News

Virginia House Democrats pass minimum wage hike and greenhouse gas initiative legislation

WWBT · last updated

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Virginia House Democrats passed legislation Tuesday to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028.

The greenhouse gas initiative, known as RGGI, aims to lower monthly electric bills in the long term through energy-efficiency programs and investments in weatherization, supporters said.

Democrats also advanced the minimum wage increase as part of their commitment to build affordability for Virginia residents.

Both pieces of legislation will head to the Senate, where passage is expected.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger would then need to sign the bills into law.

Copyright 2026 WWBT. All rights reserved.

View full article

here today, more tomorrow

We’ve launched briefing.center with a focus on the press and media.

And we’ve added Citizen Cartwright, a daily quick-read news summary by veteran Washington journalist Linda Cartwright. We’ve also created a new voting rights knowledge center for Citizen Cartwright subscribers. (You can sign up for a dedicated morning email at citizencartwright.com.)

You can sign up here for full access to press and media and Citizen Cartwright on briefing.center.

You can use briefing.center as the center of your information management, or just one of your tools. We’re happy to discuss your information needs.

Sign up