Speaking to the General Assembly’s Joint Money Committees earlier today, Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced his proposed amendments to the biennial budget to be considered during the 2023 legislative session. Highlights of the amendments include:

• Providing over $230 million to jumpstart the Right Help, Right Now plan to overhaul of behavioral health and substance abuse.

• Launching Virginia’s Compete to Win strategy by investing in tax cuts, talent, and business-ready sites.

• Strengthening law enforcement and public safety by funding Operation Bold Blue Line, including $30 million to recruit 2,000 new law enforcement heroes, additional funding for prosecutors who are tough on crime.

• Keeping Our Commitment to Virginia’s Children with new investments in reading and math and expanded resources for education.

• Offering unprecedented support to our ‘Quiet Heroes’ – teachers, nurses, and law enforcement, including $175 million for recruitment, expanded career pathways, and bonuses.

• Making a historic investment in conservation and preservation, including $685 million in resiliency and the Chesapeake Bay.

• Igniting the All-American, All-of-the-Above Energy Plan with a $10 million investment in nuclear and other carbon-free technologies that produce reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

Find quotes from the House Republican Leadership team below:

Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Mt. Jackson

“It’s refreshing to hear a Governor talk about the need to get results for Virginians, and achieve those results quicker. I look forward to working with the Governor and his administration to reach our shared goals of more jobs, more opportunity, better education, safer communities, smarter government, and tax relief for overburdened families. We can and will get this done for all Virginians.”

House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R- Gate City

“Governor Youngkin’s proposals will make Virginia more competitive on the national and international stage, and it will put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Virginia families who are struggling to deal with near record inflation. There’s a lot to be optimistic about in this proposal that will particularly benefit Southwest Virginia, in addition to the rest of the Commonwealth.”

House Republican Caucus Chair Amanda Batten, R-Williamsburg

“There’s no question that Virginia’s behavioral health system is in desperate need of reform and additional resources. The Governor’s budget is the first serious proposal in some time to build more capacity and faster responses into the system and actively work to remove this burden from our law enforcement agencies.”

House Majority Whip Michael Webert, R-Fauquier

“I’m pleased to see such a significant new commitment to public safety in the Governor’s proposal today. Not only does he want to build on proven programs like Operation Ceasefire, but he also has built in plans to help reverse the trends that are hollowing out our law enforcement agencies. Working together, we’re going to make our communities safer.”

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach

“The Governor’s proposals are a great set of ideas and represent a great place for us to start our budget deliberations for the 2023 General Assembly session. They address some of the most important issues facing our Commonwealth, and I look forward to working with the Governor, his team, and our House colleagues to shape them into a set of amendments of which we can all be proud.”