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Youngkin to cut $900 million from budget as financial buffer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is cutting $900 million from the revised two-year state budget to set aside a buffer against potential revenue losses as Virginia’s economy braces for deep cuts in federal employment and spending, and the financial fallout from President Donald Trump‘s tariffs on global trading partners. Youngkin, who continues to defend Trump’s tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce, said on Friday that he is vetoing 37 line items in the budget that the Democratic-controlled General Assembly delivered to him. Most of the savings, about $840 million, will come in the current fiscal year and then roll over as surplus in the next year, which begins July 1.
Youngkin carves out $900 million from budget as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty
What began as a session focused on how to spend Virginia’s projected multi-billion surplus has ended with Gov. Glenn Youngkin yanking nearly $900 million out of the state budget — bracing for the economic aftershocks of President Donald Trump’s new administration. At the start of the 2025 legislative session both Youngkin and members of Virginia’s General Assembly had their eyes on how best to use the windfall. But after Trump took office in late January, Youngkin announced Friday that he was setting aside a $900 million cushion to prepare for potential federal impacts.
Youngkin signs bill tightening baby food regulations
Virginia is now the third state in the United States to pass a law set to protect babies from dangerous contaminants in their food, joining a growing coalition of concerned states. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the Baby Food Protection bill on Friday. The legislation requires baby food makers to test for toxic heavy metals and display those test results via a QR code on the label.
Youngkin says he will support entire Virginia GOP ticket
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will support the entire GOP ticket, a week after he asked John Reid to withdraw as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor. Youngkin spoke with reporters at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond after discussing his final actions on the state’s amended two-year budget. After he initially did not answer a question directly, Youngkin was asked a second time whether he would campaign with Reid. “Yeah, we’re gonna ... I have said that I will support the nominees and their ticket,” Youngkin said. “And at the end of the day, Republicans need to win.”
Yancey: Youngkin vetoes contraception bill; will that boost Hashmi in the Democratic primary?
With his veto pen, Gov. Glenn Youngkin may have given an inadvertent boost Friday to one of the six Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor. With his signing pen, the Republican governor may have also given an inadvertent boost to a different Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. In last month’s so-called veto session, the Democratic-controlled General Assembly rejected Youngkin’s proposed amendments on 91 bills. He had until Friday to act on those: He signed 53 in their original form and vetoed 38 others. The headline item among the vetoes was on a bill that would have guaranteed a right to contraception.
Youngkin vetoes contraception, Confederate tax bills again
Gov. Glenn Youngkin added to his record score of vetoes Friday, killing 38 more bills and bringing his total to 437 for his term. His vetoes included the General Assembly’s second effort to guarantee a right to contraception (House Bill 1716 and Senate Bill 1105) as well as the legislature’s replay of a measure to end a tax break for Confederate organizations (House Bill 1699). Youngkin vetoed the bills after the General Assembly rejected his proposed changes to those measures.
Youngkin cuts $900 million from amended Virginia budget ahead of economic uncertainty
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said on Friday that he would trim Virginia’s budget by $900 million in light of next year’s tax revenue projections, which could decrease as the White House’s reshaping of federal spending spurs economic uncertainty in the state. At a news conference, Youngkin announced he had signed the bipartisan budget bill adopted in February by the Virginia General Assembly but vetoed 37 line items, winnowing state spending to create a rainy day cushion.
Va. bill to limit social media usage for kids signed into law
A Virginia law to force social media companies to limit kids under 16 to one hour of scrolling per day on their apps and platforms was signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday. SB854, known as the "Consumer Data Protection Act," will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The bill, subtitled "social media platforms, responsibilities and prohibitions to minors," had overwhelming support within the Virginia General Assembly from both Republicans and Democrats, with all commonwealth lawmakers voting for the legislation.