Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke at a Friday morning convocation at Liberty University. He told those in attendance that public service is a calling from God, and touched on policy issues including Ukraine, law enforcement, discussions of race in schools, and polarized two-party politics.
“It’s not an ‘or’ moment, it’s an ‘and’ moment. Today in America there are voices on the far left that so want to silence the voice on the right. They want to cancel conservative speakers on campuses. They want to silence voices who disagree with them,” he said.
“The students and graduates of Liberty University are indeed a force for good,” Youngkin said.
“Christians need to serve on the front lines, whether it’s in a remote village on the other side of the globe or in our backyard. And, for certain, in places of power, where policy will determine whether our values are legislated or negated. Let me be clear, someone’s values will be legislated,” he said.
This week, Youngkin recalled legislators for a General Assembly session to pass the budget, beginning in April. Negotiations over the budget and Youngkin’s tax relief are ongoing, and the governor has been pitching his priorities to Virginians. The House budget supports Youngkin’s policies, but the Senate’s budget is focused more on one-time spending with concerns over cutting Virginia’s long-term revenue stream.
In a discussion with Dean Robert Hurt, Youngkin said, “In that special session, the number one objective is to deliver a budget. And in that budget I firmly believe we have a unique opportunity and that is to reduce taxes on Virginians. It’s gotten so expensive here.”
He cited the rising cost of living.
He said, “And yet we have a record surplus in Virginia. A record surplus. In fact, we’re expecting $14 billion more in government receipts than what was expected. $14 billion. So there is a great chance for us to cut taxes and return $9 billion of that to Virginians and invest some in mental health, law enforcement, and behavioral health, we can do both.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
