By Madison Hirneisen

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Today, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order #24, banning the use of certain Chinese-owned mobile phone applications and websites on state government technology.

The Executive Order bans TikTok and WeChat, and any other applications developed by ByteDance Limited or Tencent Holdings Limited on state government devices and wireless (WIFI) networks and requires businesses who contract with the state government to also prohibit the use of those applications on state-owned devices or IT infrastructure. The Executive Order applies to all Executive Offices and Executive Branch Agencies.

“TikTok and WeChat data are a channel to the Chinese Communist Party, and their continued presence represents a threat to national security, the intelligence community, and the personal privacy of every single American,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are taking this step today to secure state government devices and wireless networks from the threat of infiltration and ensure that we safeguard the data and cybersecurity of state government.”

“All Americans must be vigilant to stop infiltration by the CCP and all hostile governments and entities who wish the United States harm,” said Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

“Not only does TikTok pose a threat to national security and consumer privacy, but studies have shown that it negatively impacts the mental health of our youth,”?said Attorney General Jason Miyares.?”In March, I joined a bipartisan coalition of 43 other attorneys general to investigate TikTok’s physical and mental impact on children. As this investigation continues, I am glad that Governor Youngkin is addressing the serious security risks TikTok poses for the Commonwealth.”

Executive Order #24 can be found here.

By Madison Hirneisen

(The Center Square) – Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed $1 billion in tax cuts as part of a list of updates he wants to make to the state’s two-year budget, which includes amendments to reduce Virginia’s corporate tax rate and individual income tax rate.

The proposed tax cuts come on top of $4 billion in tax relief included in the biennial state budget approved by the General Assembly and signed by Youngkin earlier this year. The governor touted his budget amendments to cut taxes as a way to compete with other states, such as Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, when it comes to business and personal income tax rates.

“Like business taxes, we must realize that people take into consideration what they pay in taxes when they decide where to live,” Youngkin said Thursday, listing several states with lower personal income tax rates than Virginia. “We must start walking down that same path – that same path to lower rates.”

“By setting ourselves on a committed path to an even lower rate, like Democrat-led North Carolina was able to do, we will send a clear signal to businesses that we want your jobs, and we are going to drive the Commonwealth economic engine even faster,” the governor added.

Youngkin’s proposal seeks to increase the standard income tax deduction to $9,000 for individuals and $18,000 for joint filers – fulfilling a campaign promise the governor made to double those amounts. The governor’s proposal also seeks to reduce the top personal income tax from 5.75% to 5.5%, which Youngkin estimates will save Virginians $700 million per year.

Youngkin also wants to decrease the corporate income tax rate from 6% to 5% – a move estimated to cost the state about $362 million in the current budget. The governor touted this a “first step toward an ultimate goal of 4% by the end of our administration.” The governor noted if his proposal is approved, Virginia’s business tax rate will be lower than Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

For small businesses, the governor’s proposed amendments would create a 10% deduction on business income, which is estimated to cost the state about $162 million.

Certain aspects of the tax plan – particularly, the reduction in the top individual income tax rate – are contingent on the state’s revenue position in the coming months. Youngkin acknowledged that several economic experts expect Virginia to “follow the national economy into a recession next year, and that recession will last at least six months.” If 2023 revenues come in below forecast, certain spending and tax reductions will be cut back.

In addition to the tax cuts, the governor’s budget amendments include $230 million for the state’s behavioral health system. The governor previewed this aspect of his amendments during an event in Richmond Wednesday, where he also unveiled his multi-year plan to reshape the state’s strained behavioral health system.

Youngkin also wants to see a package of $175 million included in the updated budget to pay bonuses to what he calls “quiet heroes” – teachers, nurses and law enforcement officers. For teachers in particular, Youngkin proposed 1% retention bonuses to be paid out in August and a $50 million program to reward $5,000 to teachers “based on merit.”

The governor’s amendments will be weighed by members of the House and Senate Money Committees when the Legislature convenes for its next session in mid-January.

The budget amendments were received with optimism by several Republican leaders in the House of Delegates Thursday.

“Governor Youngkin’s proposals will make Virginia more competitive on the national and international stage, and it will put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Virginia families who are struggling to deal with near record inflation,” House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R- Gate City, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, some aspects of the governor’s Thursday presentation received criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

“Youngkin speaking about the importance of teachers is the definition of irony,” Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, tweeted in reference to the governor’s past comments on K-12 education and his tip line for parents to report “divisive” practices in school. “It’s as if he hasn’t heard his own rhetoric for two years going back to his campaign.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed an executive order today that halts state agencies from collecting fines imposed onto businesses that violated guidelines laid out by his predecessor, Ralph Northam (D) during the pandemic shutdown.

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By Tyler Arnold

(THE CENTER SQUARE) – Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin developed a new energy plan, which he says would diversify the energy sector by tapping into nuclear energy, natural gas, renewables and other energy sources.

The idea received mixed reactions from lawmakers.

Youngkin’s plan diverges from former Gov. Ralph Northam who signed Democratic-passed legislation to gradually shut down carbon-emitting energy sources until they were eliminated by 2050. Although nuclear energy does not emit carbon and would be permissible under this law, the commonwealth has only moved forward with renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar, to meet these demands.

To date, the costs of the previous administration’s green energy policies have already yielded higher energy rates for consumers. Critics have warned of higher costs and potential energy blackouts and brownouts if the state moves to fully renewable energy, such as the ones faced in parts of California. Youngkin’s energy plan would still include green energy, but would not eliminate other sources of energy.

“A growing Virginia must have reliable, affordable and clean energy for Virginia’s families and businesses,” Youngkin said in a statement. “We need to shift to realistic and dynamic plans. The 2022 Energy Plan will meet the power demands of a growing economy and ensures Virginia has that reliable, affordable, clean and growing supply of power by embracing an all-of-the-above energy plan that includes natural gas, nuclear, renewables and the exploration of emerging sources to satisfy the growing needs of Commonwealth residents and businesses.”

According to the governor’s office, this plan would prioritize affordability, innovation, competition, environmental stewardship and reliability. The plan received mixed reactions from lawmakers with Republicans applauding the governor’s vision and Democrats expressing concern.

“I am thrilled that the 2022 Virginia Energy Plan recognizes Virginia’s unique nuclear advantage,” House Commerce and Energy Chair, Delegate Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg, said in a statement.

“Two of the nation’s largest nuclear manufacturing companies are located here in Lynchburg,” Byron continued. “They offer exciting opportunities to research and develop cutting-edge nuclear generation technologies that will create new, high-paying jobs in the Commonwealth while delivering reliable energy to Virginians. I am also glad Governor Youngkin’s plan includes actions to protect our natural resources, including farmland, rivers, and streams.”

Democrats argued the plan is scaling back the state’s fight against climate change.

“Since taking the majority in November of 2019, Senate Democrats have made great strides in fighting climate change and bringing Virginia closer to a cleaner economy,” a statement from the Senate Democratic Caucus read.

“Governor Youngkin’s proposed plan will undo the victories gained toward clean air and a cleaner environment by reassessing the Virginia Clean Economy Act,” the statement continued. “Yougkin’s 2022 Clean Energy plan is nothing more than an attack on all the progress made towards a cleaner Virginia. We need forward-thinking solutions to deliver on our promise of clean energy, not reverse the efforts made in hopes of scoring political points. Virginians need leadership from their Governor, not someone who plays political games with its people and the environment.”

Some of the governor’s plans will require action from the General Assembly. The House of Delegates has a narrow Republican majority, but the Senate has a slim Democratic majority.

Public universities in our area and across the state will freeze tuition costs at the request of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).

George Mason University was the last school of higher learning in Virginia to announce a tuition freeze after weeks of Younkin pushing schools across the state to leave costs flat amid rising inflation.

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Updated Noon -- Photos taken by a pilot of a helicopter used by Washington D.C.'s WRC-TV show hundreds walked out of schools today in Prince William County.

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