This Week In The Commonwealth

This week,  Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled his proposed “Unleashing Opportunity” budget during a presentation to the General Assembly’s Joint Money Committee. The budget proposal modernizes Virginia’s tax code and bolsters investments in job growth, workforce development, needed behavioral and mental health support for Virginians, safe communities, good governance measures, and ushers in the largest education budget in Virginia’s history. Governor Youngkin also invited and challenged the General Assembly to pass legislation eliminating the car tax once and for all in Virginia.

Americans for Tax Reform praised Governor Youngkin’s Unleashing Opportunity Budget, writing that “the governor’s admirable budget proposal would allow [Virginians] to keep much more of their hard-earned money on a permanent basis, providing sustained relief for many years to come.”

Last weekend, Governor Youngkin joined hundreds of Virginians in honor of Wreaths Across America at Richmond National Cemetery. Seeing the countless volunteers lay wreaths at the graves of the brave Americans who have served our country filled him with hope, knowing that the torch of freedom was being carried forward.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin emphasized the importance of finding homes for our four-legged friends this holiday season. During her visit to the Richmond Animal League (RAL), the First Lady spent time with their cats and dogs and learned more about RAL’s annual Silent Night Operation, which is dedicated to clearing the shelter and finding every pet a loving home for the holidays.

The First Lady also held a coffee meeting with staff from the Daily Planet Health Services (DPHS) and Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel, to talk about the DPHS’ work and recognize December 21st as Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day; a day to remember the people who lost their lives while experiencing homelessness.  The day is recognized on the winter solstice, the calendar’s longest day of the year, to highlight the rough winter conditions vulnerable residents experience.

Virginia is ALL IN on returning excellence to education. Our school divisions have heeded Governor Youngkin’s call to urgently and aggressively take action to help our students recover from pandemic-related learning loss. This week, Governor Youngkin announced that all 131 Virginia school divisions have finalized their ALL in VA plans to address significant learning loss through high-intensity tutoring, literacy education, and measures to promote school attendance.