Dear Friend,

Now that we are post-Session, members of the General Assembly are awaiting the Governor’s actions on the many bills that passed out of both Chambers, many of which required long days and weeks of discussion, negotiation, and compromise. The Governor has already vetoed many items of legislation, some despite their bipartisan support and others despite their urgency for helping Virginians across the Commonwealth.

In this week’s newsletter, I discuss the budget impasse briefly, highlight upcoming town halls and activities, and share highlights of the past week.

Governor Youngkin’s “Backwards Budget Tour”

During this past week, Governor Youngkin embarked on what some dubbed the “Backwards Budget Tour.” Ever since the General Assembly passed its budget bill two weeks ago, amending the proposed biennium budget first presented by Youngkin, the Governor has been attacking and vilifying the bill negotiated by the two Chambers.

Although I was not a budget conferee, as a newly-appointed member of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, I had a firsthand view, this Session, of the process of budget development. It was an engaging opportunity to hear a variety of presentations, to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to listen to the concerns and needs of different regions, localities, agencies, and organizations, and to deliberate on the ways in which a balanced budget also reflected the values of the Commonwealth.

While the compromised budget does not address every area of concern, it is overall a strong and meaningful investment in our current needs and in Virginia’s future. The bipartisan and bicameral acknowledgement that our public education requires the most significant attention – if we are to ensure our children’s success, address our workforce needs, and build a competitive economy – is most directly addressed in the budget with its investments for students and schools, improved staffing and support, competitive teacher pay, and funding for the educator pipeline.

Thus the Governor’s reactions to the agreed-to budget bill has been immensely disappointing. We have heard that he may possibly veto the entire bill, sending us back to the drawing board. We have also heard that he may propose numerous amendments on key priorities. Either way will require that we reconvene in a Special Session. 

Why is Youngkin attacking the budget? The following are three areas that he has specifically pointed to as non-starters for him:

1. Youngkin wants to build an arena in Alexandria. Why is this a bad idea? Well, first of all, Youngkin and his team apparently never actually consulted with local government officials in Alexandria to discuss the proposal. This idea has been thrust upon the locality without the significant and necessary planning and discussion that is needed for effective negotiation, agreement, and implementation. The proposal itself depends on a massive investment by the Commonwealth, the assumption of a $1.5 billion debt from Wall Street financiers, and relies on some fuzzy mathematical assumptions as delineated by Youngkin’s own internal financial report. According to the Washington Post, this fuzzy math includes “unprecedented prices for high-end hotels, according to an analysis commissioned by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration that has not been released to the public.” It also includes costly parking, lofty aspirations for frequent and high-priced events, and rosy projections for massive streams of revenue. Despite the fact that the General Assembly has said “no” to this deal, Youngkin is traveling across Virginia to try to build support for an arena that would cost Virginians billions of dollars, line the pockets of billionaires, and is not desired by the locality itself.
2. The reintroduction of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the budget is another point of contention for Youngkin. After he pulled Virginia out of RGGI, and some would argue that he did so illegally since he does not have executive authority to take such action, the General Assembly voted to bring Virginia back into the regional agreement to reduce carbon emissions. RGGI has already brought hundreds of millions of dollars to Virginia to build flood resiliency, support energy efficiency programs, and to invest in clean energy. Youngkin continues to be opposed to this critical step in addressing climate change.
3. Another point of contention is the proposed sales tax on digital goods. When he presented his own budget in January, the Governor himself introduced the digital sales tax. However, his bill taxed only the individual consumer. Democrats agreed to keep his tax on digital goods for individual consumers but also proposed to tax businesses similarly. If one company is using the digital products of another company, that business-to-business transaction should also be taxed, especially if the business-to-individual consumer is taxed. Youngkin’s stance places a burden on the individual taxpayer while absolving larger corporations and businesses.

These are key areas of disagreement between Youngkin and the General Assembly. The burden of a costly arena, the loss of revenue from RGGI, and the loss of revenue from businesses and their transactions on digital goods all place significant burdens on Virginians. They also redirect money to corporations, at the expense of the taxpayer. We have to ask: Whose budget is truly backwards?

Virtual Town Hall with VCCS Chancellor David Doré

Next Wednesday, March 27, I will host a virtual town hall to discuss higher education and how this recent session’s legislation and funding actions impact our education systems. Joining me is Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Participants will have an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session, following our discussion. The event is open to the public and registration is required.

Initiatives of Change Town Hall

I am looking forward to next Tuesday, March 26, 6:00 until 8:00 pm, when I will join Richmond City Councilmember Stephanie Lynch, Delegate Mike Jones, and representatives from Initiatives of Change USA for a town hall at Common House Richmond (303 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220). At this town hall, we will provide legislative updates, from both the General Assembly and Richmond City Council, and discuss community concerns. The event is open to the public, and registration is required. 

Women’s Health Care Discussion

Another very important conversation will take place this Sunday, March 24, as US Senator Tim Kaine convenes a panel, along with Representative Jennifer McClellan, to discuss women’s health care. As states across the country and as federal legislators pass laws that impact women’s health care in numerous ways, this discussion is particularly necessary at this moment. I will be sharing the efforts of this year's General Assembly on women’s health care issues. Registration for this discussion is open.

Walk with Women Event

In honor of Women’s History Month, Richmond City Councilmember Nicole Jones is hosting a Women’s Walk this Saturday, March 23, at 10:00 am. The walk will bring together women from across the City to reflect on the work and dedication of numerous others who have fought for women’s rights, equality, and social justice. Although I am not able to join because of a prior commitment, I know that this gathering will be a powerful opportunity for many in the Richmond area.

Select Community Engagements

This past Monday, I enjoyed meeting with New Virginia Majority advocates to discuss tenant rights and critical housing concerns within our communities. When large corporate landlords profit while allowing their rental properties to deteriorate with rodent and roach infestations and with mold spreading on walls and ceilings, we must hold them accountable. These egregious health and safety code violations impact the well-being of many of our neighbors and friends in the region.

Later that afternoon, I also joined Senator Lashrecse Aird, Delegate Phil Hernandez, and representatives from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and the Virginia Poverty Law Center, for a “What’s On My Energy Bill” webinar. We discussed recent legislation that addresses energy efficiency, demands on our grid, the transition to renewable energy, and the work that remains for Virginia to meet the goals of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

On Tuesday morning, Global Virginia hosted its fifth annual summit to discuss education, workforce needs, and the global contexts for which we must prepare Virginia’s students. Our interdependent societies and the increasingly complex international realities of every business and industry require that linguistic and cross-cultural competency be an important part of our education model. I appreciated the opportunity to share my thoughts at the start of the Summit.

Yesterday, members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) hosted a 2024 Legislative Briefing with me and Delegate Lee Ware. DKG is dedicated to improving opportunities for women employed at every level of education, as well as to advancing the status of women educators. Delegate Ware and I highlighted recent legislative efforts in areas of education, health care, and the environment.

Connecting With My Office

My office can be reached at the following:

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone:  804.698.7515

If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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