Current:Home > MyVirginia lawmakers approve budget, but governor warns that changes will be needed-LoTradeCoin
Virginia lawmakers approve budget, but governor warns that changes will be needed
View Date:2024-12-23 20:23:22
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers wrapped up their 60-day legislative session Saturday by approving a two-year budget that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees, increases education funding and extends the state sales tax to cover digital services.
Notably missing from the budget was language that would have helped Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin achieve one of his top priorities: a $2 billion development district with a new arena to lure the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals to Alexandria and give Virginia its first major pro sports teams.
The Democratic-led General Assembly rejected the proposal through two standalone bills, then refused to approve language in the state budget that would have paved the way for the project.
Youngkin, who touted the arena project as a major economic boom for Virginia, could still revive it by calling a special legislation session to start over with a new bill.
Democratic Sen. L. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, who used her position as chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to keep the deal out of the budget, said she opposed the project largely because of its reliance on bonds backed by the state and city governments.
This year’s legislative session is the third since Youngkin took office, but it’s the first time he has had to work with both a Senate and House of Delegates controlled by Democrats.
Some Democrats complained throughout the session that Youngkin was unwilling to compromise.
“He’s going to find out that he has to treat us like equals,” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said. “He has to treat us with respect. He’s going to have to negotiate with us and not dictate to us.”
Youngkin made it clear he is not happy with the budget, calling it “backward” and saying it needs “a lot of work.”
In addition to the budget legislation, lawmakers have sent Youngkin more than 1,000 bills. The governor can sign or veto bills, let them become law without his signature, or seek amendments. The General Assembly will reconvene to consider those proposed changes April 17.
The two-year budget approved Saturday excludes many of the priorities Youngkin included in a proposal he submitted in December. Lawmakers stripped out Youngkin’s proposal to lower income tax rates and raise the sales tax but did include his proposal to expand the sales tax to cover digital services, including purchases of streaming subscriptions, cloud storage and online downloads.
Teachers and state employees will get 3% raises in each of the two years covered by the budget.
veryGood! (24131)
Related
- The boy was found in a ditch in Wisconsin in 1959. He was identified 65 years later.
- Francis Ngannou knocks down heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, who escapes with split decision
- The FDA warns consumers to stop using several eyedrop products due to infection risk
- Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick leaves game against Jags with hamstring injury
- Steelers shoot for the moon ball, but will offense hold up or wilt in brutal final stretch?
- Winning matters, but youth coaches shouldn't let it consume them. Here are some tips.
- Adolis Garcia's walk-off homer in 11th inning wins World Series Game 1 for Rangers
- Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Launches First Ever Menswear Collection
- Justice Department says jail conditions in Georgia’s Fulton County violate detainee rights
- 49ers QB Brock Purdy cleared to start against Bengals after concussion in Week 7
Ranking
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Erdogan opts for a low-key celebration of Turkey’s 100th anniversary as a secular republic
- Alleged Maine gunman tried to buy a silencer months before Lewiston shootings
- Mexico raises Hurricane Otis death toll to 43 and puts missing at 36 as search continues
- When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
- A Look at the Surprising Aftermath of Bill Gates and Melinda Gates' Divorce
- U.S. military finishes renaming bases that previously honored Confederates
- Fed up with mass shootings, mayors across nation call for gun reform after 18 killed in Maine
Recommendation
-
Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
-
Rescuers search for missing migrants off Sicilian beach after a shipwreck kills at least 5
-
Oprah chooses Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward as new book club pick
-
Colombian police continue search for father of Liverpool striker Díaz
-
Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
-
Google to present its star witness, the company's CEO, in landmark monopoly trial
-
Live updates | Israeli military intensifies strikes on Gaza including underground targets
-
C.J. Stroud's exceptional start for Texans makes mockery of pre-NFL draft nonsense