This Week In The Commonwealth

Governor Glenn Youngkin worked in a bipartisan manner over the last two years to move Virginia forward – $5 billion in tax relief, historic job growth and economic investment, record funding for students and teachers, prioritizing and transforming behavioral health, and investing in law enforcement.

Unfortunately, Virginia Democrats who barely control the General Assembly are trying to undo that progress – passing a Backward Budget that will raise the cost of living for Virginia families with $2.6 billion in tax hikes.

This week, Governor Youngkin reaffirmed his commitment to protect Virginians from these harmful tax increases and urged General Assembly leaders to come back to the table around commonsense solutions that continue the progress made over the last two years.

This week, Governor Glenn Youngkin continued to take action on legislation passed by the General Assembly, signing 30 bipartisan bills into law and vetoing 20.

“I’m pleased to sign 30 bipartisan bills into law and veto 20 bills which would undermine the progress we have made over the past two years to make Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Governor Youngkin said.

This week, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin visited the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) for a sneak peek at its upcoming exhibit, ‘Julia Child: A Recipe for Life’. VMHC’s President and CEO Jamie Bosket and curator Paige Newman explained the exhibition’s journey through the culinary icon’s life, including her time overseas and love for French cuisine.

VMHC is the first East Coast venue to host the exhibit and elements of the Commonwealth’s distinctive culinary history are found throughout the exhibit – including Virginia Chefs.  World-renowned chef and Inn at Little Washington founder Patrick O’Connell attended the event and spoke about his friendship with Julia Child, included an initial conversation at a book signing at Virginia’s Mount Vernon and peaked with the meal he prepared for 200 guests to celebrate Child’s 90th birthday.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin this week presented a Spirit of Virginia Award to The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the first national historic preservation organization and oldest women’s patriotic society in the United States. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association works to preserve, restore, and manage the estate of America’s first president, George Washington.

“It is fitting that during Women’s History Month we celebrate The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association’s centuries-old commitment to preserving one of our Commonwealth’s most historic homes,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.

“The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association commitment to preservation has provided an unmatched opportunity for Virginians to learn about George Washington’s legacy and the Commonwealth’s history,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

This award is the first of six Spirit of Virginia Awards for 2024.

Governor Glenn Youngkin this week made important jobs announcements across the Commonwealth.

Youngkin announced that Atlantic Strategic Minerals (ASM), an emerging critical minerals producer headquartered in Petersburg, Va., will invest over $50 million to restore and reopen its existing Virginia-based mining and mineral processing operations, creating 71 new jobs.

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Youngkin also announced that FreezPak Logistics, LLC, a leading provider of full-service cold and dry storage services, is investing $77.5 million to construct a 245,000-square-foot cold storage facility in the City of Suffolk to serve the Mid-Atlantic region via The Port of Virginia. Virginia competed with Georgia and North Carolina for this project, which will create 80 new jobs.

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Referred to as “the Pope of American cuisine,” award-winning Chef Patrick O’Connell has been the heart and soul of The Inn at Little Washington since its 1978 inception. A self-taught sole proprietor, Chef O’Connell established roots in Little Washington, Virginia, through resourceful partnerships with local farmers and artisans, making #homehistory as the Inn evolved into Virginia’s first and only restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.

Following an exclusive look at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s limited-time exhibition, ‘Julia Child: A Recipe for Life,’ The Governor and First Lady were honored to welcome Chef O’Connell, also featured in the exhibit and a dear friend to Child, back to the Executive Mansion for lunch. Opening March 16th, the exhibition explores Child’s culinary and personal journeys, emphasizing her undeniable authenticity, curiosity, and zest for life.