Gov. Glenn Youngkin took a moment in Tuesday's news conference to talk about steps his administration is taking in reaction to the Uvalde massacre, including seeking funding for more school resource officers.
The state budget finally has landed on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.
Youngkin now has seven days to propose amendments or vetoes to the two budget bills, one for changes to the spending plan for the current fiscal year that ends June 30, and the other for a new, $165 billion two-year budget.
Press Secretary Macaulay Porter confirmed on Thursday that “the governor’s office has now received the budget” and that he would propose changes “within the seven-day constitutional limit.”
That sets up a likely showdown with the General Assembly at the end of next week, with the earliest date for the legislature to reconvene in special session on Friday, June 17.
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House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, who negotiated the budget compromise with Senate Finance Chair Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, over the past three months, said he has not heard an official date for the assembly to return to Richmond to act on the budget.
However, Knight added, “If I was a betting man, I would say the 17th.”
The current two-year budget will expire at the end of June 30.
The two proposed budgets together would reduce taxes by $4 billion, taking advantage of more than $14 billion in additional revenues over three years.
Youngkin may want more.
The Washington Post reported this week that during a Monday appearance in Bristol, Youngkin said: “I’m not done on the gas tax, folks. I’m not done.”
The first-year governor proposed about $5.5 billion in tax cuts, including a three-month suspension of the state gasoline tax that the Senate rejected entirely and the full repeal of the 2.5% sales tax on groceries, which the budget deal eliminates partially, while keeping the 1% local option tax that goes directly to local governments.
It increases the standard deduction on income taxes by almost 80% and provides tax rebates of $250 to individuals and families, but not as much as Youngkin had sought.
The proposed budgets also include a 10% raise over two years for state employees, teachers, college faculty and state supported local employees, as well as a one-time $1,000 bonus on Dec. 1. It also includes targeted pay increases for state police, sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, and direct care staff at state behavioral health facilities, as well as additional money for localities with police departments.
The budgets, which the House of Delegates and Senate approved on June 1, also include spending increases on K-12 public education, financial aid and “tuition moderation” for colleges and universities, and reimbursements for health and personal care services provided to the elderly, poor and disabled under the state Medicaid program.
The spending plans include an additional $22.5 million per year to pay for school resource officer incentive grants, an issue of renewed interest for some lawmakers following the school shootings in Uvalde, Texas.
The budgets also propose a new approach for the state to spend $1.25 billion to help local school divisions replace or repair outdated public school buildings, which legislators estimate would leverage more than $3.2 billion for school modernization through low-interest loans and grants.
The two-year budget includes $100 million for one of Youngkin’s top political priorities, the creation of lab schools by colleges and universities to work with local school divisions on alternative settings to traditional K-12 public education.
Youngkin and House Republicans initially sought $150 million for lab schools.
Locally, the budgets include up to $470 million in state funds to widen Interstate 64 on a 29-mile stretch between Bottoms Bridge in New Kent County and Lightfoot in James City County to provide at least three lanes in each direction between Richmond and Hampton Roads.
Top five weekend events: ¿Qué Pasa? Festival, Ashland Strawberry Festival, Fred Armisen and Bon Iver
Fred Armisen

Friday
Former “Saturday Night Live” staffer is hitting the road this summer on his “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome” tour. The tour taps into jokes for musicians, that the everymanperson can appreciate, as well as including Armisen on drums and guitar. With Def Rain. 8 p.m. The National, 708 E. Broad St. $25-$30. thenationalva.com or (888) 929-7849.
¿Qué Pasa? Festival

SaturdayAfter two years of postponement because of COVID, the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival returns to the Canal Walk. Explore the diversity of Hispanic and Latin American cultures with dance, food, drinks, crafts, art activities and education. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 320 S. 12 St. to Virginia St. Free entry, pay as you go. https://quepasafestival.com/
Ashland Strawberry Faire

Saturday
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ashland Strawberry Faire at Randolph Macon College. Enjoy live music, 300 vendors, a pet pageant, trolley rides, a kids’ parade and lots and lots of strawberries. Proceeds benefit scholarships and grants to local nonprofits. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Randolph Macon College Campus, Henry Street. Free entry, pay as you go. https://ashlandstrawberryfaire.com/
RIFF Music Festival

Sunday
The Richmond International Film Festival wraps up a week of events with a Music Fest at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery featuring a full day of music from bands around the world on indoor and outdoor stages. Noon-5:30 p.m. Free to attend, pay as you go, donations encouraged. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Lane. https://riffva2022.eventive.org/welcome
Bon Iver

Sunday
American indie folk band, Bon Iver, will perform at Virginia Credit Union Live! with Bonny Light Horseman opening. Bon Iver is known for songs “Skinny Love” and “Rosyln” and their collaborations with Taylor Swift on “Exile” and “Evermore.” 7:30 p.m. Virginia Credit Union Live! at Richmond Raceway, 900 E. Laburnum Ave. $49.50 to $99.50. www.vaculive.com or (804) 612-1900.