The Virginia General Assembly adjourned March 14 without finalizing a budget, capping a legislative session marked by debate over affordability, regulation and the state’s economic direction.

Now, attention turns to Governor Abigail Spanberger, who must decide which of the bills that made it to her desk will become law.

Throughout the session, Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent was one who raised concerns about affordability, warning that some proposals could move the state in the wrong direction and would negatively impact Virginia’s position as leading in business.

She warned that a range of proposals — from labor policies to energy regulations — could increase costs and weaken Virginia’s competitive position for business.

On March 2, for example, during a debate over budget amendments, Kent criticized prevailing wage requirements.

“The negative effects of prevailing wage are not new, and they are well known,” she said, arguing the policy would increase project costs, reduce competition and add administrative burdens.

“Shuffling costs will not make life more affordable, and neither will raising costs of public works projects.”

“I would ask that we keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets and not limit competition and opportunity,” she added.

Kent’s concerns extended beyond construction. She pointed to proposals expanding labor and collective bargaining rights as measures that could raise costs for governments, employers and, ultimately, consumers.

Energy policy was another area of concern for the delegate. According to her office, Kent believes carbon-related measures — including those tied to programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) — function as a tax on energy, increasing electricity costs for households and businesses.

When you look at some of the proposals and the impact on small business, it is going to be so detrimental — not only to anyone that is looking to come to Virginia to start up a business — it’s going to be so detrimental to the current business climate that are saying please do not pass these things,” Kent said during a press conference.

She also warned that policy proposals would drive acceleration of automation and reduce hiring.

She said, like everyone else, she is going to checkout counters where she has to check herself out because there’s no employee. If some of the bills that were presented this session are implemented, Kent warned all you’re going to get is more reduction in employees because the legislation isn’t increasing an employer’s ability to hire more people.

“It only increases a robot to take over jobs. That is not what we want to do. That does not help Virginia. That does not help the worker. That does not help families. That does not put more money in your pocket.”

Meanwhile, the General Assembly adjourned without passing a two-year state budget. House and Senate proposals were reportedly roughly still $1 billion apart, leaving lawmakers expecting a special session to reach a budget agreement.