Another Momentous Year in the Commonwealth!




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2023 was another momentous year in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We broke
records in job growth, tax relief, and investments for our students, teachers,
and behavioral health. We welcomed new businesses and professional sports teams
to Virginia. We recognized Virginians making a difference in their communities
and lifted up communities to reach their full potential. And we represented the
Spirit of Virginia abroad to further our prosperity here at home.



We had a lot of fun along the way, too, and look forward to what is ahead in
2024.



Here are our Top Moments from 2023 (in no particular order)!


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“Virginia is the best place to live, work, raise a family, and soon watch a
basketball or hockey game.”- Governor Glenn Youngkin.



In December, Governor Youngkin announced a $2 billion public-private
partnership to create a world-class Entertainment District in the City of
Alexandria at Potomac Yard. This new 9 million-square-foot district developed
by JBG SMITH will feature the global corporate headquarters for Monumental
Sports & Entertainment (MSE), an industry-leading Arena for both the Washington
Capitals and Washington Wizards, a state-of-the-art Monumental Sports Network
media studio, the Wizards practice facility, a performing arts venue, and an
expanded esports facility, in addition to bringing new retail, residential,
restaurants, hotels, conference, and community gathering spaces. The
Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate
headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this was truly a monumental
announcement.




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“The Commonwealth remains a state where your government understands that we
work for you. That means that you keep more of your hard-earned money because
it’s yours, not the government’s.” -Governor Glenn Youngkin



In September, Governor Youngkin signed a budget that included, among many
things, $1 billion in tax relief for hardworking Virginians. That is on top of
the historic $4 billion in relief signed into law last year, bringing the total
to $5 billion in tax relief Youngkin has delivered in less than two years.
That’s $2,200 in tax relief to a typical Virginia family since the start of
Youngkin’s administration. We have nearly doubled the standard deduction,
primarily helping lower-and middle-class families, increasing the deduction to
$8,500 for single filers and $17,000 for those filing jointly. And we
eliminated the age restrictions on tax relief for our military retirees so
Virginia remains the best place to live and retire for the men and women who
have served our country.



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“We are blessed that Virginia is home to so many heroes who bravely answered
the call to serve our country in uniform. May we never forget to pause and
reflect on the noble sacrifices of our veterans, the men and women currently
serving, and those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms.” - Governor
Glenn Youngkin.



Governor Youngkin knows that we can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to
the men and women who have served our country in uniform and their families.
But he remains committed to ensuring Virginia is the best place to live, work,
and raise a family for our veterans, service members, and their families.
That’s why he signed legislation into law this year to improve benefits for our
veterans, those currently serving in the military, and their spouses.



In June, Youngkin visited the American Cemetery in Normandy to pay formal
respects to the brave Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.







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“This new surge of energy that tells us that our future is unbounded and
unlimited - this is the new Petersburg that we know Petersburg should be. And,
so, when people ask me why are we here? I repeat boldly because Petersburg
matters.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin



In September, Governor Youngkin celebrated the significant shift in Petersburg
one year after he and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin launched the Partnership
for Petersburg. The Partnership for Petersburg has transformed communities and
improved the lives of many. The Governor and First Lady are proud to support
the people of Petersburg and look forward to celebrating the next year of
opportunity and success.




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“When we acknowledge that we live in a world where there is hate, and where
that hate is translated into despicable actions, we can stand up together and
say there is no room for that. When we clearly define hatred, as this bill
does, then we can transform for the good and build a better future.” - Governor
Glenn Youngkin



In May, Governor Youngkin signed into law legislation to formally adopt the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of
Antisemitism. This definition will be used as a tool and guide to identify
instances of antisemitism and train first responders, educators, and other
public servants how to respond to antisemitism and prevent hate crimes from
happening.



In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, Governor
Youngkin reaffirmed his commitment to stand with Israel and the entire Jewish
community.




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“There’s nothing more important than getting the people that we love the right
help, right now.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin



In December, Governor Youngkin recognized the one-year anniversary of the
Right Help, Right Now initiative that is transforming Virginia’s behavioral
health system. The budget Youngkin signed into law in September included
critical funding for expanding crisis receiving centers and stabilization
units, reinforcing and expanding mobile crisis teams across the entire
Commonwealth, expanding our investment in hospital-based psychiatric
alternatives, and building our behavioral health care workforce. On the
one-year anniversary of the initiative, Youngkin announced $500 million in new
proposed funding and a Youth Mental Health strategy that addresses the youth
mental health crisis in Virginia, with new legislation to restrict access to
TikTok for children under the age of 18.




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“We have more people working in the Commonwealth of Virginia than ever in the
history of the Commonwealth. Companies are coming. Businesses are coming.
Virginia is on the move.” -Governor Glenn Youngkin



Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, Virginia’s workforce is stronger than
ever. Over 230,000 more Virginians are working today compared to when Youngkin
took office. More Virginians are working than ever before in the history of the
Commonwealth. The labor force participation rate increased to 66.9 percent in
November 2023, which is the highest labor force participation rate experienced
in Virginia since March 2012. Governor Youngkin’s pro-growth policies have made
Virginia a better place to do business, with iconic American companies bringing
their businesses and the jobs that come with them to the Commonwealth.










“Building Blocks for Virginia Families will ensure families can choose the
early option that best supports their children in their most formative years
and enter school ready to learn.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin



In December, Governor Youngkin launched Building Blocks for Virginia Families
to ensure families can choose the early childhood education option that best
supports their children in their most formative years and enter school ready to
learn. Through Building Blocks for Virginia Families, every eligible child will
be able to continue to access high quality options that meet their family’s
specific childcare needs and Virginia will remain the national leader in
innovative approaches to quality early education and childcare.



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This year, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin recognized six
organizations with the Spirit of Virginia Award. The Spirit of Virginia Award
recognizes unique qualities and standout achievements across the Commonwealth
and salutes Virginians for their uncommon contributions in private industries,
education, culture, the arts, and philanthropy.



The 2023 Spirit of Virginia Award Recipients include:



February 2023 - Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation



April 2023 - Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates



July 2023 - Virginia Space Flight Academy



September 2023 - Boulder Crest Foundation



October 2023 - Wildlife Foundation of Virginia



November 2023 - God's Pit Crew



READ MORE ABOUT THE 2023 SPIRIT OF VIRGINIA AWARDS
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“Attendance. Literacy. Learning. I challenge all of us to work together with
urgency to create a brighter future and deliver the education our students in
the Commonwealth were deprived of for far too long." -Governor Glenn Youngkin



In September, Governor Youngkin launched a comprehensive plan to recover
pandemic-related learning loss for Virginia’s students - the ALL in Virginia
plan. In December, Governor Youngkin announced that all 131 Virginia school
divisions have finalized their ALL in VA plans to address significant learning
loss through free high-intensity tutoring, literacy education, and measures to
promote school attendance.



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“Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea represent critical markets that will advance
economic growth and prosperity in Virginia. In strengthening these
relationships, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to our allies but
also strengthening the spirit of Virginia and America.” -Governor Glenn Youngkin



In April, Governor Youngkin led his first international trade mission to
Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Governor Youngkin met with the President of
Taiwan, government officials, and business leaders to further strengthen
Virginia’s economic and cultural connections to the region.



Youngkin also signed an executive order creating a Virginia-Taiwan trade
office in Taipei, and pledged to build a deep and lasting partnership with
Taiwan.




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In October, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin broke ground on
the new Regional Workforce and Childcare Development Hub in Southwest Virginia.
This $25 million public-private partnership will transform a former Kmart space
into an 87,000-square-foot developmental space. It will provide a reliable
childcare center that can admit up to 300 children, offer career exploration
opportunities, and additional skills-based training for the next generation of
the workforce. Expected to touch the lives of 30,000 K-12 students in Southwest
Virginia, attract new employers, and help retain current residents, this
building will aid in addressing many of the barriers to economic and career
growth that rural Virginia faces.






















Throughout this year, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin were
honored to host thousands of Virginians at the Executive Mansion. Whether it
was the Art Experience, holiday celebrations, the Secretariat monument
unveiling, Women’s History Month, Boots on the Square, and so much more, the
Executive Mansion was filled with fun, excitement, and memorable moments in
2023. This year was another reminder of the Executive Mansion’s vital role in
projecting our Commonwealth’s past, present, and future.






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Governor Youngkin had a lot of fun with his March Madness picks this year,
bringing in college mascots from around Virginia for a promo video of the
annual collegiate basketball tournament. Governor Youngkin, a former basketball
player, was joined in the video by Norfolk State University's Spiro the
Spartan, James Madison University's Duke Dog, Virginia Commonwealth
University's Rodney the Ram, and University of Virginia's Cav Man.



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Happy New Year!



Team Youngkin




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