Local organizations are piecing together how the Governor’s recommendation could impact them.
RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Youngkin says his budget recommendation focuses on teacher bonuses, reimbursement for first responder transportation and adding money to reserve funds for the future.
Youngkin said earlier this week, “I have great confidence in our forecast.”
After almost a week running the numbers, Virginia House of Delegates Member Alex Askew, a Democrat who represents portions of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, says Governor Youngkin’s recommendations will hurt Virginians.
“I think these amendments truly fall short of ensuring Virginian families can really get ahead in this economy,” Askew said.
Askew also points to organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which gets students hands-on with the environment around them.
The foundation is just one recipient of the state’s environmental literacy funds, which could see cuts.
“Those students are really having those hands-on opportunities and I think with those funds we could expand these programs throughout the watershed,” Askew said.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Policy Manager, Jay Ford, says they’ve been pushing the state to add more funds to their cause.
“We felt it was a really modest increase to take this up by $500,000 to really start to grow capacity and the more schools and students you get out on the water, the more obvious it becomes what those benefits are,” Ford said.
Youngkin acknowledges his recommended budget cuts, but says they’re needed.
“Everyone around the table will need to take a little less than what they want but still there is a substantial increase in so many areas,” Youngkin said.
There will be a session to address Youngkin’s vetoes and budget recommendations on Wednesday.