Gov. Youngkin summons special session to complete Virginia budget.

The Virginia ‌Governor ⁣Calls for Special Session to Finalize Budget

The Virginia governor has called‍ for a special session ‌to consider the long-awaited budget that was recently negotiated by a small⁤ group of bipartisan lawmakers.

According to a press statement, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called the Legislature⁤ into session ‌on Sept. 6 to finalize the budget amendments.

“To make Virginia more affordable for families and local businesses, we must deliver on our‍ shared ‌goals for more jobs, safer and healthier communities, greater workforce ⁣and educational opportunities, and much-needed tax relief for Virginians. Together, we​ can get the⁣ job done,” Mr. Youngkin said.

The small group of ​Virginia lawmakers who negotiated the state budget deal after months of⁢ delay announced⁤ on Aug. ​25 that they had reached ⁢an agreement on the “major components” of a compromise proposal that would boost education spending and offer tax relief.

The budget deal includes a one-time tax rebate of $200 for individuals and ⁤$400 for joint filers, according to a statement from the negotiators. It also increases the standard deduction, reinstates a popular sales tax holiday, and allocates more revenue to public education and college financial aid.

The complete budget plan was not‍ released.

The state operates on a two-year budget cycle, with the plan initially adopted in even-numbered years and amended in odd-numbered years.

The two sides were not able to come to an agreement when the General Assembly ended its‍ regular‍ session in February because Republicans only hold a slight lead in the House and⁢ Democrats‌ hold⁤ a small majority ‌in the Senate, and each⁢ side has its own priorities.

After compromises were ⁣made,⁣ Democrats ⁤and Republicans came to ‍an agreement that Democrat lawmakers have praised publicly.

“While the major components have been agreed to, our conferees and staff will be‍ completing the final touches​ in the days ⁤to come. The deal is one that provides Virginians with additional tax relief and unprecedented investments ​in ⁢education, natural resources, and behavioral health. It is a win-win​ for the citizens⁤ of Virginia,” the money committee leaders—Democratic Sens. Janet⁢ Howell and George Barker and GOP Del. Barry Knight—said in a joint ‍statement.

Virginia’s Senate Majority Leader Louise Lucas posted a statement on X praising the budget.

“I am thrilled to announce that we have come to a ​deal on the ​budget this year. Our tough​ six months of negotiations ⁣have delivered record ‌investments in our core services in Virginia as well⁢ as tax cuts for ⁢all Virginians,” Ms. Lucas wrote.

Process Too​ Long

The same day lawmakers reached an agreement on ⁤the budget,⁣ Mr. Youngkin ‌showed his frustrations with the process⁣ being so lengthy.

“Here we are in August, we should have ​had this done back in January or February,” Mr. Youngkin said.

Democrats have been pushing for a budget that addresses the needs of​ Virginians, and now with the special session called by ​Gov. Youngkin, there is hope for ⁢progress and positive change.