06/29/26 - State lawmakers back in Richmond to resolve budget amendments

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You're listening to you're listening to. to the VPM Daily Newscast, the recap of today's top stories in central Virginia. From the VPM newsroom in Richmond, I'm Megan Moore. State lawmakers are back in Richmond today. They're considering amendments to the state budget proposed by Governor Abigail Spanberger. The budget process this year was drawn out over taxes for data centers. Elected officials are running up against the clock to finalize the spending bill as funding runs out on Tuesday. Fewer Virginians signed up for health insurance using the state's health exchange this year.

As VPM News as Dean-Mare-Shahi reports, higher premium costs are at fault. Virginia's insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act offers coverage to people who are unemployed or don't have plans through their employer. Because Congress declined to extend cost-saving health insurance tax credits beyond 2025, premium skyrocketed. Eleanor Dan Sullivan is a Medicaid policy analyst for the Virginia Poverty Law Center. A lot of these people were enrolled in the marketplace for several years. They simply just couldn't afford their premium and also paying rent. State data shows about 17,000 fewer people signed up for coverage this year compared to 2025. Since January, enrollment has dropped by nearly 20%.

D. Amir Shahi, VPM News. Hanover supervisors recently directed county staff to draft a policy on data centers as the board considers whether to raise their local tax rate. VPM news reporter Lyndon German has more. Hanover's data center tax rate remains relatively low compared to other localities. County supervisors considered raising it, but South Anna supervisor, Sue Dibble says it would be premature. We probably all agree that we at least need to look at studying this and probably raise the rate a bit. but I think that we should take a good deep dive into this. Although data centers are taxed locally, Virginia's sales tax exemption impacts revenue

across all localities. The Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission reports the state lost nearly $2 billion in potential sales tax revenue in fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers have proposed adding a data center energy fee that will recover some of what is projected to miss out on in sales tax revenue. But the measure still requires final approval by the General Assembly and Government. Governor Abigail Spanberger, Linden German, VPM News. Per new state law, Virginia's unemployment benefits will increase nearly $50.

Maximum weekly unemployment benefits will increase to $478 for new claims filed on or after July 5th. The legislation passed this year will also increase the minimum weekly benefit amount to $160. The Virginia Employment Commission has an online unemployment. insurance benefits estimator that uses an applicant's wages, employment history, and claim start date. You're about to see a lot less expanded polystyrene in Virginia starting July 1st. The state is fully implementing a ban on takeout containers made with the plastic foam commonly known as styrofoam. The ban was passed in 2021. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin delayed its implementation over cost concerns from restaurant owners. Polystyrene.

is one of the most common pollutants found in Virginia waterways. Its crumbly nature makes it especially harmful and difficult to remove from the environment. This is then the VPM Daily Newscast. VPM. Each story you hear on Planet Money starts with a question. What happens if we refund tariffs? Why are groceries so expensive? At NPR, we stand for your right to be curious.

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