals I’ll agree with, and some of them I won’t,” Deeds remarked. “That’s how it always is with a new Governor. Just because they’re elected does not mean they are above scrutiny. We all have a role in shaping the budget.”
Deeds emphasized that, while returning money to taxpayers is crucial, it’s equally important to divide the surplus responsibly. The careful allocation of the $3.2 billion surplus will be a point of contention in the upcoming session, as lawmakers balance competing priorities.
Making Virginia a Great Place to Live and Work
When ABC 13 asked the Senators about the issues they’ve been hearing from Virginians, both Peake and Deeds spoke about the importance of creating a state that offers good jobs and opportunities for families.
Deeds highlighted that many of the concerns brought to his office relate to the workplace and overall quality of life. “People want to keep more money in their pockets, make sure they can find good jobs, and that their children are doing well in school,” Deeds explained. He emphasized that the 2025 General Assembly will focus on making Virginia a top-tier state for workers and families.
Peake also spoke about his focus on reducing the cost of prescription drugs, which remains a major concern for many Virginians. “I’ve introduced a bill aimed at addressing the issue of pharmacy benefit managers,” he said. “This is a critical area where we need to make sure costs don’t continue to rise unfairly for the people of Virginia.”
Working Across Party Lines
Both Senators were asked how they plan to work together across party lines to push important legislation forward. Peake expressed his frustration with partisan politics but stressed the importance of common sense solutions.
“You would think that a lot of these bills would be common sense and that even Democrats would support them,” Peake said. “But some things, like the Green New Deal for Virginia, are unrealistic. The fake deadlines they set for things like this are not achievable.”
Deeds agreed that partisan politics can be a barrier but emphasized the importance of collaboration. “When you come to Richmond, you have to put aside the labels of Democrat or Republican,” Deeds said. “You work together to get things done for the people of Virginia.”
Looking Ahead to the 2025 General Assembly Session
The 2025 General Assembly session is expected to last for 45 days. During this time, Senators Peake and Deeds will be hard at work, focusing on issues such as tax relief, the state budget, lowering prescription drug costs, and making Virginia a better place for families and workers. While they may not agree on every aspect of the Governor’s proposed budget, both Senators are committed to working together to ensure that the best decisions are made for Virginians.
As the session progresses, it will be important to monitor how these key issues unfold, and how both parties collaborate to pass meaningful legislation. Whether it’s returning surplus funds to taxpayers or addressing the state’s most pressing needs, the 2025 General Assembly session promises to be a critical moment in shaping Virginia’s future.
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