A local Virginia Delegate held her first town hall meeting as a member of the General Assembly over the weekend. More from WFIR’s Conner Arthur:
Southwest Virginia residents now have a direct line to Richmond through Delegate Lily Franklin, who held her first town hall Saturday at the Blacksburg Community Center. Representing the 41st District, Franklin spent the morning detailing how the state’s multi-billion dollar budget will impact local schools, taxes, and public safety.
Franklin, a first-term Democrat, described her first 45 days in the General Assembly as a fast-moving introduction to state governance. She noted that while nearly 4,000 bills were introduced this session, the field has narrowed to fewer than 2,000 as the legislature enters the “crossover” phase. During this period, the House and Senate begin reviewing each other’s passed measures.
Historic Funding for Schools and Families
The proposed 2026 state budget includes $1.7 billion for public education. This allocation provides 2% raises for teachers and staff in each of the next two fiscal years. Franklin also highlighted a $577 million investment in childcare subsidies, calling it the largest in Virginia history [1]. She explained that prior to 2024, state budgets provided almost no direct funding for childcare services.
Tax Reform and Safety Measures
Franklin addressed the potential repeal of the state car tax through House Joint Resolution 34. This resolution authorizes a study to explore ending the tax while protecting local revenue. The tax currently generates $4 billion for local governments to fund police, fire departments, and schools. Franklin emphasized that any change must keep local communities financially whole…