Julia Eisen – WMAL News | September 14, 2023
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a revised budget this morning that will provide $1 billion in tax cuts to residents, expanded mental health services and teacher salary raises.
The budget took the politically divided Virginia General Assembly more than six months to negotiate.
“Listen, you waited a long time for this day. Too long, candidly,” Youngkin said on the capitol steps with dozens of staffers and legislators behind him. “But we came together, we got it done, and we know we work for you.”
The deal included rebate checks for taxpayers. Singles will receive $200 and couples will receive $400 checks around Christmas time.
Public education will also see an additional $645 million in state funding. The funding will go towards increasing teacher salaries and investments in tutoring.
Virginia will also see the back to school no sales tax week come back to retail stores ahead of the 2024-2025 school year.
Youngkin urged the divided general assembly to continue to work together.
“Members of our house and senate, Republicans and Democrats, let’s keep going and let’s do it faster,” Youngkin chanted.
That work will come sooner than later as the next budget is already underway.
WMAL News Correspondent John Matthews contributed to this report.
Tune in live for more on the stories that matter to you: WMAL.com | WMAL app | “Alexa, play W-M-A-L”
Copyright 2023 by WMAL.com. All rights reserved.Follow WMAL on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Rumble, Gettr and Parler
