RICHMOND, Virginia – The General Assembly met briefly on Monday afternoon after Governor Glenn Youngkin recalled its members for a special session to complete and pass a budget compromise and finish other legislation. The legislators passed rules for the special session that allow them to adjourn until Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) or Senate Rules Committee Chair Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) recall the legislators with 48 hours’ notice. Then, since the budget compromise isn’t ready, the legislators adjourned.
“I was disappointed at the pace the work was going,” Youngkin told the media after a ceremonial bill signing on Monday morning. “I was disappointed there wasn’t more work last week. Everybody’s here today, and I expect them to get to work today. And I know that there are meetings that can be held, and should be held, and will be held. So it’s important to go ahead and get people back to work, and I think calling them back to special session is an important motivator to do that.”
Youngkin was criticized by Democrats for recalling the legislators before money conferees finalized a budget compromise.
“There was no reason for Governor Youngkin to call a special session today as budget negotiations continue,” House Minority Leader Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) said in a press release Monday. “I strongly suggest the governor respect the process and the responsibility of the budget conferees to find common ground on the budget.”
Last Wednesday, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that money conferees hadn’t met since the end of the regular session.
“We are talking a little bit, back and forth,” House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach) said on the House floor Monday.
“We’re not as far apart as you might read in the paper,” he said.
“They talked about talking today, so our budget negotiators are here and ready to meet today, if the Senate wants to meet, if they’re going to agree to that,” Gilbert told The Star.
Gas Tax Suspension
After the end of the regular session, Youngkin reacted to rising gas prices by calling for a three-month gas tax suspension. Youngkin announced Monday that Delegate Tara Durant (R-Stafford) and Senator Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) will carry that legislation.
In the Senate, Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) proposed an amendment to the rules for the special session limiting what kinds of legislation could be considered. Newman and Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) objected to the amendment, worrying that it was an effort by Democrats to block the legislature from hearing Youngkin’s gas tax bill. Surovell withdrew his amendment.
House Republicans and Youngkin are still pushing their budget proposal, which includes significant tax relief including refunds and cuts.
“Virginians need tax relief and it’s time for the General Assembly to act on the multiple tax relief proposals. With gas prices and inflation squeezing families’ pocketbooks across Virginia and the nation and with over $1 billion in unanticipated revenue in our transportation fund, the General Assembly must act now. Virginia should join numerous other states, led by both Republicans and Democrats, in temporarily suspending the gas tax. Actions speak louder than words, we can lower gas prices now for all Virginians,” Youngkin said in a Monday afternoon press release announcing the gas tax suspension legislation.
In a press conference, Democratic senators said they were concerned that the gas tax suspension wouldn’t be as helpful to Virginians as Youngkin suggests.
“We’re more interested in finding direct dollars that go back to Virginians and not gimmicky cuts that, you know, frankly, out-of-staters that travel to Virginia would receive,” Senator Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William) said.
McPike is vice chair of policy for Senate Democrats. He summarized the key points of the Senate budget proposal, including over $270 million for K-12 support positions, and a 10 percent pay raise for teachers.
“This whole debate is over tax and spending, how deep are we going to make the tax cuts? What are we going to protect in terms of investments? I believe that the Senate budget is future oriented,” State Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) said.
Pressure to Complete the Budget
The current fiscal year ends on June 30, giving legislators a hard deadline to finish the budget. Multiple legislators said it won’t take that long to reach a compromise due to pressure from localities.
Gilbert wouldn’t say when he thought a compromise would be reached. “We’re always in danger of, you know, when we leave session without finishing our work, of running into some painful decision points, especially for localities that are trying to prepare their own budgets.”
House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore (R-Scott) said the legislators will probably return to the capitol after Easter.
“We’ll get there [to a compromise] before July 1,” Kilgore told The Star. “We do not want to push it that far, because then your localities would be panicking with the budget.”
He said, “We have a duty to get out there and do it, and we’re not that far apart.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo by Eric Burk.
