After the regular session ended with historic investments in early education, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and completely disrupted families’ lives. It also caused Governor Ralph Northam to revisit the budget and put all new spending on pause. At the start of the August Special Session, Governor Northam released his revised budget forecast and updated budget striking much of the new funding that was approved in March.
Despite many across the board cuts, a few initiatives for early education and child care were included in the governor’s protected budget. Also, landmark legislation HB1012 and SB578, transforming and unifying Virginia’s early childhood system, passed both chambers with bipartisan support. This reorganization of early childhood funding and programs promises to increase access and quality for Virginia’s at-risk children and families, as well as bring commonsense efficiencies and accountability to these important resources. VECF’s role in delivering this significant accomplishment was recognized during the bill signing ceremony in July 2020 when Governor Northam presented Kathy Glazer with a pen used to sign the legislation.