NORFOLK, Va. — Despite differences in the proposed state budgets, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Tuesday he is confident he can work with Democrats to find common ground.
The comments from Younkin come just days after Democratic-led chambers of the House and Senate introduced their versions of what the Commonwealth’s budget should be.
Youngkin put out his proposed budget in December, while the House and Senate, both led by Democrats, released theirs Sunday.
While there are some similarities, there are also some glaring differences.
"This is just the beginning of what is a normal process of budgeting in the Commonwealth of Virginia," the governor said.
Youngkin’s proposed budget would reduce personal income tax while raising state sales tax. However, Democrats removed most of his tax plan from their budgets, while leaving the proposed sales tax on digital goods, like Netflix, to make up for any shortfalls.
"In order for us to pay for our priorities, we’ve got to have the money coming from somewhere to pay for them, so this is what is required for us to do what we need to do for the citizens of the Commonwealth," said Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas.
Some of those Democrat priorities include a minimum 3% pay increase for teachers. Youngkin proposed a 1% increase in the first year and a 2% raise in 2026.
Tuesday afternoon, Youngkin said he’s confident he will be able to work with the General Assembly to reach common ground.
"The budget process is one that goes through many ups and downs," he said. "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."
He touted the way leaders in Richmond have been able to come together 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," said Youngkin.
Dr. Leslie Caughell, a political science professor at Virginia Wesleyan University, said next comes the negotiating between both chambers and then the Governor, which will mostly happen behind closed doors.
"They’ll begin the process of kind of negotiating with each other and you’ll also see Democrats, both the Speaker of the House and the Leader in the Senate, begin outreach to negotiate with the Governor, as well," she said.
Dr. Caughell told 13News Now it often takes legislators weeks to finalize the budget, and these negotiations could last until early March.