A coalition of conservative leaders in Virginia praised Governor Glenn Youngkin for his “Common Ground Budget” and record vetoes on Monday.
The Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition celebrated the governor’s “thoughtful navigation of Virginia’s fiscal priorities” in a Tuesday press release by Virginia Institute Action. The group claims the compromise budget proposed by Youngkin “exemplifies his leadership in bridging divides.”
“While the new spending exceeds what many conservatives would prefer,” the group concedes, “Youngkin’s efforts reflect a commitment to pragmatic governance in a divided political environment.”
They especially commend Youngkin for removing tax increases from lawmakers’ proposed budget, which Virginia Institute Action notes will effectively block “the proposed digital sales tax, the B2B tax, and a return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s carbon tax.”
Groups with leaders offering high praise for the governor include The Family Foundation, Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Middle Resolution, Virginia Fair Elections, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, and the Virginia Tea Party, according to the press release.
The conservative leaders also commended Youngkin for vetoing 153 bills that he considered partisan or otherwise inappropriate, noting he is now the record holder for the governor with the most vetoes in modern Virginia history.
Lynn Taylor of Virginia Institute Action explained the conservatives’ view that Youngkin’s “veto decisions send a clear message: he understands the intricacies of the Commonwealth’s challenges and is committed to finding solutions that prioritize economic prosperity and individual liberties for all Virginians.”
Lawmakers will return to Richmond on Wednesday to officially determine whether they will accept Youngkin’s amended budget. They will also reconsider about 100 bills after Youngkin made amendments.
Youngkin recently confirmed he removed his request for tax cuts from his budget proposal as a compromise with Democrats, who sought to enact multiple tax increases in the budget they passed.
He previously explained, “I certainly am hoping that the General Assembly will fully engage with me,” and suggested the compromise budget “is a chance for us to demonstrate that we can work together in a divided government.”
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Glenn Youngkin Signing Bill” by Governor of Virginia.
