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Statement of House Republican Leaders on Passage of 2023 Budget Amendments

Statement of House Republican Leaders on Passage of 2023 Budget Amendments

Sep 6, 2023 | 2023 General Assembly, Budget

Statement of Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah

“The budget amendments we sent to Governor Youngkin are commendable in that they provide relief for Virginians struggling with rising costs of everyday expenses due to failed federal policies.

“And while it provides some help for hard-working Virginia families, it doesn’t do enough. Had Senate Democrats not been terrified of their primary voters, we could have made historic reforms to our income tax system that would have put more money back into the pockets of those who need it most. Those who make minimum wage don’t belong in Virginia’s highest tax bracket.

“Nonetheless, I am proud that our Republican conferees held firm on putting more money back into Virginians’ pockets and expanding the standard deduction. I specifically want to commend Delegates Karen Greenhalgh and John McGuire for their hard work to expand the tax break for retired veterans to all ages, a change long overdue to support those who served our country and Commonwealth.

“I look forward to working with Governor Youngkin and our Senate colleagues next year to craft a two-year budget that provides significant help for families dealing with skyrocketing costs.”

Statement of Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City

“I want to thank our budget conferees for standing firm and ultimately prevailing on delivering tax relief for Virginians. The budget package that we passed today not only includes tax relief that should alleviate rising costs for families, veterans, and small businesses, but also makes significant investments to restore excellence in public education.

“I am especially pleased with the significant economic and workforce investments in Southwest Virginia. For instance, the budget includes $10 million for the engineering and design work needed to develop a new inland port in Southwest Virginia.

“Overall, an additional $200 million for business-ready site development will help Virginia become a more attractive destination for businesses to operate, grow, and create jobs for Virginians.”

Statement of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach

“I want to commend our entire House negotiating team for the hard work they did over the past few months. As this General Assembly comes to a close, I’m proud to say that we’ve put $10 billion in our public schools, the most in Virginia’s history, supported the highest-ever balance in our Rainy Day and reserve revenue funds, and more resources for water quality improvement than ever.

“We also secured $1 billion in tax relief for hard-working Virginia families, dedicating significant new resources to getting our children back on track after the pandemic, and bolstering our mental health system to get troubled Virginians the help they need when they need.”

Statement of House Republican Leaders on Passage of 2023 Budget Amendments

Speaker Gilbert: We’re Closer Than Ever to Real Help for Virginia Families

Aug 25, 2023 | 2023 General Assembly

House Speaker Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement is encouraging, and I thank Chairman Knight, the House and Senate conferees, and staff for their hard work over these past six months.

“While the conferees have reached a deal to present to the General Assembly, both chambers of the legislature and the public still need to review a final agreement. Additional discussions regarding a potential special session will also need to occur over the coming week.

“We’re closer than ever before to providing real tax relief to Virginia families who are being squeezed by inflation and other skyrocketing costs, and providing historic levels of support for our schools.”

Meet the Democrats: Kimberly Pope Adams

Meet the Democrats: Kimberly Pope Adams

Aug 10, 2023 | Meet the Democrats

Just who have Virginia Democrats nominated for the House this year? A motley collection of left-wing extremists far removed from the concerns of everyday Virginians.

Today’s Democrat is Kimberly Pope Adams, HD 82.

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Like many Democrats, Kimberly Pope Adams supports elective abortion until the moment of birth and allowing schools to keep secrets about children from their parents.

What sets her apart, however, is her six hour change of heart about ending her campaign. The Progress-Index reported:

“In the first statement, released around 5:30 a.m., Adams wrote, ‘For nearly ten months, I have aggressively fundraised for the opportunity to represent my district in the General Assembly. However, it has become abundantly clear that my campaign does not have the financial viability to proceed.’ She announced she was firing all of her political consultants and refunding her campaign contributions to date.

“Five and a half hours later, Adams released a second statement with a far different tone. She was sparing her political consultants from the unemployment line.

“‘I got into this fight for the working families, for the single mothers, the teachers and the kids in my community,’ she said. ‘I can’t quit, I won’t quit and my team and I will continue to show up every day and fight to move the 82nd House District forward.

What made the difference? A $20,000 check from a far-left PAC.

Kimberly Pope Adams will stand strong for her district — as long as the money keeps flowing.

The choice this November is clear.

Meet the Democrats: Kimberly Pope Adams

Meet the Democrats: Karen Jenkins, HD 89

Aug 8, 2023 | Meet the Democrats, Uncategorized

Just who have Virginia Democrats nominated for the House this year? A motley collection of left-wing extremists far removed from the concerns of everyday Virginians.

Today’s Democrat is Karen Jenkins, HD 89.

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Should school systems be able to keep secrets from parents? Democrat Karen Jenkins thinks so. As a member of the Suffolk City School Board, Jenkins voted for a policy holding that if a student isn’t “ready” to share the fact that they’re transitioning genders with their parents, then school officials won’t tell parents.

Even worse, she voted to discuss the policy behind closed doors, in violation of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, and voted to censure a member who complained about the violation.

She then voted to limit discussion of the policy in public to two questions from each board member.

If keeping secrets from parents is a good policy, why hide discussion and limit debate?

The choice this November is clear.

House Republican Leaders Endorse Jed Arnold in August 29 Special Election

House Republican Leaders Endorse Jed Arnold in August 29 Special Election

Aug 5, 2023 | Press Releases, Uncategorized

Speaker Todd Gilbert, Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, Caucus Chair Amanda Batten, Majority Whip Michael Webert, and Deputy Majority Leader Israel O’Quinn issued the following statement:

“While the existing 6th District will expire in only a few months, we can think of no one better to hold that seat than our nominee for the new 46th District, which covers much of the same ground. Jed Arnold will be a strong ally for Southwest Virginia as Delegate for the 6th District until January, when he will become a great Delegate for the new 46th District, as he is unopposed in November. We are proud to endorse him, and encourage every voter in Caroll, Wythe, and parts of Smyth counties to vote for him in the August 29th Special Election.”

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