“Power of the Pen” details bills on energy, healthcare, the economy, and more that conservatives can get behind.
by Lynn Taylor
Every April, Virginia observes a particular kind of anniversary — not just of battles, but of decisions. It was in April 1865 that General Lee signed the surrender at Appomattox, bringing the bloodiest chapter in American history to a close. But even in that moment of exhaustion and loss, Virginians understood that the real work of self-governance does not end with the laying down of arms. It begins again.
That spirit of beginning again feels especially appropriate this month. On March 14, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die, closing the books on the 2026 legislative session. More than 3,600 pieces of legislation were introduced — a staggering volume that reflects both the ambition and the appetite of those who believe the government should reach ever further into the lives of Virginia families. Now, roughly 20–22% of those bills sit on the Governor’s desk, awaiting her signature, her amendments, or her veto.
This is the moment the Founders understood well: lawmaking is only one act in the drama of governance. The executive pen is the next. And in a Commonwealth that prizes individual liberty, limited government, and fiscal responsibility, that pen carries enormous weight.
In response, the Virginia Institute for Public Policy and the Virginia Conservative Leaders Network have delivered the third annual Power of the Pen briefing to Governor Abigail Spanberger — an 80-page document reflecting months of collaborative input and careful policy analysis.
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