RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin touted high state revenues and a strong economy as he updated lawmakers on the state’s finances Wednesday morning.
And he renewed his call for further tax relief.
Youngkin had good news when he arrived to speak to members of the House and Senate Finance Committees.
“Let me summarize where we are,” Youngkin told committee members. “What we are doing is working.”
Youngkin said Virginia has provided billions of dollars in tax relief and record investments in key priorities such as education and mental health. He said the state ended the fiscal year with a $1.2 billion surplus – the latest in a series that underscores the fact that Virginians are overtaxed.
“We need to continue to follow the playbook and not spend all of our revenue,” Youngkin said. “We should give a fair share back to those who have earned it. As I have said many times, it is not the government’s money; it belongs to the people of Virginia.”
Senate Democrats issued a written statement after the meeting joining the governor in praising the strong results, but also arguing that Democratic leaders in the House and Senate were responsible for the financial developments.
They also argued that key services such as education, natural resources and mental health remain underfunded by billions of dollars. They said additional tax relief would have to wait until those problems are resolved.
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