Wilt Legislative Package Includes Efforts to Lower Electric Bills, Improve Childcare Access, and Ensure Proper Use of Taxpayer Dollars

RICHMOND, VA – As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly convenes this week, Delegate Tony Wilt announced a package of legislative priorities focused on affordability, workforce support, and accountability in state government. His proposals include reforms to the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), expansion of an existing employer childcare tax credit, and a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study examining potential vulnerabilities in Virginia’s public benefits programs.

“My focus this session is advancing policies that make life more affordable, support working families and employers, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely,” said Wilt. “That means addressing rising electric bills, improving access to childcare, and taking a serious look at how our public assistance programs are administered.”

One proposal, HB 1031, would pause the VCEA’s stair-stepped renewable energy mandates for 20 years, allowing utilities time to develop generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure while maintaining reliability and controlling costs. Utility-scale generation projects often take a decade or more to move from planning to being placed in service. Recent warnings from regulators and utilities have highlighted growing cost and reliability concerns if current mandates remain unchanged.

Delegate Wilt is also introducing legislation to revive and expand Virginia’s existing Day-Care Facility Investment Tax Credit. The bill would increase the program cap to $5 million and broaden eligibility to allow employers not only to construct childcare facilities, but also to help cover employees’ childcare expenses directly. Combined with existing federal incentives, the proposal aims to make employer-supported childcare more feasible and accessible, addressing a challenge frequently cited as a barrier to workforce participation and economic growth.

In addition, HJ 37 would direct JLARC to study Virginia’s entitlement programs – including Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF – to identify potential vulnerabilities related to waste, fraud, abuse, and deficiencies in eligibility determinations or staff training. Wilt cited credible concerns raised by agency personnel and noted that it has been more than a decade since JLARC last conducted a comprehensive review in this area.

Beyond these initiatives, Delegate Wilt has filed, or will soon file, additional legislation and budget amendments driven by ideas and concerns raised by residents and organizations across the Valley. More information on legislation under consideration during the 2026 session is available at lis.virginia.gov.