Republican Glenn Youngkin on Monday offered a glimpse into how he would wield the power of the governor\u2019s office if elected, leading with a bevy of tax cuts he says the state\u2019s government can shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan, which Youngkin formally unveiled during a campaign stop in Fairfax, includes doing away with the state\u2019s 2.5% sales tax on groceries and suspending the recent increase to the state\u2019s gasoline tax. Youngkin is also proposing to double the standard deduction in the state\u2019s income tax, staying mum on an earlier proposal to do away with it altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin\u2019s campaign pitched the plan as the Republican\u2019s \u201cDay One Game Plan,\u201d though many of Youngkin\u2019s goals would require the backing of the legislature, now controlled by Democrats. All 100 House seats are up for election this November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with tax cuts, Youngkin is also calling for heavy investments in the state\u2019s mental health system, the motor vehicles department and the agency that handles unemployment benefits. Youngkin\u2019s plan would also offer raises for state law enforcement officials and expand the number of public charter schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll waste no time getting started, not one second. This starts with our day one agenda,\u201d Youngkin said before a crowd gathered at a construction contracting business in Fairfax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin, a former private equity executive, has leaned on his business acumen in his pitch for governor. He has faced criticism for not publicizing clear governing plans or policy stances, calling into question whether he\u2019s equipped to govern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin is facing off against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the popular former governor, in a state that has increasingly tended to favor Democrats over the past decade. McAuliffe, who is steeped in the inner workings of the state, has released a number of policy plans going back to his party\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McAuliffe\u2019s campaign on Monday derided Youngkin\u2019s governing plans: \u201cAll of Glenn Youngkin\u2019s Trumpian tax plans have one thing in common: they would lead to drastic cuts to public education and drive Virginia\u2019s economy into a ditch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All in all, Youngkin\u2019s plan calls for about $1.5 billion in recurring tax cuts, and close to $2 billion in one-time tax cuts, which campaign aides said the state can shoulder thanks to its high revenue surplus, which they expect to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Fairfax, Youngkin criticized the state\u2019s so-called grocery tax, which applies to food and personal hygiene products. He also railed against the Northam administration\u2019s gas tax hike, which state officials said would help shore up the funds that pay for roads, transit and rail projects after years of low gas prices and the proliferation of electric vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is absolutely too darn expensive to live in Virginia. The liberal left keeps piling on costs,\u201d Youngkin said Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If elected governor, Youngkin\u2019s tax agenda also includes requiring local governments to issue referendums to collect more in property taxes. An aide to the campaign said the candidate wants to end \u201crunaway property tax increases\u201d faced by homeowners when their homes\u2019 values are assessed to be higher and local municipalities move to keep the tax rate the same, effectively raising the amount the homeowners pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Youngkin\u2019s tax agenda doesn\u2019t do away with the state\u2019s income tax as he had previously suggested \u2014 an idea that faced criticism over the hit it could cause the state\u2019s budget \u2014 he is also proposing to offer Virginians a one-time tax rebate of $600 per household or $300 per individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As he\u2019s proposing large tax cuts, Youngkin is also vowing to improve the way state agencies and services function, namely the state\u2019s behavioral health system, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Employment Commission. Youngkin said he wants to make them more \u201ccustomer service-oriented.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin has leaned on conservative fury over the teaching of \u201ccritical race theory\u201d \u2014 the notion that the harms of racism are widespread and systemic \u2014 throughout his campaign. On Monday, aides to Youngkin said he fully planned to use the power of the governorship to influence school curricula as part of his \u201cDay One Game Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youngkin plans to name a full cadre of education officials \u2014 from the secretary of education to board of education members \u2014 who will prioritize addressing Youngkin\u2019s criticisms that many schools teach history with a political agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As it related to education, Youngkin reiterated a plan unveiled earlier this summer to launch 20 new schools that would be funded by the state government but operated through partnerships with private entities. These types of schools, known as charter schools, have a small footprint in Virginia compared to states like Florida and California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginians will elect a new governor in November. Also on the ballot are the jobs of lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The House is currently controlled by Democrats, who have a 55-45 seat majority. Democrats\u2019 majority in the Senate is a slim 21-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of Youngkin\u2019s plans will require the support of both legislative chambers. Asked about the fate of those plans in the face of Democratic control of both or one of the chambers, campaign aides said Youngkin was planning proactive outreach to General Assembly members across the aisle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Republican Glenn Youngkin on Monday offered a glimpse into how he would wield the power