Despite a razor-thin majority in the Virginia Senate and House, earlier this year, Democrats sent Governor Youngkin a budget proposal chock full of tax increases and outrageous spending. Speculation had been brewing as to whether or not the Governor would respond with a complete veto of their budget or attempt to negotiate with the Democrats. That question was answered last week when Governor Youngkin made a new proposal which abandoned his hoped-for tax cuts, while calling on Democrats to meet him on “common ground” by giving up on their desire for huge new tax increases. As part of his proposal, the Governor sent an unheard of 233 amendments to the state legislature’s budget. The next step is a return of the General Assembly on April 17th for a special session to hammer out some kind of compromise for the Virginia state budget.

Details and media coverage of Youngkin’s plan and the negotiations:

FACT SHEET: A Common Ground Budget for A Structurally Balanced Commonwealth – Office of the Governor of Virginia

Avoiding full veto, Youngkin sends lawmakers 233 budget amendments – Virginia Mercury, Graham Moomaw, Charlie Paulin and Nathaniel Cline

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he won’t support recently passed budget that includes tax hike – APNews.com, Sarah Rankin

Youngkin proposes 242 amendments to budget, would keep teacher, state worker raises – Richmond Times Dispatch, Dave Ress

Youngkin won’t veto Virginia’s $64B state budget – Fox5DC.com – Tom Fitzgerald