RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered his State of the Commonwealth speech to the General Assembly on Wednesday, outlining what he hopes to accomplish with lawmakers this year.
The speech came on the first day of the 2024 General Assembly session, which saw Democrats take slim majorities in both chambers of the legislature after two years of split control and political stalemate.
The Republican governor largely focused on kitchen-table issues, such as addressing the cost of living and increasing education funding, and stressed that the parties could come together during the second half of his term. But he also spent some time challenging certain Democratic priorities.
Here are four takeaways from his speech.
Income tax cuts, economic changes to address cost of living are high-priority
Youngkin touched upon his proposed tax reforms to lower the cost of living, which he said would allow Virginia to "keep more of their hard-earned money, have great jobs and stop moving away."
"We can do this by cutting taxes across the board 12% and paying for almost 80% of this by modernizing our tax code, which includes closing the tech tax loophole and increasing the sales and use tax by 0.9%," Youngkin told lawmakers.
Youngkin also called for an expanded earned income tax credit for low-income Virginians and the elimination of the personal property tax, also known as the car tax, which he described as "the single most hated tax in Virginia."
"Our neighbors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida have lower taxes or started their journey to lower taxes, and they're winning the opportunity sweepstakes," Youngkin said, adding, "We're going to compete and win and ensure Virginians keep more of their hard-earned money."
Youngkin drums up support for Wizards, Capitals move to Virginia
Youngkin also used the speech to drum up support for a tentative agreement for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to move to northern Virginia.
The proposal calls for the creation of a $2 billion development in Alexandria, which would need approval from state lawmakers. Youngkin stated it wouldn't require any upfront cash commitment or new taxes.
"Together, we can welcome both a new NBA team and a new NHL team, $12 billion in new economic activity and 30,000 new jobs," Youngkin told lawmakers.
Youngkin calls for strengthening penalties for gun crimes, other law enforcement reforms
Youngkin outlined several changes he wants to see to enhance law enforcement and combat crime in Virginia, including strengthening penalties for gun crimes and manufacturing or distributing illicit drugs or fentanyl when it causes death.
"Virginia’s gun laws are already among the toughest in the nation," Youngkin told lawmakers. "Therefore, I’m asking you: allow us to hold accountable those criminals who commit crimes with guns by making the penalties more severe in order to keep them off the streets."
Youngkin also called on doubling down on Operation Bold Blue Line, a program aimed at reducing homicides, shootings and other violent crimes, as well as increased funding for Operation Ceasefire and the Firearm Violence Prevention Fund.
During the speech, the governor told lawmakers he wants them to pass a hate crime bill that addresses "all forms of antisemitism," a call that comes in the wake of what he previously called a "massive increase" in antisemitic acts in Virginia.
"We must never stand and watch when evil shows itself," Youngkin said. "We must always be called to action."
Democrats, Republicans react to Youngkin's speech
State. Sen. Louise Lucas, the president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, and Del. Betsy Carr shared a rebuttal to Youngkin's speech on Wednesday night.
Lucas focused on what Democrats want to put forth during this legislative session, saying the party's new majority was a result of a vision for "a better, brighter and more inclusive future for all Virginians."
"This past November, voters made it clear across the Commonwealth that they do not subscribe to the ideals of this governor or that of the Republican Party," Lucas said. "One of the ideals was that we need to cut taxes for the rich and give more taxes to the poor."
Carr said the new Democratic majority "is one of action" and her party is "ready to keep moving Virginia forward." She outlined several bills her party introduced, including gun restrictions, affordable child care and increased investment in public schools. She also vowed that her party will "continue to ensure protections for a woman’s right to choose."
Republican Todd Gilbert, the House minority leader, praised Youngkin's speech, calling it "a refreshing contrast to some of what we’ve seen out of our Democratic colleagues in the past 24 hours."
"While some Democrats, such as Speaker [Don] Scott, have expressed a willingness to work together, far too many have said that anything that comes from the Governor or a Republican is ‘dead on arrival,'" Gilbert wrote in a statement. "Knee jerk partisanship does nothing for anyone."
House Republican Caucus Chair Amanda Batten, in a statement, praised Youngkin's call to address antisemitism.
"Every single Virginian should be able to practice their faith without fear, and I hope our Democratic colleagues will join us in working to make that a reality," Batten wrote.