For Immediate Release:August 14, 2026Office of the Governor Contact:press@governor.virginia.gov
Governor Spanberger Highlights Historic Investments in Education & Healthcare in Tappahannock
The Governor Visited a Local Intermediate School, Rural Hospital, Small Businesses, & Volunteer Fire Department
RICHMOND, VA— Governor Abigail Spanberger today in Tappahannock highlighted historic new investments Virginia is making in education and healthcare to support students, parents, and families across the Commonwealth
Governor Spanberger visited James H. Cary Intermediate School, where she was joined by Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith to meet with students, teachers, and staff during the first week of school. Governor Spanberger held a roundtable at the school to hear directly from educators and discuss the record $2 billion in new education funding in the Commonwealth’s biennial bipartisan budget — the largest investment in public education in Virginia history
“As a mom of three daughters in Virginia public schools, I know firsthand the excitement that comes with back-to-school season,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “As Governor, I am proud that the Commonwealth has made historic, record-breaking investments in education. Between raises for teachers, new funding for K-12 schools, and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment for higher education, Virginia is proving we are committed to making sure every student receives a high-quality education that sets them up for success.”
Virginia’s two-year budget also includes four percent raises for teachers and school support staff each year. Institutions of higher education will also see $349.7 million in funding — including $82.5 million to bring down tuition costs, $65 million in new financial aid, and $50 million to support HBCUs. The budget also includes $519 million in grants to fund school construction — ensuring Virginia’s children are able to learn in modernized, safe schools
“Today’s visit to James Carey Intermediate School showed us how ready teachers, students, and families are for an exceptional school year,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith. “We could see the preparation, the goal-setting, and the excitement throughout the school. Most importantly, we saw firsthand the hard work students and educators are already putting in, and the incredible support of families and the broader school community. There was real sense of momentum, and we’re excited to build on it throughout the year.”
Governor Abigail Spanberger also visited VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital — which was recently included in the Joint Commission on Healthcare’s report of hospitals most at risk of closure because of President Trump’s healthcare cuts. The Governor highlighted the steps her Administration is taking to contend with devastating cuts to rural healthcare from H.R. 1 — also known as President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“Our rural hospitals are the backbone of healthcare across so much of Virginia,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “While the Trump Administration continues to make deep cuts to healthcare funding, I am proud that my Administration is leading the charge to protect Virginians’ access to affordable, reliable healthcare. Our new state budget includes $1 billion to help shield kids, families, and our most vulnerable neighbors from the worst of these cuts. We will continue to do everything in our power to stand up for Virginia.”
Virginia’s biennial budget includes nearly $1 billion in investments to contend with the worst of the impacts — including $350 million to establish a Medicaid Reserve Fund to help Virginia prepare for potential federal Medicaid cuts and protect access to care for the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who rely on the program. The budget also includes $150 million to create a new premium assistance program to support Virginians losing access to affordable healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.
“Changes at the federal level are creating uncertainty for rural healthcare providers across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Health and Human Reto mitigate these impacts and maintain healthcare access for these communities — and that includes utilizing the money allocated in our budget to protect vulnerable Virginians and keep people safe and healthy.”
“Tappahannock Hospital is successful because of its people. It’s also successful because of investment from VCU Health System, and the support of our partners across the region,” said President of VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital Josh Hammond. “Our headwinds are strong, but our team’s dedication and our health system’s commitment to this community is stronger. We are grateful for the Governor’s visit and will continue to provide high-quality care to the people of our community.”
Governor Spanberger also met Virginians at local businesses and cultural centers in Tappahannock — Java Jacks, the Tappahannock Art Gallery, the DAW Theater, and 1710 Tavern — then later joined WRAR-FM to address Virginians in the area over the air
Governor Spanberger wrapped up her day in Tappahannock by visiting the Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire Department. At the first station, the Governor sat down with firefighters to hear directly about the challenges they face and discuss how the Commonwealth can best support these heroes
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