State and National Government
ARPA funds have brought nearly 20 new affordable housing properties to Roanoke City. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has more $2.6-million-dollar grant that helped Habitat for Humanity help aspiring journeymen and homeowner’s alike:
Is the government shutdown a message to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy? Some in his own party have not minced words, but WFIR’s Ian Price reports that one of our lawmakers isn’t ready to throw McCarthy under the bus just yet.
The House and US Senate have a week from tomorrow to pass the spending bills agreed to in June for the new fiscal year. If not – or unless a short-term continuing resolution is passed to pay the bills – the Federal government could partially shutdown. What Virginia’s US Senators are saying, from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Virginia now has a revised budget in place for the fiscal year that started July 1st. The General Assembly gave final approval Wednesday, ending a contentious process ahead of November’s elections. Among many other things, the new budget includes pay increases for state employees, teachers and law enforcement personnel along with increased spending for education. The package also provides for tax breaks. One of them is this year only — a $200 income tax rebate for single filers, $400 for those filing jointly. And starting with next year’s returns, there is an increase in the standard deduction to $8,500 for single filers and $17,000 for married couples’ returns. The budget now goes to Governor Youngkin for his signature. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Virginia lawmakers now have a tentative budget agreement to vote on. Conferees from the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and Democratic-controlled State Senate have reached a deal. Officials say it includes a one-time tax rebate and an increase in standard deductions. A vote is needed in a special session, one that is not yet scheduled.
NEWS RELEASE: We are pleased to announce that we have a budget deal between the House and Senate budget conferees. While the major components have been agreed to, our conferees and staff will be completing the final touches in the days to come.
The deal is one that provides Virginians with additional tax relief and unprecedented investments in education, natural resources, and behavioral health. It is a win-win for the citizens of Virginia.
It includes a one-time tax rebate of $200 for individuals and $400 for joint-filers, increases the standard deduction ($8,500 for single-filers and $17,000 for joint-filers), removes the age requirement for the military retiree subtraction, and reinstates the sales tax holiday. Taken together, these actions provide relief to low- and middle-income Virginia citizens and Virginia businesses.
We also prioritized investments in education at all levels to ensure that our students recover from pandemic learning loss and are workforce ready. In higher education, we are providing additional operating support to maintain college affordability and increased financial aid to ensure access is not limited due to family income.
We were able to negotiate these investments while maintaining an eye on Virginia’s continued budgetary integrity. Virginia remains in a strong fiscal position based on these actions, which will continue to protect our triple-AAA bond rating.
While the negotiations have been deliberate and extended, we are very pleased that the outcome is both fair and balanced toward the priorities of the House and Senate. In an era when partisanship often prevails, the negotiations were cordial and respectful.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our dedicated conferees and talented staff.
Karen Hult (VT photo)
The Presidential primaries don’t get underway until early 2024 but the Republican party has a crowded field of contenders and many have qualified for the first televised debate tonight. A local analyst offers her preview; more from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
A Virginia Tech professor of sociology gives an idea of how the community could respond to the wildfires that decimated Maui. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details:
Karen Hult-VT photo
Indicted again – for a fourth time. Former President Donald Trump still leads the early polls when it comes to the 2024 Republican nominee – but could the charges handed down against him and 18 others in Atlanta this week turn the tide? A political science expert from Virginia Tech ponders that question, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
MGN
Election day is more than 2 1/2 months away, but early voting in Virginia begins September 22 — five weeks from this Friday. It comes as a national debate continues over exactly how should we be able to vote ahead of the traditional day to cast ballots. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more: