This Week In The Commonwealth

Governor Glenn Youngkin is committed to getting Virginians struggling with mental health challenges the help they need, when they need it. That’s why Governor Youngkin launched the Right Help, Right Now initiative to transform Virginia’s behavioral health care system.

As the Associated Press reported this week, “Youngkin has since won bipartisan support for his ‘Right Help, Right Now’ initiative and praise from advocates” and “has signed dozens of related bills into law and has secured hundreds of millions in new funding, with more proposed.”

Governor Youngkin will continue to prioritize this transformative initiative to improve mental health care across the Commonwealth.

Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin were so honored to host a Black History Month reception at the Executive Mansion. The Governor and First Lady were joined by the very talented artist Stanley Rayfield, Norfolk State University Concert Choir, and countless others who gathered at the Executive Mansion to celebrate this important month.

This week, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that CoStar Group, a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics for commercial and residential property markets, will invest $20 million to relocate its global headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Arlington County. The move to the new headquarters will include 500 relocated jobs and 150 new jobs to the Commonwealth.

“As states compete for business and jobs, the Commonwealth’s diverse, world-class talent, exceptional quality of life and stable business climate continues to stand out. We are proud that CoStar has chosen Virginia as its home,” Governor Youngkin said.

In her commitment to empowering Women+girls, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin visited Blandford Academy in Petersburg, VA, for a Valentine’s Day ‘Girls with Pearls’ gathering — monthly meetings that bring together mentors and 6th-grade girls at Blandford Academy for an afternoon program to equip girls with important life tools and skills. February’s topic focused on maintaining healthy habits and hygiene, including the importance of journaling, as well as careers in health care.

The First Lady continues to prioritize volunteerism in the community and is so proud of the Petersburg Women’s Group, educators in Petersburg, and other volunteers who regularly serve as positive role models to the next generation.

As WTOP reported, “the Virginia House of Delegates voted Tuesday 59-40 to pass legislation that would establish a sports and entertainment authority, laying the groundwork for a new arena to be built in Alexandria for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.”

Governor Glenn Youngkin applauded “the continued bipartisan support for the one-of-a-kind economic development opportunity in Virginia that represents 30,000 jobs and $12 billion in new economic activity for the Commonwealth.”

Governor Youngkin also reaffirmed his commitment to pursue bipartisan objectives that will be supported by this monumental opportunity saying, “from toll relief in Hampton Roads to WMATA investments in Northern Virginia, from education investments in rural and urban school divisions to critical transportation arteries like I-81, Virginians know the revenues from this project will be felt in their communities.”

ICYMI: Former Democrat Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne recently penned an op-ed for the Richmond Times-Dispatch backing the plan to bring tens of thousands of jobs, billions in economic impact, and two professional sports teams to Virginia.

On Valentine’s Day, Governor Youngkin celebrated the hardworking Virginians who work in the General Assembly Building and Patrick Henry Building, thanking them for loving and caring for our great Commonwealth!

Photographer Robert H. McNeill traveled throughout Virginia, capturing #homehistory for books on our Commonwealth’s story published in 1940. Four of McNeill’s photographs, taken in Richmond, are available to view at the Executive Mansion in partnership with The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as part of the Art Experience. Recognize any of these places or faces? Email executivemansion@governor.virginia.gov to share your story!