When this session began, I made a challenge to the General Assembly: continue the bipartisan progress we’ve made for Virginians over the last two years by coming together around commonsense policies. 

During my first two years as Governor, we passed $5 billion in tax relief, created more than 200,000 jobs, attracted iconic businesses to relocate to Virginia, and made record investments in students, teachers, behavioral health, and law enforcement – all in a bipartisan manner. 

I was hopeful that Democrats would work with us to continue that bipartisan success. Unfortunately, Virginia Democrats chose an entirely different direction that will undo all the progress we’ve made.

They just released a backward budget that takes Virginia back to past policies that failed the Commonwealth before I took office. Their budget includes $2.6 billion in tax hikes that will hurt lower-income Virginians the most. They want to expand the sales tax, which would amount to a $2 billion tax increase. They also want to impose an energy tax on Virginians to the tune of $600 million, meaning your electric bill will go up.

Virginia Democrats also removed critical policies from their backward budget that should be commonsense, bipartisan priorities.

There is no tax relief included in their plan – nothing to offset the harmful tax hikes they want to impose on Virginians. They stripped funding out of the budget meant for recruiting law enforcement officers and school resource officers. And they rejected a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring 30,000 jobs, $12 billion in economic contribution, and two professional sports teams to Virginia.

I am disappointed that Virginia Democrats did not answer the call for bipartisanship and instead chose to advance partisan policies that will take Virginia backward. But as Governor, I will never stop fighting for Virginians. 

I am not going to let Virginia Democrats undo the great progress we’ve made over the last two and a half years. That’s why I need your help.