Virginia just elected a new governor, and while the campaign rhetoric was heavy on moderation and reassurance, the early signals out of Richmond tell a very different story. What we are seeing now should concern every Virginian — Republican, independent, and even Democrats who believed they were voting for balance rather than ideology.

The policy direction already being floated, and in some cases implemented, by Democrats in Richmond looks strikingly familiar to anyone who has watched states including New York (where I was born and raised in upstate), California, or Illinois over the past decade: higher taxes, expanded government, less safety, gross partisanship, and an open hostility to the families and businesses that actually fuel economic growth. The lesson from those states is clear: When taxes go up and regulation tightens, or public safety erodes, people vote with their feet.

Virginia has spent years building a reputation as a business-friendly, opportunity-rich state, especially spearheaded by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. That progress is now at risk. Tax hikes on “the wealthy” won’t stop there — they’ll slam small businesses, middle-class families, and fixed-income retirees. Recent proposals would expand the sales tax to a wide array of everyday services: gym memberships, hair and nail care, pet grooming, dry cleaning, home and vehicle repairs, landscaping, residential cleaning, streaming services, deliveries from Amazon or Uber Eats, and more. As NFIB warns, these would drive up costs for consumers, pile on paperwork and compliance burdens for small businesses........

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