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New poll finds Virginia voters mixed on Gov. Youngkin’s tax proposals

Youngkin speaks with Richmond residents
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, prior to his inauguration in January, speaks with residents of an affordable housing complex in Richmond. (Photo Credit: Crixell Matthews / VPM)

This story was reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen and Sara McCloskey.  

A new poll of registered Virginia voters finds the electorate is mixed on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s approach to taxes.  

The Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University surveyed more than 700 registered voters for its State of the Commonwealth 2022 report, which was released on Monday. Respondents were asked questions on a range of Youngkin’s proposals, including his plans to leave the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as well as who should be required to follow pandemic-related state mandates. 

The Virginia General Assembly is currently working on the two-year state budget, which incorporates the governor’s recommendations for changing taxes.  

Although Youngkin's proposal to repeal the grocery tax is popular, most Virginians appear to want more state spending instead of lighter taxes, according to Wason’s poll. 

Nearly half of the survey’s respondents want the grocery tax to be fully repealed. On the same question, about a quarter say low-income Virginians should receive a tax credit. 

When it comes to Virginia’s multi-billion-dollar surplus, voters seem to disagree with the governor, who is pushing to double the standard deduction to lower individual tax burdens. 

Almost 60% of those polled said they want to see the surplus money spent on underfunded programs, such as education, public safety, and social services, rather than cutting taxes. 

Youngkin is the first Republican governor elected in Virginia in nearly a decade.  

Patrick Larsen is the environment and energy reporter for VPM News.