Youngkin proposes tax relief on tips and cars in his adjusted Virginia budget plan

abcnews.go.com:

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed a state budget plan on Wednesday that would permanently give tax relief on tips and cars, measures that his Republican administration has said would give money back to middle- and lower-income workers

RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed a state budget plan on Wednesday to provide tax relief on tips and cars, measures his Republican administration touted as giving money back to middle- and lower-income workers.

The proposal, which would amend the final year of the state's two-year budget cycle, also seeks to boost funding for schools, maternal health and disaster relief. An adviser for Youngkin said ahead of his speech that the proposed adjustments are fueled by surplus funds coming out of fiscal year 2024.

“We reopened Virginia’s economy after a global pandemic, all while delivering surplus after surplus after surplus,” Youngkin said in a presentation to the General Assembly’s money committees. «And as a result of our work together, Virginia is growing, Virginia is leading and Virginia is winning.”

Budget plans introduced by governors typically undergo revisions by the money committees before lawmakers vote. And with Democrats poised to keep control of both General Assembly chambers after special elections in January, Youngkin's priorities may likely be contingent on bipartisanship.

Democratic House of Appropriations Chair Luke Torian said on Wednesday that none of Youngkin's proposed amendments were off the table, clarifying that the state had roughly $2 billion to $3 billion in surplus funds. He also said that the state would have to be strategic in its spending, particularly if its economy takes a dip in years to come.

“We’ll go over the governor’s presentation and