2023 was another momentous year in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We broke records in job growth, tax relief, and investments for our students, teachers, and behavioral health. We welcomed new businesses and professional sports teams to Virginia. We recognized Virginians making a difference in their communities and lifted up communities to reach their full potential. And we represented the Spirit of Virginia abroad to further our prosperity here at home. 

We had a lot of fun along the way, too, and look forward to what is ahead in 2024. 

Here are our Top Moments from 2023 (in no particular order)!

“Virginia is the best place to live, work, raise a family, and soon watch a basketball or hockey game.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin.

In December, Governor Youngkin announced a $2 billion public-private partnership to create a world-class Entertainment District in the City of Alexandria at Potomac Yard. This new 9 million-square-foot district developed by JBG SMITH will feature the global corporate headquarters for Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), an industry-leading Arena for both the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, a state-of-the-art Monumental Sports Network media studio, the Wizards practice facility, a performing arts venue, and an expanded esports facility, in addition to bringing new retail, residential, restaurants, hotels, conference, and community gathering spaces. The Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this was truly a monumental announcement.

“The Commonwealth remains a state where your government understands that we work for you. That means that you keep more of your hard-earned money because it’s yours, not the government’s.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In September, Governor Youngkin signed a budget that included, among many things, $1 billion in tax relief for hardworking Virginians. That is on top of the historic $4 billion in relief signed into law last year, bringing the total to $5 billion in tax relief Youngkin has delivered in less than two years. That’s $2,200 in tax relief to a typical Virginia family since the start of Youngkin’s administration. We have nearly doubled the standard deduction, primarily helping lower-and middle-class families, increasing the deduction to $8,500 for single filers and $17,000 for those filing jointly. And we eliminated the age restrictions on tax relief for our military retirees so Virginia remains the best place to live and retire for the men and women who have served our country. 

“We are blessed that Virginia is home to so many heroes who bravely answered the call to serve our country in uniform. May we never forget to pause and reflect on the noble sacrifices of our veterans, the men and women currently serving, and those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms.” -  Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Governor Youngkin knows that we can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to the men and women who have served our country in uniform and their families. But he remains committed to ensuring Virginia is the best place to live, work, and raise a family for our veterans, service members, and their families. That’s why he signed legislation into law this year to improve benefits for our veterans, those currently serving in the military, and their spouses. 

In June, Youngkin visited the American Cemetery in Normandy to pay formal respects to the brave Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

“This new surge of energy that tells us that our future is unbounded and unlimited - this is the new Petersburg that we know Petersburg should be. And, so, when people ask me why are we here? I repeat boldly because Petersburg matters.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In September, Governor Youngkin celebrated the significant shift in Petersburg one year after he and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin launched the Partnership for Petersburg. The Partnership for Petersburg has transformed communities and improved the lives of many. The Governor and First Lady are proud to support the people of Petersburg and look forward to celebrating the next year of opportunity and success. 

“When we acknowledge that we live in a world where there is hate, and where that hate is translated into despicable actions, we can stand up together and say there is no room for that. When we clearly define hatred, as this bill does, then we can transform for the good and build a better future.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In May, Governor Youngkin signed into law legislation to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism. This definition will be used as a tool and guide to identify instances of antisemitism and train first responders, educators, and other public servants how to respond to antisemitism and prevent hate crimes from happening.  

In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, Governor Youngkin reaffirmed his commitment to stand with Israel and the entire Jewish community. 

“There’s nothing more important than getting the people that we love the right help, right now.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In December, Governor Youngkin recognized the one-year anniversary of the Right Help, Right Now initiative that is transforming Virginia’s behavioral health system. The budget Youngkin signed into law in September included critical funding for expanding crisis receiving centers and stabilization units, reinforcing and expanding mobile crisis teams across the entire Commonwealth, expanding our investment in hospital-based psychiatric alternatives, and building our behavioral health care workforce. On the one-year anniversary of the initiative, Youngkin announced $500 million in new proposed funding and a Youth Mental Health strategy that addresses the youth mental health crisis in Virginia, with new legislation to restrict access to TikTok for children under the age of 18.

“We have more people working in the Commonwealth of Virginia than ever in the history of the Commonwealth. Companies are coming. Businesses are coming. Virginia is on the move.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, Virginia’s workforce is stronger than ever. Over 230,000 more Virginians are working today compared to when Youngkin took office. More Virginians are working than ever before in the history of the Commonwealth. The labor force participation rate increased to 66.9 percent in November 2023, which is the highest labor force participation rate experienced in Virginia since March 2012. Governor Youngkin’s pro-growth policies have made Virginia a better place to do business, with iconic American companies bringing their businesses and the jobs that come with them to the Commonwealth. 

“Building Blocks for Virginia Families will ensure families can choose the early option that best supports their children in their most formative years and enter school ready to learn.” - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In December, Governor Youngkin launched Building Blocks for Virginia Families to ensure families can choose the early childhood education option that best supports their children in their most formative years and enter school ready to learn. Through Building Blocks for Virginia Families, every eligible child will be able to continue to access high quality options that meet their family’s specific childcare needs and Virginia will remain the national leader in innovative approaches to quality early education and childcare.

This year, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin recognized six organizations with the Spirit of Virginia Award. The Spirit of Virginia Award recognizes unique qualities and standout achievements across the Commonwealth and salutes Virginians for their uncommon contributions in private industries, education, culture, the arts, and philanthropy.

The 2023 Spirit of Virginia Award Recipients include:

February 2023 - Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation

April 2023 - Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates

July 2023 - Virginia Space Flight Academy

September 2023 - Boulder Crest Foundation

October 2023 - Wildlife Foundation of Virginia

November 2023 - God's Pit Crew

“Attendance. Literacy. Learning. I challenge all of us to work together with urgency to create a brighter future and deliver the education our students in the Commonwealth were deprived of for far too long."  - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In September, Governor Youngkin launched a comprehensive plan to recover pandemic-related learning loss for Virginia’s students - the ALL in Virginia plan. In December, Governor Youngkin announced that all 131 Virginia school divisions have finalized their ALL in VA plans to address significant learning loss through free high-intensity tutoring, literacy education, and measures to promote school attendance.

“Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea represent critical markets that will advance economic growth and prosperity in Virginia. In strengthening these relationships, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to our allies but also strengthening the spirit of Virginia and America.”  - Governor Glenn Youngkin

In April, Governor Youngkin led his first international trade mission to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Governor Youngkin met with the President of Taiwan, government officials, and business leaders to further strengthen Virginia’s economic and cultural connections to the region. 

Youngkin also signed an executive order creating a Virginia-Taiwan trade office in Taipei, and pledged to build a deep and lasting partnership with Taiwan. 

In October, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin broke ground on the new Regional Workforce and Childcare Development Hub in Southwest Virginia. This $25 million public-private partnership will transform a former Kmart space into an 87,000-square-foot developmental space. It will provide a reliable childcare center that can admit up to 300 children, offer career exploration opportunities, and additional skills-based training for the next generation of the workforce. Expected to touch the lives of 30,000 K-12 students in Southwest Virginia, attract new employers, and help retain current residents, this building will aid in addressing many of the barriers to economic and career growth that rural Virginia faces.

Throughout this year, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin were honored to host thousands of Virginians at the Executive Mansion. Whether it was the Art Experience, holiday celebrations, the Secretariat monument unveiling, Women’s History Month, Boots on the Square, and so much more, the Executive Mansion was filled with fun, excitement, and memorable moments in 2023. This year was another reminder of the Executive Mansion’s vital role in projecting our Commonwealth’s past, present, and future. 

Governor Youngkin had a lot of fun with his March Madness picks this year, bringing in college mascots from around Virginia for a promo video of the annual collegiate basketball tournament. Governor Youngkin, a former basketball player, was joined in the video by Norfolk State University's Spiro the Spartan, James Madison University's Duke Dog, Virginia Commonwealth University's Rodney the Ram, and University of Virginia's Cav Man.

Happy New Year!

Team Youngkin

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