Virginia Budget Compromise Gives Gov. Glenn Youngkin Partial Win

Source: Washington Post (Subscription may be required)

House and Senate negotiators working overtime on the state budget announced a deal Thursday that would provide $4 billion in tax cuts, boost salaries for teachers and state workers, and plow hefty sums into affordable housing, school construction, health and water quality.

Their proposed budget bill, which still needs approval from the full House and Senate and ultimately Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), would give the governor a partial victory on the tax cuts he vowed to deliver on the campaign trail last year. It calls for eliminating the 1.5 percent state grocery tax, for instance, but leaves in place the 1 percent levy imposed by localities.

“The governor was briefed and looks forward to seeing the final language,” Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said.

House Appropriations Chairman Barry D. Knight (R-Virginia Beach) and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax) portrayed the deal as a true compromise — and hinted that they hoped Youngkin would not try to tinker with it too much when it gets to his desk.