Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin took a well-deserved victory lap this week, basking in the glory of guiding the Old Dominion’s budget to a $1 billion surplus. Like a fiscal rock star, Youngkin addressed the Commonwealth’s legislative committees, his confidence radiating through the room.
Youngkin kicked off his address by acknowledging the Democratic chairs: House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian of Prince William, House Finance Chair Vivian Watts of Fairfax, and Senate President L. Louise Lucas, the upper chamber’s finance chairwoman. A classy move from Glenn, proving that even in victory, he’s got more manners than a Southern cotillion.
“Our neighbors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida have been growing at a breakneck speed,” Youngkin pointed out. “Many Virginians were choosing to go there instead of here.” Well, knock me over with a feather! Who would’ve thought people prefer states that don’t treat their wallets like all-you-can-eat buffets?
Republican Success: A Tale of Two Economies
Most of the Republican-led states Youngkin mentioned have been surging ahead by slashing taxes and embracing fiscal responsibility. Meanwhile, Virginia, under Democratic leadership until Youngkin’s arrival, had been “falling behind.” It’s almost as if Democrats and economic growth go together like oil and water, or AOC and basic economics.
State Economic Performance Comparison
| State | GDP Growth | Job Growth | Tax Burden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (R) | ↑ 3.5% | ↑ 4.2% | ↓ 6.9% |
| Virginia (D until 2022) | ↑ 1.7% | ↑ 2.1% | ↑ 9.8% |
| Virginia (R since 2022) | ↑ 3.2% | ↑ 3.8% | ↓ 8.5% |
Data represents average annual figures for the respective periods. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tax Foundation
“Across the country today, there are winning states and losing states,” declared Youngkin. “States that are winning with job growth, population growth, opportunity growth – and others that are not.” And Virginia? Now firmly in the “winning” column, thanks to Youngkin. It’s like he found the cheat codes to the game of governance that Democrats have been fumbling with for years.
The Youngkin Playbook: Making Virginia Great Again
But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Ever since the end of Governor Robert McDonnell’s tenure—Virginia’s last Republican governor before Youngkin—things weren’t exactly coming up roses in the Commonwealth. It was more like a garden overrun with the weeds of Democratic policies.
Youngkin didn’t beat around the bush about tax relief being the golden ticket for job creation and business growth. “The playbook works,” he said. “We are demonstrating in Virginia that a state, once falling behind, can lead when we invest in tax relief and understand that money belongs to the people who work for it, not the government.” Now there’s a novel idea! Money belonging to the people who earn it? Someone alert the DNC, they might need smelling salts.
Under Youngkin’s guidance, Virginia has already delivered $5 billion in tax relief for its families, with plans to hit at least $8 billion by the end of his administration. Imagine that—letting hardworking Virginians keep more of their earnings. It’s almost as if he thinks citizens know how to spend their money better than bureaucrats do. The audacity!
Surplus Spending: A Lesson in Fiscal Responsibility
And what about that juicy $1 billion surplus? Youngkin plans to use it wisely, with improvements to the heavily trafficked Interstate 81—a vital artery for mid-continent commerce—being top of the list. Youngkin plans to see hundreds of millions pumped into this project. And let’s not forget about the $90 million earmarked for a Virginia military survivors and dependents fund. Now that’s money well spent, unlike, say, gender studies programs in Pakistan or research on shrimp on treadmills.
However, Youngkin reminds Virginians not to get too carried away with the newfound windfall. He warned against carelessly spending the surplus, cautioning that Virginia could very well fall into old habits if it’s not careful. It’s like he’s the responsible parent telling the kids not to blow their allowance all at once. Are you taking notes, Congress?
Kamala’s Comedy Hour: The Harris Administration’s Economic Follies
Now, let’s pivot to the Harris administration’s economic escapades. Take her proposal on food price controls, a greatest hits album of failed economic experiments from Nixon’s gas station queue chaos in the ’70s to Venezuela’s economic meltdown under Chavez. When history shows that price controls lead to shortages and black markets, you have to wonder if Harris is using an Ouija board for economic advice.
Youngkin’s fiscal stewardship stands in stark contrast to the Biden-Harris economic playbook, which seems to be written in crayon and sticky notes. It’s like watching a master chef at work versus a toddler playing with an Easy-Bake Oven.
The Trump Legacy: A Blueprint for Success
Under President Trump, America signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, providing much-needed relief, and initiated Opportunity Zones, boosting investments in economically distressed areas, creating at least 500,000 new jobs. Compare that to Biden’s partisan agenda that promises unity but delivers division faster than you can say “Hunter Biden’s laptop,” and you’ll see why Youngkin’s results in Virginia look like a roadmap for future success across the nation.
Youngkin shines as a beacon of what true economic leadership can achieve, proving that smart fiscal policies and tax relief can transform a state from “falling behind” to leading the charge toward prosperity and growth. It’s like he’s playing 4D chess while the Democrats are still figuring out how to set up the checkers board.
Conclusion: The Virginia Miracle
In the end, Youngkin’s success in Virginia isn’t just a win for the Old Dominion—it’s a blueprint for conservative governance nationwide. It shows that with the right leadership, even a state that was circling the economic drain can become a powerhouse of growth and opportunity. As other states watch Virginia’s resurgence, one can’t help but wonder: how long before the rest of the country decides it’s time to trade in their donkeys for elephants?
So here’s to you, Governor Youngkin. Keep showing the nation how it’s done. And to the Democrats watching from the sidelines? Well, they might want to take notes… or maybe just start planning their retirement parties.
