Schuyler VanValkenburg
@scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social
Senator representing Virginia's 16th District. Parent of three pretty cool kids, teacher of the Constitution, Democrat, and #Henrico homer.
Pinned
Abraham Lincoln’s political ethos feels more important than ever: “I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.”
What he said.
What he said.
With all respect to VACO, we are short hundreds of thousands of housing units.
And their response is to highlight our localities’ best projects … which (in their own op-ed) add up to about 125 houses actually built.
That is not adequate to help people.
And their response is to highlight our localities’ best projects … which (in their own op-ed) add up to about 125 houses actually built.
That is not adequate to help people.
Supporting local decisions in addressing housing needs | Guest column
Solutions to housing challenges are not always found in legislative mandates or uniform statutes. More often, they are built through trust, flexibility and partnership — by local leaders using state s...
richmond.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:51 PM
With all respect to VACO, we are short hundreds of thousands of housing units.
And their response is to highlight our localities’ best projects … which (in their own op-ed) add up to about 125 houses actually built.
That is not adequate to help people.
And their response is to highlight our localities’ best projects … which (in their own op-ed) add up to about 125 houses actually built.
That is not adequate to help people.
🎉Happy New Year!🎉
May 2026 bring you new beginnings and blessings and may it bring Virginia and America peace and prosperity!
May 2026 bring you new beginnings and blessings and may it bring Virginia and America peace and prosperity!
January 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM
🎉Happy New Year!🎉
May 2026 bring you new beginnings and blessings and may it bring Virginia and America peace and prosperity!
May 2026 bring you new beginnings and blessings and may it bring Virginia and America peace and prosperity!
On Monday, January 5th at 5:30pm, join me and the rest of the Henrico delegation in the General Assembly for a pre-session virtual townhall.
Register here: bit.ly/Henrico2026
Register here: bit.ly/Henrico2026
December 31, 2025 at 3:14 PM
On Monday, January 5th at 5:30pm, join me and the rest of the Henrico delegation in the General Assembly for a pre-session virtual townhall.
Register here: bit.ly/Henrico2026
Register here: bit.ly/Henrico2026
Love to see all the progress on the Fall Line Trail; a federal, state and local government collaboration!
The Fall Line is a game changer for Northern Henrico (and the metro region) economically and recreationally and creates more transportation options!
The Fall Line is a game changer for Northern Henrico (and the metro region) economically and recreationally and creates more transportation options!
Catching up: The Fall Line Trail is finding its way through Richmond
“People need to understand that it's economic development.”
www.richmonder.org
December 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Love to see all the progress on the Fall Line Trail; a federal, state and local government collaboration!
The Fall Line is a game changer for Northern Henrico (and the metro region) economically and recreationally and creates more transportation options!
The Fall Line is a game changer for Northern Henrico (and the metro region) economically and recreationally and creates more transportation options!
Housing scarcity makes people poorer. Increasing housing supply makes rent cheaper.
Austin saw rents decrease 7% last year. Virginia had 3 of the top 10 metro regions for rent increases.
We should be more like Austin. It puts money in working people’s pockets.
Austin saw rents decrease 7% last year. Virginia had 3 of the top 10 metro regions for rent increases.
We should be more like Austin. It puts money in working people’s pockets.
Part 5 of my posts reviewing my new Mercatus paper.
Rent inflation has reduced real income growth in the lowest income quintile by 15% vs the highest quintile since 2015.
Our extra real estate wealth is the capitalized value of that regressive transfer.
kevinerdmann.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
Rent inflation has reduced real income growth in the lowest income quintile by 15% vs the highest quintile since 2015.
Our extra real estate wealth is the capitalized value of that regressive transfer.
kevinerdmann.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
December 30, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Housing scarcity makes people poorer. Increasing housing supply makes rent cheaper.
Austin saw rents decrease 7% last year. Virginia had 3 of the top 10 metro regions for rent increases.
We should be more like Austin. It puts money in working people’s pockets.
Austin saw rents decrease 7% last year. Virginia had 3 of the top 10 metro regions for rent increases.
We should be more like Austin. It puts money in working people’s pockets.
Can’t emphasize enough that true economic diversity in universities comes through the use of testing.
Study upon study proves it.
The more subjective your acceptance process is, the more the wealthy can game it.
Study upon study proves it.
The more subjective your acceptance process is, the more the wealthy can game it.
December 29, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Can’t emphasize enough that true economic diversity in universities comes through the use of testing.
Study upon study proves it.
The more subjective your acceptance process is, the more the wealthy can game it.
Study upon study proves it.
The more subjective your acceptance process is, the more the wealthy can game it.
People recognize we need to build again so they can afford their mortgage and energy bills, so we can create jobs, and so we can move into an economy that is forward facing and not perpetually looking backwards and reinforcing a broken status quo.
America Wants to Build Again. If You Squint, You’ll See Hopeful Signs.
www.nytimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:41 PM
People recognize we need to build again so they can afford their mortgage and energy bills, so we can create jobs, and so we can move into an economy that is forward facing and not perpetually looking backwards and reinforcing a broken status quo.
Bill made Richmond a better place. He’s rightfully a local icon. And on top of that he was he a kind, funny, thoughtful man. A true wit! I loved running into him at civic events in Richmond.
I’m going to miss Bill. Richmond is going to miss Bill. May his memory be a blessing.
I’m going to miss Bill. Richmond is going to miss Bill. May his memory be a blessing.
December 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Bill made Richmond a better place. He’s rightfully a local icon. And on top of that he was he a kind, funny, thoughtful man. A true wit! I loved running into him at civic events in Richmond.
I’m going to miss Bill. Richmond is going to miss Bill. May his memory be a blessing.
I’m going to miss Bill. Richmond is going to miss Bill. May his memory be a blessing.
I enjoyed talking with ABC 7 News-DC about my bill with @jetforva.bsky.social to put guard rails on social media screen time for minors.
Big tech is trying to keep kids addicted to their phones when they should be with their family and friends, working on school work, etc.
Big tech is trying to keep kids addicted to their phones when they should be with their family and friends, working on school work, etc.
How Virginia's new social media ban could impact families, young content creators
Virginia is preparing to put new limits on how much time kids can spend on social media,part of a growing effort by state leaders to address youth mental healt
wjla.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I enjoyed talking with ABC 7 News-DC about my bill with @jetforva.bsky.social to put guard rails on social media screen time for minors.
Big tech is trying to keep kids addicted to their phones when they should be with their family and friends, working on school work, etc.
Big tech is trying to keep kids addicted to their phones when they should be with their family and friends, working on school work, etc.
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
In less than ONE month, my administration will get to work to enact our Affordable Virginia Agenda.
Working with our General Assembly, we’ll lower healthcare, energy, and housing costs in 2026 — and beyond.
It’s time to put Virginia families first.
Working with our General Assembly, we’ll lower healthcare, energy, and housing costs in 2026 — and beyond.
It’s time to put Virginia families first.
December 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
In less than ONE month, my administration will get to work to enact our Affordable Virginia Agenda.
Working with our General Assembly, we’ll lower healthcare, energy, and housing costs in 2026 — and beyond.
It’s time to put Virginia families first.
Working with our General Assembly, we’ll lower healthcare, energy, and housing costs in 2026 — and beyond.
It’s time to put Virginia families first.
Heri za Kwanzaa!
Happy (first day of) Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!
Happy (first day of) Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!
December 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Heri za Kwanzaa!
Happy (first day of) Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!
Happy (first day of) Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!
If you build it, prices will go down.
If you actually want to make housing more affordable for working people, the evidence is clear.
If you actually want to make housing more affordable for working people, the evidence is clear.
Luxury Apartments Are Bringing Rent Down in Some Big Cities
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
“New building openings are bringing rents down as wealthy tenants trade up, forcing landlords to drop prices for older apartments.” @bloomberg.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
If you build it, prices will go down.
If you actually want to make housing more affordable for working people, the evidence is clear.
If you actually want to make housing more affordable for working people, the evidence is clear.
“Both Virginia and Henrico County are facing a major housing shortage, and increasing the housing supply is the “ultimate answer,” according to Henrico state senator Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16th District).”
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At Henrico town hall, VanValkenburg pushes for a statewide policy that would create more housing
Both Virginia and Henrico County are facing a major housing shortage, and increasing the housing supply is the “ultimate answer,” according to Henrico state senator Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16th Dist...
www.henricocitizen.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
“Both Virginia and Henrico County are facing a major housing shortage, and increasing the housing supply is the “ultimate answer,” according to Henrico state senator Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16th District).”
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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a joyous past two days!
December 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a joyous past two days!
Donald Trump and the Republicans just made Virginians’ electric bills more expensive and their energy grid less reliable.
In a time where we need MORE energy supply and to be thoughtful about people’s bills, this is an outrageous decision.
In a time where we need MORE energy supply and to be thoughtful about people’s bills, this is an outrageous decision.
Dominion wind farm among 5 projects paused by Trump - Virginia Business
Dominion Energy's $10.7 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach is among the five projects.
virginiabusiness.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Donald Trump and the Republicans just made Virginians’ electric bills more expensive and their energy grid less reliable.
In a time where we need MORE energy supply and to be thoughtful about people’s bills, this is an outrageous decision.
In a time where we need MORE energy supply and to be thoughtful about people’s bills, this is an outrageous decision.
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
The Senator from Henrico nails it.
The rule of law is still alive and well in Virginia, and our new Gov will be well within her rights to remove the Board.
The rule of law is still alive and well in Virginia, and our new Gov will be well within her rights to remove the Board.
To my mind, the speed of this search is the definition of *malfeasance.*
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
December 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The Senator from Henrico nails it.
The rule of law is still alive and well in Virginia, and our new Gov will be well within her rights to remove the Board.
The rule of law is still alive and well in Virginia, and our new Gov will be well within her rights to remove the Board.
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
Yep, sure sounds like "the definition of malfeasance" here. The question is, what will the VA State Senate, House of Delegates and Gov.-elect Spanberger do about it? bluevirginia.us/2025/12/uvas... h/t @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Yep, sure sounds like "the definition of malfeasance" here. The question is, what will the VA State Senate, House of Delegates and Gov.-elect Spanberger do about it? bluevirginia.us/2025/12/uvas... h/t @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social
To my mind, the speed of this search is the definition of *malfeasance.*
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
December 19, 2025 at 10:40 PM
To my mind, the speed of this search is the definition of *malfeasance.*
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
It was politics over the health and integrity of the university from beginning to end--from firing President Ryan to now.
The appointees have consistently put the desires of Trump and Youngkin over UVA.
Thanks to the Hamkae Center for having me at their RVA Townhall on Thursday. We talked about how to ease the housing shortage & improve K12 education, and protecting our immigrant community members.
I'm proud of Henrico's diversity and want to make sure Henrico & VA are safe and affordable for ALL!
I'm proud of Henrico's diversity and want to make sure Henrico & VA are safe and affordable for ALL!
December 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Thanks to the Hamkae Center for having me at their RVA Townhall on Thursday. We talked about how to ease the housing shortage & improve K12 education, and protecting our immigrant community members.
I'm proud of Henrico's diversity and want to make sure Henrico & VA are safe and affordable for ALL!
I'm proud of Henrico's diversity and want to make sure Henrico & VA are safe and affordable for ALL!
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
Guess which Republican DIDN'T join the discharge petition
Hint: His first name is Rob and his last name is Wittman
@wittmanwatch.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Hint: His first name is Rob and his last name is Wittman
@wittmanwatch.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Trump Administration Live Updates: 4 Republicans Buck Party to Force House Vote on Obamacare Subsidies
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Guess which Republican DIDN'T join the discharge petition
Hint: His first name is Rob and his last name is Wittman
@wittmanwatch.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Hint: His first name is Rob and his last name is Wittman
@wittmanwatch.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
In 2021, Rob Wittman literally voted AGAINST legislation to outlaw gerrymandering nationally. So definitely do NOT take anything he says on this topic seriously - ever. He's TOTALLY full of crap. bluevirginia.us/2025/12/vide... h/t @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
In 2021, Rob Wittman literally voted AGAINST legislation to outlaw gerrymandering nationally. So definitely do NOT take anything he says on this topic seriously - ever. He's TOTALLY full of crap. bluevirginia.us/2025/12/vide... h/t @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social
We should rejoin ERIC. We were pulled out because the Governor believes in MAGA conspiracy theories.
And, as I note in the article, “Essentially, the Department of Elections is doing more work to get worse results.”
And, as I note in the article, “Essentially, the Department of Elections is doing more work to get worse results.”
Dems aim to re-enter elections data-sharing partnership known as ERIC
Nine Republican-led states, including Virginia, have exited the consortium, which was founded in 2012.
www.wvtf.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
We should rejoin ERIC. We were pulled out because the Governor believes in MAGA conspiracy theories.
And, as I note in the article, “Essentially, the Department of Elections is doing more work to get worse results.”
And, as I note in the article, “Essentially, the Department of Elections is doing more work to get worse results.”
“If it’s a choice between accommodating local elected officials who are unwilling, unable or uninterested in defining a solution, and providing more affordable housing. . . I’ll choose…affordable housing. . . every day of the Session.”
Well said @deldavidreid.bsky.social!
Well said @deldavidreid.bsky.social!
Reid: VACo’s silence on housing leaves the General Assembly no choice but to act
Local governments seem to be more concerned about protecting their local land use and zoning authority than being a cooperative partner in addressing the housing affordability crisis.
cardinalnews.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
“If it’s a choice between accommodating local elected officials who are unwilling, unable or uninterested in defining a solution, and providing more affordable housing. . . I’ll choose…affordable housing. . . every day of the Session.”
Well said @deldavidreid.bsky.social!
Well said @deldavidreid.bsky.social!
Rob Wittman could stop all mid-decade redistricting! Congress can pass a law! That would be a good thing!
But just like on January 6th, he’d rather have MAGA's back than support our constitution.
He’s got no one to blame but himself. Stunts like this will get him nowhere.
But just like on January 6th, he’d rather have MAGA's back than support our constitution.
He’s got no one to blame but himself. Stunts like this will get him nowhere.
Republican congressmen who opposed Democratic bills to ban gerrymandering nationwide keep complaining about it only now that Democrats in their state may target them with new maps in response to Republicans in Texas, etc.
punchbowl.news/article/hous...
punchbowl.news/article/hous...
December 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Rob Wittman could stop all mid-decade redistricting! Congress can pass a law! That would be a good thing!
But just like on January 6th, he’d rather have MAGA's back than support our constitution.
He’s got no one to blame but himself. Stunts like this will get him nowhere.
But just like on January 6th, he’d rather have MAGA's back than support our constitution.
He’s got no one to blame but himself. Stunts like this will get him nowhere.
Reposted by Schuyler VanValkenburg
Here’s the @neighbors4change.bsky.social recap of that event!
VanValkenburg & Nivar Field Questions From Neighbors
neighbors4change.com/vanvalkenbur...
VanValkenburg & Nivar Field Questions From Neighbors
neighbors4change.com/vanvalkenbur...
December 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Here’s the @neighbors4change.bsky.social recap of that event!
VanValkenburg & Nivar Field Questions From Neighbors
neighbors4change.com/vanvalkenbur...
VanValkenburg & Nivar Field Questions From Neighbors
neighbors4change.com/vanvalkenbur...