RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Governor Glenn Youngkin shared his thoughts about the budget proposals unveiled by the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate and House of Delegates on Sunday.
Both of these budgets differ in several ways from Gov. Youngkin’s proposed budget, which he submitted last December. In an interview Tuesday, Youngkin said he’ll be able to work with the General Assembly to reach a common ground about the budget.
“The budget process is one that goes through many ups and downs, and the House and Senate presented at least summaries of their budget proposals on Sunday,” Youngkin said. “This is just the beginning of what is a normal process of budgeting in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and there are many things that I think we have already established a really common set of principles on and others we have a lot of work to do.”
One notable absence from both the House and Senate budgets is key pieces of Governor Youngkin’s proposed tax plan.
That plan would reduce personal income tax and raise the state sales tax. Youngkin also recommended adding a sales tax on digital goods like streaming services to make up for any shortfalls.
However, most of Youngkin’s tax plan was removed from the House and Senate budgets, except for the proposed sales tax on digital goods.
Despite the initial differences, Youngkin is optimistic they’ll be able to work together on this budget, as they have in the past.
“We’ve been able to come together and deliver for Virginians $5 billion of tax relief, record investments in education, record investments in behavioral health and in law enforcement — and a real commitment and a requirement to do things on a bipartisan basis,” Youngkin said.
The House and Senate are expected to pass their budgets this week. Youngkin said he plans to meet with lawmakers after they pass.
“I will have a chance to meet with them. And I will directly express some things that one, I am very appreciative of where we’re coming together and other areas where I hope we can make more progress together,” Youngkin said.
