YOUNGKIN'S PROPOSED 2024-2026 BUDGETFundamentally unserious. Those two words fairly summarize the proposed state budget from Governor Youngkin. To its core, the Governor’s proposed state budget ignores the warnings of nonpartisan staff, and some of his own economic advisers. Youngkin’s fiscal proposal could result in an out-of-balance state budget. As the nonpartisan staff director of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee told members, including myself, less than two months ago: “Recent increases to the standard deduction have reduced individual income tax revenue, the primary [general fund revenue] source, and staff would caution against further changes without adjusting spending or increasing other revenue sources.” Youngkin is again calling for a permanent tax break to predominantly benefit Virginia’s wealthiest residents. To pay for it, Youngkin wants to increase the regressive state sales tax on all Virginians and reduce spending levels for critical investments, including public education. After unveiling his budget proposal, Governor Youngkin added an even deeper note of unseriousness – a throw-away line in his speech about the Car Tax. Despite having two years to come up with a way to pay for it, Youngkin provided no plan – instead asking the General Assembly to improvise within our upcoming 60-day session. Now is a time for thoughtful leadership – not slogans or shoddy math. The budget of the Commonwealth of Virginia is not a game to be conducted with play money. As a returning member of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, I will scrutinize the budget and do everything I can to protect core investments in public education, Metro, affordable housing, mental health and public safety. LEGISLATIVE AGENDADuring this year’s legislative session, Senators are limited to introducing 21 pieces of legislation. The House of Delegates has not established such a cap. Given the new limitation on the number of bills that I can introduce, I will be advancing progressive priorities through my own legislative portfolio, as well as working closely with colleagues. I look forward to defending and advancing Virginia’s progress on LGBTQ equality and gun violence prevention. I will again introduce my amendment to Virginia’s Constitution to finally remove the discriminatory stain on our governing document that prohibits marriage equality, and instead enshrine an affirmative right to marry for two consenting adults in Virginia. I will also carry legislation to ban the carrying of an assault weapon in public, as well as other gun violence prevention bills. Stay tuned as I finalize the remainder of my legislative portfolio. POTOMAC YARD DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALThe proposal for an arena in Potomac Yard by the Commonwealth, the City of Alexandria, and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, has generated much interest and discussion, both locally and statewide. I was not involved in the development of this proposal. However, I firmly believe it is a non-starter without a fully-functioning Metro system, and I was dismayed that the Governor did not include additional funding for Metro in his proposed budget. The Governor needs to understand that new Metro investment is a requirement for the continued economic vitality of our region. We cannot even begin to consider his proposal for Potomac Yard without assurances that Metro will continue to adequately serve Northern Virginia. To find more information, watch the presentation by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, or sign-up to receive alerts about opportunities to make your views heard on the proposal, click here. The announcement by Governor Youngkin and the City of Alexandria marks the start of a long process that ultimately will require a vote of approval by the Alexandria City Council as well as the Virginia General Assembly. I have not yet seen legislation that would establish the proposed Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority. I look forward to reviewing the economic studies completed and provided to the Commonwealth and the City of Alexandria in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the executive summary of an economic study that was completed for Alexandria can be viewed here. UPCOMING TOWN HALL MEETINGDelegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and I will be participating in a virtual Zoom meeting hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association on Monday, January 8th, at 7:00.
We will be fielding questions regarding the state’s role in the proposed arena project in Potomac Yard. This meeting will occur in advance of any votes pertaining to the proposed arena. Those who wish to attend can sign up to receive the Zoom link here. You can ask a question in advance here. Comments are closed.
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