Gov. Glenn Youngkin leaves with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears after gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin began rolling out his actions on this year’s statehouse legislation with signatures on economic development bills, combining the announcement with messaging aimed at those concerned with threats to jobs posed by changes by the federal government.
“Job loss is real. It's hard, and that's why, at a time where we are going to see some job loss in Virginia, we are able to meet that loss with strength,” Youngkin said Tuesday at an event before press and staff.
He also said he would be proposing incremental funding in his budget amendments to business ready sites. The budget being considered by the governor has an additional $20 million for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program that he — and the House of Delegates — had proposed.
Youngkin repeated a message from an event in Virginia Beach on Tuesday: that Virginia would see job loss, which he was empathic towards, but Virginia’s economy has jobs to offer many of those workers.
Shaban Athuman
/
VPM News
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield gives remarks to members of the press on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
“Of course, someone who loses their job in the federal government may not match perfectly to a job opportunity, and I recognize that,” he said “That is part of what's causing, I think, some real concern and anxiety on behalf of some of the federal workforce.”
Speaking to reporters after the event, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D–Chesterfield) said voters are telling her that they have concerns about cuts in the federal workforce and affordability issues facing workers.
“They're concerned about the lack of affordable housing, the lack of effective public transportation, and the very limited access to high-quality child care, those are the issues that are facing working families, and the governor never speaks to those concerns,” she said.
Youngkin went into the week having vetoed 242 bills during his term, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project, which said it was a record amount. He still has over 800 bills to consider.
“There are a lot of familiar bills that I'll be vetoing, and there are a lot of bills that I'm trying to work to make better,” said Youngkin.
Much of the legislation going to Youngkin is a second attempt by a Democratic-controlled General Assembly to pass its priorities: legal protections for abortion and contraception access, a higher minimum wage, new firearm regulations and expanded access for labor organizing.
The deadline for Youngkin to veto, sign, or amend bills is Monday. The legislature will consider his actions on April 2.
1 of 15 — Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears gives remarks at a podium
Flanked by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Labor George "Bryan" Slater Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears gives remarks touting Virginia’s job growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
2 of 15 — Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears gives remarks at a podium
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears gives remarks touting Virginia’s job growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
3 of 15 — Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears gives remarks at a podium as Gov. Youngkin looks on
Gov. Glenn Youngkin looks on as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears gives remarks touting Virginia’s job growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
4 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Flanked by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Secretary of Labor George "Bryan" Slater Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
5 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
6 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
7 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
8 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin leaves followed by Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears
Gov. Glenn Youngkin leaves with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears after gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
9 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
10 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives gives remarks to members of the press after a press conference touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
11 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives gives remarks to members of the press after a press conference touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
12 of 15 — Secretary of Labor Slater looks on as Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Secretary of Labor George "Bryan" Slater looks on as Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives gives remarks to members of the press after a press conference touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
13 of 15 — Gov. Youngkin gives remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives gives remarks to members of the press after a press conference touting Virginia’s employment growth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
14 of 15 — Sec. Slater gives remarks to members of the media
Secretary of Labor George "Bryan" Slater gives remarks to the press following a press conference on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
15 of 15 — Sen. Hashmi gives remarks
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield gives remarks to members of the press on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia.
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