ICYMI: Gov. Youngkin Visits Alexandria, Renews Call to Eliminate Virginia’s Grocery Tax
“Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) trumpeted a plan Thursday to eliminate the state’s grocery tax at an appearance inside an Alexandria supermarket, promising to counter inflation by slashing what he called a ‘regressive’ policy. ‘Today is about tackling the high costs in Virginia — the high costs I believe are unnecessarily borne by those that can afford it the least,’ he said, speaking to a roundtable of Northern Virginia residents as they snacked on ham sandwiches and fruit,” The Washington Post reported.
WATCH: Fairfax Mom Stands Up for County Parents and Students
Carrie Lukas, vice president of Independent Women’s Voice and mother of five children, shared her concerns with the Fairfax County School Board last night. Lukas’s remarks focused on the current mask controversy — her own kids were suspended for not wearing facial coverings — and concluded with a plea for school choice.
“This week is known as National School Choice Week, and it’s time for Virginia to give parents like me the ability to leave this school system which very clearly doesn’t want us anyway,” Lukas said.
Gov. Youngkin Issues “School Choice Week” Proclamation
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced this week as School Choice Week, and issued a proclamation highlighting the importance of school choice for Virginia’s students and parents. “As your governor, I will continually stand up for students and parents and will sign the largest education budget in Virginia’s history. Our goal is that every student will graduate high school ready to go to college or start a great career. Choice and innovation within public education is vital to achieving that goal. That’s why together we will not only raise standards and raise teacher pay, but we will invest $150 million to kick start 20 new charter schools in the Commonwealth. We must empower parents and students with choice and innovation in K-12 public education,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
YOUNGKIN: Strengthening the Spirit of Virginia
Mr. Speaker, Lt. Governor Sears, Attorney General Miyares, Madame President, Members of the General Assembly, Justices of the Supreme Court, my fellow Virginians.
Today we gather, not as individuals, nor as Republicans or Democrats but as Virginians.
Elizabeth Schultz Named as Virginia’s Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction
Today Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin named Jillian Balow as Virginia’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Elizabeth Schultz as the next Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“Jillian and Elizabeth are going to be crucial in helping Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera restore excellence in education,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin & Miyares to Fight Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates
Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares today announced their intent to challenge the unconstitutional vaccine mandate imposed by President Biden’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused heartbreaking health, societal, and economic loss and suffering throughout the Commonwealth and the United States. Our children have experienced severe learning loss and developmental challenges that will last decades, strained and stressed hospital systems are suffering from an historic staffing crisis, and a crippled supply chain has driven up Virginians’ cost of living.
Virginia NAACP Encouraged Following Meeting with Youngkin Administration
Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr., and Executive Director Da’Quan Marcell Love met with Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor-elect Winsome Sears, and Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares earlier today.
The in-person, hour-long meeting took place at the request of the Virginia NAACP with the goal of creating a positive working relationship with the incoming administration from the very beginning.
Youngkin Names Veterans and Defense Affairs Leadership
Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin today announced he has chosen Craig Crenshaw as the next Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs of Virginia and Dan Gade as the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services.
“Craig and Dan share my vision for making Virginia the best place for our military heroes to pursue the next chapter of their lives,” Youngkin said. “They are dedicated to caring for our veterans, championing their concerns, connecting them with resources, getting them the proper care, and reducing barriers on their capital and employment opportunities.”
Youngkin Names Finance Secretary, Vows Lower Taxes
Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced his new finance secretary and vowed his team will promote lower taxes and greater fiscal responsibility in Richmond.
The governor-elect’s incoming finance secretary will be Stephen Emery Cummings, the former president and CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
“Lowering taxes and restoring fiscal responsibility in Richmond is a primary focus of our Day One Game Plan, and Steve’s experience and expertise will help make sure we deliver real results for Virginians,” Youngkin said.
PALLE: Diversity and Inclusion in the Virginia GOP
Diversity in the Republican Party is a timely topic. Election 2021 will define the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) for many years to come. Not only did we win a state-wide Republican sweep, but ours was the most diverse slate of candidates – both at the top of the ticket and down-ballot — in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. An immigrant African American woman (the first in Virginia on all counts) as our Lt. Governor, a Cuban American as our Attorney General, and the very first private equity executive as our Governor. We worked hard to make this happen – but the candidates we had to work with are extraordinary.