Governor Youngkin Continues to Pursue Bipartisan Consensus in Monumental Opportunity for Virginia

ICYMI: Since the day Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a partnership to bring tens of thousands of jobs, billions in economic impact, and two professional sports teams to Virginia, he has remained committed to working across the aisle to pursue bipartisan goals in this monumental opportunity. 

After the House of Delegates voted in bipartisan fashion to advance the sports authority legislation, Youngkin said:

“I'm encouraged by the continued bipartisan support for the one-of-a-kind economic development opportunity in Virginia that represents 30,000 jobs and $12 billion in new economic activity for the Commonwealth. Following the MEI Commission’s unanimous approval in December, the bipartisan vote in committee, and today's bipartisan support on the House floor, the more decision-makers learn about this project, the more they realize that the positive impact reaches all corners of the Commonwealth.”

Youngkin also stressed what he has said from the beginning – that he shares the determination of leaders in the General Assembly to achieve bipartisan objectives that will be supported by this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: 

“From toll relief in Hampton Roads to WMATA investments in Northern Virginia, from education investments in rural and urban school divisions to critical transportation arteries like I-81, Virginians know the revenues from this project will be felt in their communities. I’ve appreciated the deep engagement with legislators and their staff this week and we will continue to inform these discussions as the process moves forward.”

This bipartisan sentiment is not new. It is the sentiment Youngkin has stated from the outset of the General Assembly session. Youngkin has stated repeatedly and clearly that he is eager and willing to work across the aisle on mutual goals – whether that is providing toll relief, supporting critical projects for I-81, strengthening the Metro, or providing needed funding for education across the Commonwealth. 

Toll Relief 

As WAVY reported in early January in their story, ‘Committed to delivering something’: Youngkin seems agreeable to toll relief,  Governor Youngkin said “I’ve had a constructive discussion with Sen. Lucas, and I understand the challenges of the tolls, particularly through the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels. I think we can work constructively to work towards an agreement. … I am committed to delivering something.”

I-81

As Cardinal News reported in December, after the partnership with Monumental Sports and Entertainment was announced, Youngkin released a budget that “asks for $70 million in one-time general fund support to accelerate the I-81 northbound lane widening project from mile marker 116 to 128 in the Salem district.”

Strengthening Metro

As the Washington Post reported last month in their story, Youngkin signals support for Metro boost as Democrats file arena bills, Youngkin said that “There is a mutual commitment to collaborate together on a solution to WMATA’s short-term funding needs as part of this discussion to deliver a world-class transportation system.”

Democrat Majority Leader Scott Surovell echoed Youngkin’s comments in the same story, saying “The governor and all of us recognize how critical Metro is not just to the Northern Virginia economy, but the economy of the entire state... He promised to work carefully with myself and chairman Torian to solve this problem this session, solve at least the next two years this session.”

Governor Youngkin reiterated that commitment last week, after meeting with WMATA leadership, saying “Metro is a vital asset. We’re working with them on the current funding gap and they will be held accountable for delivering.”

Education Funding

As Governor Youngkin stated in his State of the Commonwealth in January: “I have proposed – again - the largest education budget in Virginia’s history. $20.2 billion dollars over the biennium.”

Governor Youngkin is committed to delivering needed education funding across the Commonwealth, funding which will be supported by the monumental opportunity in Alexandria. As Heywood Fralin and Nancy Agee wrote in Cardinal News last week, “with additional money pouring into Alexandria for education — $31 million in the first phase of the project — the commonwealth will have the budget flexibility and additional revenue to allocate education funding elsewhere, like Southwest schools desperately in need of it.”

Governor Youngkin has remained committed to working across the aisle since day one, both on this partnership and other bipartisan goals. As the Washington Post reported in their January story, Youngkin’s focus on Virginia wins praise from unlikely source: Democrats, Youngkin said of the General Assembly:

“It’s a happy building, and there’s a lot of good, constructive discussions going on. … We’re talking about important things that we can go work on together.”

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