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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Dec. 17, 2024:
Youngkin takes aim at tax on tips in latest budget proposal
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil and Patrick Larsen
Gov. Glenn Youngkin wants to eliminate taxes on tips, he said Monday at McLean’s Restaurant in Richmond. It’s the first of what the Republican governor said would be “a broad range of tax relief” in amendments he’ll propose to Virginia’s two-year budget on Wednesday.
The proposal would cost $70 million and benefit about 250,000 Virginians, the governor’s office said in a press release. It would apply to both cash tips and tips paid electronically. Eligible workers in the hospitality, and food and personal service industries would claim it through a deduction on their state tax returns.
After the announcement, Youngkin and several Republican lawmakers — including Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Republican frontrunner for the GOP’s gubernatorial nomination — donned aprons and waited tables.
“Any idea that's going to put money back into the pockets of hard work of Virginians, we're going to strongly consider and take a look at it,” said House Speaker Don Scott (D–Portsmouth) Monday afternoon. “We just want to make sure that we're not just doing things for the front page of the paper, but we're doing things that are responsible.”
Va. Democrats to press cannabis market bills in 2025
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
State Sen. Aaron Rouse (D–Virginia Beach) and Del. Paul Krizek (D–Fairfax) are set to revive their legal retail cannabis marketplace bills for the 2025 General Assembly session, which begins Jan. 8. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the same legislation during this year’s session.
The Democrats expect another veto if the measure passes the Democratic-controlled legislature — which Youngkin’s office confirmed — but say establishing a regulated marijuana market would help address public safety concerns they share with the governor.
“Even though it's highly unlikely the governor will not veto the bill, I don't think we should give him a free pass, and I think it's too important for the commonwealth,” Krizek said.
When asked for comment on a possible veto, Youngkin’s press secretary, Christian Martinez, responded via text: “I think you can cite the fact that time and time again he has been very clear on that.”
In other news:
- New Virginia investigator to streamline complaint filing for incarcerated people and their families (Virginia Mercury)
In case you missed it:
- Fifeville residents want city leaders to ‘find another neighborhood’ for a low barrier shelter (Charlottesville Tomorrow)
- Bobby Scott explores Virginia gubernatorial run (Punchbowl News)
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