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Finance

Monday, January 19, 2026·1h 9m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Finance Committee held its organizational meeting, featuring introductions of members and presentations by the Secretary of Finance and agency heads from the Department of Accounts, Treasury, Department of Planning and Budget, and Department of Taxation. No bills were debated; subcommittee assignments were announced and two unidentified bills were flagged for full committee consideration on Wednesday.

Key Actions

·Organizational Meeting – House Finance Committee Introductions and Agency PresentationsNo Vote

Controversies

Accuracy and transparency of fiscal impact statements

Delegate Nicole Cole stated she had a bill the prior year that she believed would save DMAS money, while DMAS believed it would cost them money, describing the disconnect as 'totally different planets.' Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra separately asked whether delegates can have an opportunity to understand what agency input is, check it with other information received, or discuss the root of those particular decisions. No named DMAS representative was present to respond.

Notable Quotes

“If you propose a tax credit, you're taking it from the children.”

Secretary Sickles — Secretary of Finance — Secretary Sickles issued this warning to committee members about the fiscal consequences of enacting tax credits, framing the tradeoff in terms of competing budget priorities.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to adjourn (exact wording: 'So moved')No Vote
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TranscriptPreview
I have state and local experience in finance and government. Thank you. Good afternoon. I'm Delegate Karen Keys Gamarra. I'm from House District 7, which is Reston part most of rest in parts of Oakton and Herndon in Fairfax County. Formerly I served on the school board in Fairfax county, served on the budget committee, had to approve a lot of budget and this is my third year on the finance committee. Hi, good afternoon. I'm Delegate Michelle Lopez Maldonado representing District 20 which includes the cities of Manassas, Manassas park and parts of the western end of Prince William County. In my non political world, did lots of revenue modeling, responsible for multimillion dollar budgets and execution and management. And here on the political side also subcommittee chair of our committee on insurance and financial institutions. Glad to be here. This is my first session in year on the committee. Good afternoon. Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams representing the 82nd district, parts of Dinwiddie County, Prince George county, all of Surry county and all of the city of Petersburg. I have been a state employee for the past 20 years with experience in both accounting and auditing in both the…
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