Current:Home > FinanceVirginia lawmakers convene special session on long-delayed budget-LoTradeCoin
Virginia lawmakers convene special session on long-delayed budget
View Date:2025-01-13 14:09:25
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The politically divided Virginia General Assembly convened Wednesday in a special session to consider compromise budget legislation that’s six months overdue.
The small group of negotiators who have been leading budget talks since the Legislature’s regular session ended without agreement on adjustments to the two-year state spending plan announced they had reached a compromise two weeks ago. Full details were rolled out over the weekend.
The proposal includes about $1 billion in tax reductions, mostly in the form of a one-time tax rebate of $200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers. It would also increase the standard deduction, remove the age requirement for a military retiree tax benefit and reinstate a popular sales tax holiday lawmakers forgot to renew.
The tax policy changes were a key part of the budget stalemate, as Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the GOP-controlled House of Delegates had argued for an additional $1 billion permanent cuts, including a reduction to the corporate tax rate. Democrats who control the state Senate argued that more reductions would be premature after negotiating $4 billion in tax relief last year.
The compromise proposal would boost K-12 education spending by about $650 million and fund behavioral health initiatives sought by the governor. It includes funding for an extra 2% raise for state workers in December, as well as money for the state’s share of a 2% raise for state-supported local employees, including teachers.
Top lawmakers have signaled support for the deal, and the session was expected to last only one day. Once passed, it would go to Youngkin, who could either sign it as is or seek amendments.
“The governor is pleased the general assembly is sending him a budget,” Youngkin’s spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said in a statement Wednesday morning.
Because Virginia operates on a two-year budget cycle, with the full plan adopted in even years and tweaked in odd years, this year’s delay has not impacted state government services or payroll. But it has led to consternation from school districts, local governments and other interests impacted by the state’s taxation and spending policy.
veryGood! (47)
Related
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
- What was the best movie of 2023? From 'Barbie' to 'Poor Things,' these are our top 10
- Owner of Washington Wizards and Capitals seriously considering leaving D.C. for Virginia
- Stalled schools legislation advances in Pennsylvania as lawmakers try to move past budget feud
- Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Her Boyfriend
- New Hampshire sheriff charged with theft, perjury and falsifying evidence resigns
- Minnie Driver recalls being 'devastated' by Matt Damon breakup at 1998 Oscars
- Stalled schools legislation advances in Pennsylvania as lawmakers try to move past budget feud
- College Football Playoff snubs: Georgia among teams with beef after second rankings
- The 20 Best Celeb-Picked Holiday Gift Ideas for Foodies from Paris Hilton, Cameron Diaz & More
Ranking
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- NJ man charged with decapitating his mother, sang 'Jesus Loves Me' during arrest: Police
- Tesla recall: 2 million vehicles to receive software update as autopilot deemed insufficient
- Commuters stranded in traffic for hours after partial bridge shutdown in Rhode Island
- 'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
- Minnie Driver recalls being 'devastated' by Matt Damon breakup at 1998 Oscars
- West Virginia GOP Gov. Justice appoints cabinet secretary to circuit judge position
- Tesla recalls over 2 million vehicles to fix defective Autopilot monitoring system
Recommendation
-
Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
-
Dick Nunis, who helped expand Disney’s theme park ambitions around the globe, dies at age 91
-
Selena Gomez’s Birthday Tribute to Taylor Swift Will Make You Say Long Live Taylena
-
Many top Russian athletes faced minimal drug testing in 2023 ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
-
Hundreds of eggs, 53 primates, 660 pounds of ivory among items seized in global wildlife trafficking operation
-
Stalled schools legislation advances in Pennsylvania as lawmakers try to move past budget feud
-
How to Keep Your Hair Healthy All Year-Round, According to Dua Lipa's Stylist Jesus Guerrero