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Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter shares information from the recent meeting of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and the House Finance and House Appropriations Committees, highlights my office’s Shadowing the Senator program, and reflects on select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.
Virginia's Fiscal Outlook
This past Thursday, Virginia’s legislative “Money Committees” (the Senate Finance & Appropriations, House Appropriations, and House Finance Committees) met in Richmond to assess the state’s current economic performance and fiscal forecast. According to the Governor’s administration, the Commonwealth posted a $572 million surplus, positioning Virginia’s rainy-day reserve at $4.7 billion.
From a pure numbers standpoint, it is hard to argue against the headline that Virginia is in sound fiscal health. Finance Secretary Stephen Cummings laid out a vision of a state positioned for long-term growth, underscored by rising revenues, high employment, and a well-cushioned budget stabilization fund.
But deeper questions linger: who exactly is benefiting from this surplus and at what cost?
The Governor’s optimism is undercut by the grim news coming every day from the Congressional Republicans’ childishly-named “Big Beautiful Bill,” as well as by the ongoing and unpredictable threats of federal funds being held hostage for political reasons, tariffs that impact businesses and individual consumers, and the lack of a clear policy agenda from either Youngkin or Trump. While Youngkin argued that Medicaid coverage will remain unaffected, I and others raised concerns about looming federal work requirements attached to the Medicaid program that will likely, according to the Congressional Budget Office, disqualify thousands of low-income Virginians from healthcare access.
So, while a healthy surplus can be seen as a government operating efficiently, it is (for us in Virginia) a symptom of our under -investment in critical services such as health care, education, and key social safety nets.
Additionally, the Governor downplayed the effects of recent federal workforce changes, asserting that job losses had been minimal. As some of my colleagues pointed out, the pending federal buyouts and early retirements are not yet reflected in Virginia’s workforce data. The claim that Virginia is outperforming expectations is premature, especially if key sectors such as defense contracting or federal employment face steep declines.
This joint meeting was not just a budgetary check-in; it was a barometer for Virginia’s legislative agenda as we head into the 2026 General Assembly. The surplus and reserve levels will shape debates over education funding, infrastructure investments, healthcare coverage gaps, housing, and more. We must remind ourselves that one-time surpluses may mask long-term weaknesses, most especially in infrastructure, housing affordability, and health care.
Given the chaos, disruptions, and dysfunctionality of the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration, we will need to craft our next two-year budget with caution and with an eye to addressing the gaps that will likely continue to widen as the “beautiful bill” begins to show its true colors: a coarse and harsh agenda based on the politics of causing harm rather than promoting the public good.
Shadowing the Senator
On Thursday, my office hosted two Shadowing the Senator program participants: Thahia and Leah. Students at George Mason University and Christopher Newport University, respectively, both participants sought out the Shadowing the Senator program to learn more about day-to-day work of a State Senator and career opportunities within the legislative branch. Their shadowing day consisted of attending the Joint Meeting of the Monies Committees; a tour of the State Capitol and the General Assembly Building; one-on-one meetings with me and my staff; and a policy meeting with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Both Thahia and Leah shared these reflections on their experiences with my office:
Thahia: “As someone with limited political background, shadowing Senator Hashmi was both eye opening and inspiring. As a South Asian Muslim college student, it was incredibly meaningful to see someone who shares a similar background to mine in such a strong leadership role. Senator Hashmi’s inclusive approach to public service and her dedication towards health care and education inspired me to look further into my own city’s political state. This experience reminded me that meaningful change often begins with just one person who is willing to acknowledge, listen, and take action.”
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Leah: “My experience with Senator Hashmi’s team was a very rewarding and enlightening experience! As someone interested in pursuing politics, it was very beneficial not only to learn about Senator Hashmi and her goals for Virginia, but also to learn how a portion of our General Assembly functions. Senator Hashmi has been and will continue to be a role model of mine that I look up to, and this experience made me appreciate all the effort and energy she has put into ensuring our Commonwealth can be as great as it possibly can be.”
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Select Community Engagements
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On Saturday morning, I was honored to address Virginia AFL-CIO delegates at the annual convention and receive the AFL-CIO endorsement of my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Virginians are seeking leaders who uplift the lives of all working families and build an economy that works for all, and I look forward to continuing our campaign’s strong partnership with the AFL-CIO.
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Later that afternoon, I joined Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones for a Black leaders brunch at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, one of our country's premier institutions commemorating the rich history and culture of African Americans. Voters are ready for leaders who will stand in defense of truth-telling of history and promote an inclusive Virginia.
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Saturday concluded with the Spanberger-Hashmi-Jones ticket joining NASCAR’s Richmond Cup Series Cook Out 400. It was wonderful to connect with so many voters from across the Commonwealth at this Virginia pastime.
Welcome Back to School
As school systems across the Commonwealth welcome students back to school today, I am wishing all students, teachers, support staff, and families an excellent first day. Here's to a successful year ahead!
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Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: [email protected] [gmail.com]
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here [[link removed]] .
— Ghazala
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