(AP)- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed a new state budget Wednesday that would lower income taxes and raise the state’s sales tax in an effort to stabilize revenues and allow Virginians “to keep more of their hard-earned money.”
Youngkin’s plan for the next two fiscal years also would expand the sales tax to include digital services, such as downloading music, that are already taxed in other states. He described the plan as “closing the big-tech tax loophole.”
“Virginia has always taxed goods,” Youngkin said. “And over the last decade, the definition of goods has evolved into new economy goods like software packages, digital downloads, streaming music and videos, cloud storage and other electronic media, on which today Virginia collects nothing.”
The Republican governor introduced his budget proposal to a joint committee of lawmakers in Virginia’s House and Senate. The plan serves as a starting point for negotiations when the General Assembly convenes in January under a Democratic majority.
Democrats swept November’s legislative elections on a campaign of protecting abortion rights, flipping the House and maintaining a Senate majority after two years of divided power. Democrats will have greater leeway to thwart Youngkin’s policy agenda. But they also must work with him to advance their own goals.
Youngkin campaigned in 2021 on a promise of cutting taxes, and previously signed about $4 billion in tax relief into law in 2022. He said Wednesday that his proposals will help draw more people and more jobs to the state, while dissuading Virginians from moving away.
“Our neighbors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida have been growing rapidly,” Youngkin said. “Americans and Virginians were choosing to go there instead of here. Each of these states had lower taxes or had started their journey to lower taxes.”
The governor said his proposed budget would cut state income taxes by 12% “across the board.” For example, he said the lowest tax bracket of 2% would be reduced to 1.75%, while the highest bracket would drop from 5.75% to 5.1%.
Youngkin said the personal income tax burden on Virginians would fall by $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2025 and $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2026.
The cuts would be offset, the governor said, by a 0.9% increase in the state sales tax, from 4.3% to 5.2%. Revenue also would come in from the sales tax expansion to digital services. He stressed that the state would not tax traditional services, such as those provided by barbers or lawn care businesses.
The governor’s budget also would invest more in workforce training, job recruitment and education, including bonuses and raises for teachers.
Youngkin’s plan calls for his previously announced increase in state spending on early learning and child care initiatives. The budget also would pump more money into a program aimed at overhauling the state’s mental health care system, in part by expanding crisis services and tackling substance abuse challenges.
About $500 million is slated for environmental and conservation programs, including efforts to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and to help the coastal city of Norfolk build a flood wall.
Youngkin said more should be done to combat the rise in antisemitism and other forms of religious bigotry. His budget proposes $375,000 for the Virginia Holocaust Museum, while providing security grants to synagogues, churches, mosques and temples.
“I know we all agree: There is no place for hate in the Commonwealth of Virginia and we must fight it together,” Youngkin said.