It was clear from the start that no budget that came before us would satisfy both parties. Yes, this budget has some items in it that I am not the biggest fan of, but it represents compromise. Together we managed to move forward without a tax increase which is absolutely crucial amid inflation and increasing economic pressures.
The budget continues the Youngkin Administration’s record commitment to education. Teachers can expect a 3% raise from the state in FY25 and FY26. Winchester Public Schools' Innovation Center will receive a $60,000 grant each year to expand workforce readiness education and industry based skills. Instructional support positions will also get a 25% increase each year of the COCA rates paid to school divisions in Clarke, Warren, Frederick, and Winchester to equalize the regional disparities in the SOQ.
A major highlight of the budget for our region is funding for transportation initiatives that move up the timeline for improvements on I-81.
Many constituents reached out requesting that we prioritize mental health in the budget, and we did just that. We need to build the capacity of our Commonwealth to handle the increasing need for care. The biennial budget contains $1M to support a mental health workforce pilot at institutions of highe reducation to support the costs of required supervision for graduates of Masters of Social Work and Masters of Counseling programs seeking licensure. Several areas of the budget aim to target areas that are underserved by mental health resources.
We also cannot forget our veterans. The budget provides $287,850 yearly to develop a specialization in military and veterans counseling within the existing clinical mental health counseling degree program and a post-graduate certificate in veterans counseling.
It’s not a perfect budget, but we reached a compromise and managed to prioritize many of the big ticket items. Governor Youngkin noted, “This budget resolution was empowered by the strength of our labor market, with more Virginians working than ever before and investments by businesses large and small, that have fueled record revenues for the Commonwealth.”
