State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, seen here during a session in the Senate Chambers at the Virginia State Capitol on Feb. 18, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia, praised a budget deal reached by House and Senate negotiators Friday evening. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS) Kendall Warner TNS RICHMOND, Va. - With just days to go before the commonwealth's current budget expires, the Virginia House and Senate reached a $185 billion budget deal that would take effect July 1.