In December, Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled his tax relief proposal to lower income taxes across the board for hardworking Virginians. Since then, his plan has received plaudits across the board from experts who recognize Youngkin’s proposal will help grow the economy, make the Commonwealth more competitive, and help Virginians keep more of their hard-earned money. 

“It’s clear that Governor Youngkin cares deeply about the financial well-being of millions of Virginia families and businesses. The governor’s admirable budget proposal would allow them to keep much more of their hard-earned money on a permanent basis, providing sustained relief for many years to come.” - Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform

“...Gov. Glenn Youngkin is still pressing ahead with tax reform to help the state’s economy… The proposed reforms would be a big net tax cut, returning $589 million to Virginia’s economy in 2026.” -  Wall Street Journal Editorial Board

“Governor Youngkin’s proposal… represents a step forward in making Virginia more competitive among its neighbors and more attractive for businesses and individuals.” - Tax Foundation

Governor Youngkin’s efforts to make our Commonwealth the best place to live, work, and raise a family continue to receive widespread support from Virginians. New polling from the Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy shows Governor Glenn Youngkin with a 58% approval rating among Virginians. That is higher than it was even a year ago, when the same poll found Governor Youngkin with a 56% approval rating in January 2023. Youngkin also has a positive approval rating across every region in the Commonwealth! This poll continues the trend of high approval ratings for Governor Youngkin as he continues to focus on the issues that matter most to Virginia families - growing jobs, lowering the cost of living, improving education, and transforming our behavioral health system. 

Following Christmas, Governor Youngkin announced new jobs and economic investments in rural Virginia. For Prince Edward County, Governor Youngkin announced that 5 Pillar Meats will create 12 new jobs and invest more than $1.7 million to build a new meat processing facility. 

And in Russell County, Governor Youngkin announced that Bates Family Farm will create 12 new jobs and invest nearly $1 million to relocate its manufacturing facility to a 40,000-square-foot Russell County building. 

These announcements reflect the job growth and economic prosperity that remains strong across Virginia. More Virginians are working today than ever before in the history of the Commonwealth!

Rounding out 2023, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin returned to Carver Elementary School for a holiday visit with students.  In line with Governor Youngkin’s ALL IN VA education plan, Mrs. Youngkin joined with both the Kiwanis Club and the Friends of Suzanne Youngkin volunteers to foster a love of learning and reading in Virginia’s youngest students.  This most recent visit marked the First Lady’s fifth visit to the school.  The First Lady read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and brought festive cookies to share.

December’s Girls with Pearls meeting focused on communication, confidence, bullying, and self-care. The First Lady spoke at the top about poise, preparation, and presentation.  Girls with Pearls is a first-of-its-kind joint effort between Petersburg’s Blandford Academy, Communities in Schools, the Petersburg Women’s Club, and Friends of Suzanne Youngkin volunteers, with the purpose of pairing women mentors and sixth-grade girls to engage on health and wellbeing.

The First Lady is actively engaged in many important Virginia organizations tied to her Women + girls initiative and looks forward to more volunteering opportunities this year.

The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion continues to make #homehistory in its second year, boasting over 70 works in partnership with more than 40 art partners. This past week living artists, museum representatives, and creatives from across the Commonwealth gathered in Virginia’s home alongside the First Lady and Governor in celebration of this dynamic, first-of-its-kind exhibit. Thank you to Ann Goettman, Judy Boland, Alicia Starlipe, and countless others for your work on this project! 

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