History of Glenn Youngkin in Timeline
"Glenn Allen Youngkin is the 74th governor of Virginia, serving since 2022. A Republican, he previously spent 25 years at private equity firm The Carlyle Group, culminating in his role as co-CEO from 2018 to 2020. He left this position to pursue his gubernatorial campaign."
December 9, 1966: Glenn Youngkin Born
On December 9, 1966, Glenn Allen Youngkin was born in Richmond, Virginia.
1985: Glenn Youngkin Graduates High School
Glenn Youngkin graduates from Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Virginia in 1985.
1985: Virginia Bar Association Begins Holding Gubernatorial Debates
The Virginia Bar Association began holding a gubernatorial debate every election year starting in 1985.
1990: Glenn Youngkin's First Job After College
Glenn Youngkin's first job after graduating from Rice University in 1990 was at the investment bank First Boston.
1990: Glenn Youngkin Graduates from Rice University
In 1990, Glenn Youngkin graduates from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts in managerial studies and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.
1992: Glenn Youngkin Leaves First Boston
Glenn Youngkin left First Boston, which had been bought out by Credit Suisse, in 1992 to pursue an MBA.
1994: Glenn Youngkin Earns MBA from Harvard
Glenn Youngkin earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Harvard Business School in 1994.
1994: Glenn Youngkin Joins McKinsey & Company
Glenn Youngkin joined the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company in 1994 after receiving his MBA.
August 1995: Glenn Youngkin Joins The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin joined The Carlyle Group in August 1995 as a member of the US buyout team.
1999: Glenn Youngkin Becomes Partner at The Carlyle Group
In 1999, Glenn Youngkin was named partner and managing director of The Carlyle Group.
2000: Glenn Youngkin Manages UK Buyout Team
From 2000 to 2005, Glenn Youngkin managed the UK Buyout team for The Carlyle Group.
2005: Two Major Events at The Carlyle Group for Glenn Youngkin
In 2005, Glenn Youngkin concluded his time managing the UK Buyout team and began managing the global industrial sector investment team at The Carlyle Group.
2006: Rejection of Cabinet Nominee
In 2006, Daniel G. LeBlanc, nominated by then-Governor Tim Kaine to be Secretary of the Commonwealth, was rejected by the Republican-controlled Virginia state legislature. This event marked a rare instance of a cabinet nominee failing to secure legislative approval.
2006: Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage
In 2006, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This amendment posed a challenge to the codification of same-sex marriage in Virginia law.
April 2008: Glenn Youngkin's Role Shifts at The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin was asked to shift his focus at The Carlyle Group from deal-making to the firm's broader strategy in April 2008.
2008: End of an Era for Glenn Youngkin at The Carlyle Group
In 2008, Glenn Youngkin finished his time managing the global industrial sector investment team at The Carlyle Group.
2009: Republican Drought in Virginia Elections
Before Youngkin's victory in 2021, Republicans in Virginia had not experienced a win in a statewide race since 2009, highlighting a significant period of Democratic dominance in the state's political landscape.
2009: Glenn Youngkin Joins Executive Committee
Glenn Youngkin and Daniel Akerson joined the executive committee of The Carlyle Group in 2009.
2009: Last Republican Governor of Virginia Before Youngkin
The last time a Republican governor was in office in Virginia before Youngkin was Bob McDonnell in 2009.
2010: Founding of Holy Trinity Church
After leaving St. John's Episcopal Church in McLean, Glenn Youngkin and his wife founded Holy Trinity Church in 2010. Initially meeting in their basement, the church, self-described as "non-denominational church with Anglican roots and a contemporary charismatic expression," is now located on property owned by a private foundation established by the Youngkins.
2010: Glenn Youngkin Becomes Interim CFO
Glenn Youngkin became interim CFO of The Carlyle Group in late 2010.
2010: Judy Woodruff's Donation
Judy Woodruff made a donation to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in 2010.
March 2011: Glenn Youngkin Becomes COO of The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin became chief operating officer of The Carlyle Group in March 2011.
June 2014: Glenn Youngkin Becomes co-President and COO of The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin became co-president and co-chief operating officer of The Carlyle Group in June 2014.
June 2014: Glenn Youngkin Concludes Time as COO
Glenn Youngkin concluded his time as COO of The Carlyle Group in June 2014.
2014: Terry McAuliffe's First Term as Governor of Virginia Begins
Terry McAuliffe's first term as governor of Virginia began in 2014.
May 2015: Glenn Youngkin Becomes Sole President and COO
After his co-president and COO, Michael J. Cavanagh, left The Carlyle Group, Glenn Youngkin took on the roles of president and COO in May 2015.
2016: "Beloved Bill" Vetoed
In 2016, former Governor McAuliffe vetoed the "Beloved Bill," which would have allowed parents to opt their children out of any educational material they found objectionable. This bill, sparked by a parent's objection to Toni Morrison's "Beloved" in their child's AP English class, became a focal point in the 2021 gubernatorial election.
October 2017: The Carlyle Group Announces Leadership Transition
The Carlyle Group announced that the founders would be stepping down as day-to-day leaders and that Glenn Youngkin and Kewsong Lee would be the new co-CEOs in October 2017.
2017: "Beloved Bill" Vetoed Again
In 2017, then-Governor McAuliffe again vetoed the "Beloved Bill." The bill, which would have allowed parents to opt their children out of any educational material they found objectionable, became a central issue in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race, highlighting the debate over parental control in education.
January 1, 2018: Glenn Youngkin Becomes co-CEO of The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin became co-CEO of The Carlyle Group alongside Kewsong Lee on January 1, 2018.
2018: Glenn Youngkin Donates to Ted Cruz's Re-Election Campaign
Glenn Youngkin donated to Ted Cruz's re-election campaign in 2018.
2018: Glenn Youngkin Becomes co-CEO of The Carlyle Group
In 2018, Glenn Youngkin became co-CEO of The Carlyle Group.
2018: Terry McAuliffe's First Term as Governor of Virginia Ends
Terry McAuliffe's first term as governor of Virginia ended in 2018.
2018: Death of Marcus-David Peters
This year marks the tragic death of Marcus-David Peters, an incident that sparked calls for changes in how law enforcement handles mental health crises. Peters, a biology teacher, was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was fatally shot by a Richmond police officer. This event highlighted the urgent need for alternative approaches to de-escalating such situations and involving mental health professionals.
July 2020: Glenn Youngkin Announces Retirement
Glenn Youngkin announced that he would be retiring from The Carlyle Group in July 2020.
September 2020: Glenn Youngkin Retires
Glenn Youngkin retired from The Carlyle Group at the end of September 2020.
2020: Campaigning and the 2020 Election
During the 2020 election cycle, Youngkin walked a fine line regarding the legitimacy of Joe Biden's victory. Initially hesitant to confirm the election's fairness, he later acknowledged Biden as the legitimate president. This period also saw Youngkin attract support from individuals who held controversial views on the 2020 election.
2020: Glenn Youngkin Resigns From The Carlyle Group
Glenn Youngkin resigned from his position at The Carlyle Group to run for governor of Virginia in 2020.
2020: Trump Makes False Claims About 2020 Election
In 2020, Donald Trump made unsubstantiated claims about the integrity of the U.S. presidential election. These claims were widely disputed and ultimately rejected by courts and election officials.
2020: Northam Administration Implements Transgender Student Protections
In 2020, the Northam administration implemented protections for transgender students in Virginia schools, mandating that school districts comply with model policies ensuring access to facilities and programs based on gender identity, and requiring the use of preferred names and pronouns.
2020: Northam Approves Expansion of Early Release Program
In 2020, then-Governor Ralph Northam approved legislation that broadened the scope of an early release program for inmates in Virginia. This expansion increased the cap on good behavior credits that most inmates could earn, potentially leading to reduced sentences. However, it's important to note that these expanded credits could not be used to shorten sentences for violent crimes, although they could be applied to reduce concurrent or consecutive sentences for nonviolent crimes if an inmate was serving time for both violent and non-violent offenses.
2020: State Law Mandates Protections for Transgender Students
In 2020, then-Governor Ralph Northam signed a state law requiring public schools in Virginia to adopt protections for transgender students. This law has been a point of contention, with critics like Youngkin arguing against it and his administration announcing plans to repeal these protections.
2020: Virginia Governor Northam Signs Transgender Student Protections Into Law
In 2020, then-Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill into law requiring school boards to adopt policies protecting transgender students from discrimination, bullying, and harassment, in line with evidence-based practices.
2020: George Floyd Protests and Initial Steps Towards Marcus Alert System
The year 2020 marked a turning point in the national conversation about police brutality and racial injustice, sparked by the death of George Floyd. These protests, coupled with the memory of Marcus-David Peters' tragic death in 2018, fueled the momentum for reforms in law enforcement and mental health crisis response. This period laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Marcus Alert system, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for more compassionate and effective approaches to mental health crises.
January 2021: Glenn Youngkin Announces Run for Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin announced that he would seek the Republican Party of Virginia's nomination for governor of Virginia in January 2021.
April 2021: Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative, proposed by the Northam administration, aimed to address the racial achievement gap and equip students with modern job skills. It sparked controversy, with critics, including Youngkin, characterizing it as "dumbing down standards" and eliminating advanced math classes, despite these claims being disputed by education officials and NPR. The initiative would have prioritized data science and analytics over calculus, while still allowing students to take calculus at an accelerated pace. Although there were discussions about detracking students prior to 11th grade, no plans were implemented.
May 10, 2021: Glenn Youngkin Wins Republican Nomination for Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin won the Republican nomination for Governor of Virginia on May 10, 2021.
July 12, 2021: Glenn Youngkin Declines Virginia Bar Association Debate
Glenn Youngkin declined to participate in the Virginia Bar Association debate on July 12, 2021.
July 2021: Youngkin's Comments on Abortion Spark Controversy
In July 2021, during his gubernatorial campaign, Youngkin's stance on abortion came under scrutiny after he was recorded suggesting he would take a more proactive stance against abortion rights if elected, while publicly downplaying the issue to avoid alienating moderate voters.
August 2021: Youngkin Proposes Tax Cut Plan During Gubernatorial Campaign
In August 2021, during his campaign for governor, Glenn Youngkin unveiled a series of tax cut proposals. The proposed cuts, which Youngkin suggested funding primarily through the state's budget surplus, included eliminating the grocery tax, pausing a gas tax increase, offering a one-time income tax rebate, doubling the standard income tax deduction, reducing the retirement tax on veterans' income, requiring voter approval for local property tax hikes, and implementing a tax holiday for small businesses.
September 2021: Youngkin's Net Worth and Campaign Contributions
As of September 2021, Youngkin possessed an estimated net worth of $440 million. He personally contributed $20 million to his gubernatorial campaign. Despite stating his intention to release summaries of his tax returns before the election, he did not do so until after winning. However, he has not made his complete tax returns public, and the summaries have not been independently verified.
November 2, 2021: Gubernatorial Election Victory
On November 2, 2021, Glenn Youngkin won the Virginia gubernatorial election against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, garnering 50.58% of the votes. This victory marked the first time a Republican won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009.
December 20, 2021: Cabinet Nominations Begin
Glenn Youngkin began announcing his nominations for his cabinet on December 20, 2021. The process, noted for its slow pace and lack of transparency, drew attention and speculation from political observers and the media.
2021: Glenn Youngkin Wins Republican Primary for Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin won the Republican primary for Governor of Virginia in 2021.
2021: Youngkin Unveils Education Platform Focused on Cultural Issues
In 2021, Youngkin's education platform, revealed later in the year compared to his opponent, prioritized cultural issues over budget details. It included proposals like increasing teacher salaries, improving school infrastructure, and expanding school choice programs, sparking debate about its impact on education spending in Virginia.
2021: Recommendation for Marijuana Possession Penalties
In 2021, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, a nonpartisan body of the Virginia state legislature, put forth a recommendation that influenced Youngkin's proposal to recriminalize possessing more than two ounces of marijuana. This recommendation highlighted the unique position of Virginia as the only state to have legalized marijuana possession without misdemeanor penalties for exceeding the legal limit.
2021: Partial Implementation and Criticism of Marcus Alert System Begins
In late 2021, some localities in Virginia started to put the Marcus Alert system into practice. However, its implementation was met with criticism from some, including Princess Blanding, Marcus Peters' sister, who argued that the system's rollout was too slow and did not adequately reduce the role of law enforcement in mental health crisis response.
2021: Discrepancy in Youngkin's Reported Height
Interestingly, there is a discrepancy in Youngkin's reported height. During his time as a college basketball player, his height was listed as 6 feet 7 inches. However, in 2021, he stated his height as 6 feet 5 inches.
2021: Princess Blanding Runs for Governor, Criticizing Marcus Alert System's Implementation
Motivated by her belief that the Marcus Alert system needed improvements, Princess Blanding, sister of Marcus-David Peters, entered the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race as an independent candidate. Blanding's candidacy centered on addressing systemic racism and advocating for police reform, using her platform to critique the existing implementation of the Marcus Alert system, which she believed did not go far enough in reducing law enforcement's role in mental health crisis response.
2021: "Beloved Bill" and the Gubernatorial Election
The "Beloved Bill," previously vetoed by McAuliffe in 2016 and 2017, became a central issue in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election. The bill, which would have given parents the right to opt their children out of educational materials they found objectionable, highlighted the ongoing debate over parental control in education and became a key campaign promise of Youngkin.
January 15, 2022: Inauguration as Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin was sworn in as the Governor of Virginia on January 15, 2022. His inauguration marked a historic moment as his running mates, Winsome Sears as Lieutenant Governor and Jason Miyares as Attorney General, became the first woman of color and first Latino, respectively, to hold statewide office in Virginia.
January 2022: Virginia Department of Health Ceases Contact Tracing for All COVID-19 Cases
In January 2022, under the leadership of Governor Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Department of Health decided to halt its efforts to contact trace every case of COVID-19. This decision was primarily driven by the challenges posed by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. By discontinuing universal contact tracing, the health department aimed to optimize its resources and prioritize responses to outbreaks, particularly in high-risk settings. Individuals who tested positive were encouraged to continue notifying their close contacts.
January 19, 2022: Final Cabinet Nomination and Chief Diversity Officer
On January 19, 2022, Glenn Youngkin finalized his cabinet appointments by naming Angela Sailor as the Chief Diversity Officer. This decision followed speculation about the position's future, which was established by his predecessor, Ralph Northam, in response to a scandal.
January 21, 2022: Youngkin Establishes Tipline for "Divisive Practices" in Schools
On January 21, 2022, as part of his executive order banning school mask mandates, Governor Youngkin announced an email tipline for parents to report "divisive practices" in Virginia schools.
February 3, 2022: Youngkin Administration Responds to Tipline Complaints, Raises Transparency Concerns
On February 3, 2022, the Youngkin administration confirmed it was "responding" to complaints received through the "divisive practices" tipline, but provided no details on the nature of the complaints or any actions taken. This lack of transparency sparked concerns and FOIA requests, which the administration denied.
February 16, 2022: Youngkin Signs Bill Making Masks Optional in Virginia Public Schools
On February 16, 2022, Youngkin signed legislation making mask-wearing optional in all public schools across Virginia. The bill, passed largely along party lines, came into effect on March 1st.
February 21, 2022: Youngkin Extends State of Emergency to Address Hospital Capacity
Upon assuming office, Youngkin extended a limited state of emergency initially declared by his predecessor to alleviate pressure on hospitals and allow out-of-state medical professionals to practice in Virginia. Though the extension was initially set to expire on February 21, 2022, it was later prolonged until March 22 of that year.
March 2022: Wheeler's New Role and Regulatory Reform
In March 2022, following the legislative dispute over his initial cabinet nomination, Andrew Wheeler was appointed by Governor Youngkin to a senior advisor position. Later, in June, Youngkin placed Wheeler in charge of the newly formed Office of Regulatory Management, tasked with streamlining state regulations.
April 2022: Parental Review of Sexually Explicit Content Bill Signed
In April 2022, Youngkin signed a bill allowing parents in Virginia to review and opt their children out of educational materials containing "sexually explicit content," with alternative material provided. This bill, which sparked debate over local control of education and the definition of "sexually explicit content," was seen as fulfilling a key campaign promise by Youngkin. Similar legislation was signed in Florida shortly before. The provisions of the bill take effect in 2023.
May 2022: Youngkin Announces Plans to Reduce Telework for Virginia Executive Branch Employees
In May 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared his intention to curtail the telework policy for employees within Virginia's executive branch, a policy that had been expanded two years prior by then-Governor Ralph Northam in response to the pandemic. Youngkin's revised policy, slated to take effect on July 5 of the same year, limited telework options for employees, requiring approvals from varying levels of authority based on the number of telework days requested.
May 2022: Youngkin Pushes for Political Diversity in Higher Education Hiring
In May 2022, Youngkin advocated for mandatory political diversity in hiring practices at Virginia's colleges and universities. He followed this up with a successful budget amendment requiring public institutions to promote "free speech and diversity of thought." This action reflects Youngkin's stance on promoting ideological diversity within higher education.
May 2022: Youngkin Calls for Federal Action Against Protests at Justices' Homes
In May 2022, after a draft opinion of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case was leaked, Youngkin, alongside Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, requested federal intervention to address protests targeting the residences of conservative Supreme Court Justices in their respective states.
June 2022: Youngkin's Proposed Legislation Against Protests Targeting Judges Fails
In June 2022, following ongoing protests outside the homes of Supreme Court Justices, Youngkin proposed a budget amendment that would criminalize participation in protests aimed at intimidating or influencing judges. The amendment faced bipartisan opposition and was ultimately defeated.
July 1, 2022: Expanded Early Release Program Takes Effect, Impacted by Youngkin's Amendment
The expanded early release program, approved in 2020, came into effect on July 1, 2022. The program had a retroactive clause, meaning inmates could get credit for good behavior dating back to the start of their sentences. However, due to Youngkin's amendment, approximately 550 inmates convicted of violent crimes, who were originally scheduled for release under the expanded program, remained incarcerated.
July 2022: Youngkin's Amendment Impacts Planned Release of Inmates
A few weeks before the expanded early release program was set to release around 550 inmates convicted of violent crimes, Governor Youngkin's amendment went into effect. This amendment reversed a key provision of the program, preventing those convicted of violent crimes from using earned good behavior credits to shorten any of their sentences, even for non-violent offenses. Consequently, these inmates, who had already been informed of their impending release, remained in custody.
August 2022: Youngkin Enlists Think Tank to Revise Education Standards
In August 2022, Governor Youngkin began the process of revising Virginia's education standards for history and social sciences with the help of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative think tank.
August 2022: Youngkin's Attempt to Withdraw Virginia from RGGI
In August 2022, the Youngkin administration announced its plan to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by the end of 2023. This decision, made despite potential legal obstacles, aimed to eliminate what Youngkin perceived as a "carbon tax" and reduce costs for ratepayers. However, Democrats argued that leaving RGGI would cut off a vital revenue stream used for flood control and energy assistance programs.
September 2022: Youngkin Revokes Transgender Student Protections, Fueling National Debate
In September 2022, the Youngkin administration rolled back protections for transgender students in Virginia schools, replacing guidelines established under the previous administration in 2020. The new policies, emphasizing parental rights and biological sex over gender identity, ignited controversy and legal challenges, reflecting a broader national debate on transgender rights.
October 2022: Youngkin Administration Pauses Implementation of Transgender Student Policies
In October 2022, the Youngkin administration chose to pause the implementation of model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students, originally slated to take effect that month. This decision came amid ongoing review of the policies.
October 2022: Youngkin Opposes CDC Recommendation on COVID-19 Vaccine for Schoolchildren
In October 2022, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended including the COVID-19 vaccine in the list of required immunizations for school children, Youngkin expressed his opposition to any legislative efforts within Virginia to implement this recommendation.
December 2022: Youngkin Administration Settles School Mask Mandate Lawsuit
In December 2022, the Youngkin administration reached a settlement with the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging his ban on school mask mandates. The settlement largely upheld the previous court ruling, allowing mask mandates in areas frequented by the plaintiffs while also requiring schools to provide alternative arrangements for students who choose not to wear masks.
2022: State Budget Passes with Bipartisan Support
Although the 2022 state budget was signed into law with bipartisan support, it faced opposition from some Democrats who believed it prioritized tax cuts over funding for social programs such as affordable housing, mental health services, and gun violence prevention.
2022: Youngkin's Efforts to Reverse School Admission Reforms Fail
During 2022, Youngkin actively advocated for a bill to reverse recent reforms aimed at increasing diversity in Governor's Schools admissions, particularly at Thomas Jefferson High School and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. He argued that using geographic and socioeconomic factors was "proxy discrimination." This bill, although passing in the Republican-controlled House, failed in the Democrat-controlled Senate. However, a separate bill signed by Youngkin that same year banned discrimination in Governor's Schools admissions based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. This bill, receiving bipartisan support, was seen as a diluted version of his initial aim, reiterating existing federal law.
2022: Youngkin Campaigns for Republicans in 2022 Midterm Elections
During the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, Youngkin actively campaigned for Republican candidates across various states. His support extended to both those who aligned with and those who refuted Trump's claims regarding the 2020 election, a stance that drew attention and analysis.
2022: Youngkin's Attempt to Reshape Loudoun County School Board Elections Raises Concerns
During the 2022 Virginia legislative session, Youngkin attempted to amend a bill to force early elections for a majority of the Loudoun County School Board. This move, widely seen as politically motivated and potentially unconstitutional, drew criticism for undermining local election integrity and sparked partisan clashes in the state legislature.
2022: Real Estate Tax Proposal Fails
During the 2022 legislative session, Youngkin's proposal requiring localities with rising real estate values to get public approval for revenue increases from property taxes or lower their rates failed to pass.
2022: Youngkin's Transgender Student Policy Sparks Backlash and Legal Challenges
Following the Youngkin administration's reversal of transgender student protections in 2022, many Virginia school districts resisted implementing the new policies, citing potential legal conflicts and concerns over student well-being. The move reflected a nationwide trend of legislative efforts to restrict transgender rights, particularly among youth.
2022: Glenn Youngkin Becomes 74th Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin took office as the 74th governor of Virginia in 2022.
2022: First Week in Office and Inaugural Events
Glenn Youngkin's first week as Governor of Virginia in 2022 was marked by both celebratory events and the challenges of a major winter storm. Before his inauguration, he participated in community service at the Reconciliation Statue in Richmond. Following his inauguration, multiple celebratory events were held across Richmond, including one at the historic Main Street Station.
2022: Virginia State Budget Signed
In 2022, Glenn Youngkin signed a two-year, $165 billion state budget that included $4 billion in tax cuts. Key features of the budget were an increase to the standard deduction for personal income tax, one-time tax rebates, and a partial elimination of Virginia's grocery tax.
2022: Youngkin Limits Early Release Program for Violent Offenders
In 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced an amendment to the state budget, which was subsequently passed, limiting the reach of an expanded early release program that was scheduled to begin later that summer. The program, initially expanded by legislation signed in 2020 by then-Governor Ralph Northam, allowed inmates to reduce their sentences through good behavior credits. Youngkin's amendment restricted eligibility for the program, making inmates convicted of violent crimes ineligible to use the expanded credits to reduce any of their sentences, including sentences for non-violent crimes.
2022: Youngkin Bans Law Enforcement Quotas in Virginia
In 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill into law prohibiting law enforcement agencies in Virginia from using quotas for issuing tickets or making arrests. This bipartisan-supported bill, proposed by the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, aimed to ensure that an officer's performance evaluation wasn't solely based on the number of citations given or arrests made, shifting the focus from quantity to quality of law enforcement.
2022: Youngkin Signs Bill Limiting the Scope of the Marcus Alert System
In 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation that scaled back the Marcus Alert system, which had been established by his predecessor, Ralph Northam. The system, designed to improve responses to mental health crises, mandated the involvement of mental health professionals in situations reported to 911. Youngkin's legislation exempted localities with populations under 40,000 from the mandate, citing cost concerns. This exemption impacted a significant portion of Virginia localities, covering about 67% of them and over 19% of the state's population. The move was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the cost-saving measures and others, including Princess Blanding, sister of Marcus-David Peters, expressing concerns about the limited reach of the system.
2022: Youngkin's Lab School Funding Proposal Sparks Debate
In 2022, Youngkin advocated for a funding model for lab schools where per-pupil funding would go directly to the institutions operating them, rather than the local school boards. This proposal, although aimed at supporting lab schools, faced criticism for potentially causing funding disparities among school districts.
2022: Youngkin Signs Record Education Budget, Balancing Increased Spending with Tax Cuts
In 2022, Youngkin approved a state budget that allocated a record $19.2 billion towards education, a historic high for Virginia. This decision, part of a compromise with Democrats, saw increased education spending alongside the enactment of several of Youngkin's tax cut proposals.
2022: Legislation on Deceased Voters and Absentee Ballot Reporting
In 2022, Youngkin enacted bipartisan legislation mandating the weekly removal of deceased voters from Virginia's electoral rolls, a process previously conducted monthly. Additionally, he signed legislation requiring precinct-by-precinct reporting of absentee ballots, replacing the previous practice of reporting them as a single, at-large precinct.
2022: Reform for Medical Marijuana Access
In 2022, Youngkin signed legislation simplifying the process for patients to access medical marijuana in Virginia. Patients with a valid certificate from a registered medical provider could purchase medical marijuana immediately, eliminating the previous requirement of registering with the State Board of Pharmacy and reducing wait times.
2022: Landlord-Tenant Bill Vetoed
In 2022, Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have allowed judges to mandate that landlords address code violations, arguing that it was unnecessary and tenants should share responsibility for maintaining safe living conditions.
2022: Changes to Marijuana Possession Penalties and Ban on Certain Cannabis Products
In 2022, a bipartisan budget deal signed by Youngkin introduced Class 3 misdemeanor charges for first-time offenders found possessing between four and 16 ounces of marijuana in public and Class 2 misdemeanors for subsequent offenses. Additionally, the deal prohibited the sale of cannabis products resembling animals, humans, vehicles, or fruits to prevent accidental ingestion by children.
2022: Youngkin Backs Lab Schools with Changes to Funding and Partnerships
In 2022, the state budget included $100 million for re-establishing lab schools in Virginia, a type of public school. Youngkin's introduced amendment removed the requirement for lab schools to be teacher training programs and allowed partnerships with community colleges and private universities, expanding their scope and potential.
2022: Honorary Degree Recipient
In early 2022, Glenn Youngkin was awarded an honorary degree from the College of William and Mary.
2022: School Infrastructure Receives Funding Boost in 2022 Budget
In the 2022 biennial budget, $1.25 billion was allocated towards school construction and maintenance in Virginia. While this exceeded the amount allocated in the previous budget, it fell short of the amount deemed necessary by the Virginia Department of Education to completely replace the state's oldest schools.
2022: Investment in Virginia Housing Trust Fund
The 2022 state budget included a $150 million investment in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing, which was half of what former Governor Northam proposed. Youngkin has stated his opposition to further investment in affordable housing.
2022: Virginia Preschool Initiative Expanded to Include Younger Children and Broader Income Eligibility
The Virginia Preschool Initiative, providing preschool education for low-income children, saw significant expansion in the 2022 biennial state budget. The program's age eligibility was lowered to include three-year-olds, and the income threshold was raised, allowing more families access to early childhood education.
2022: Escalating Conflict and Vetoes
Throughout 2022, tensions escalated between Governor Youngkin and the Democrat-controlled legislature, stemming from earlier disagreements over cabinet appointments. Youngkin proceeded to issue a significant number of vetoes on bills sponsored by Democrats, exceeding the number of vetoes made by his recent predecessors during their first year in office. These vetoes, characterized as retaliatory by some, targeted bills with bipartisan support and even included vetoing one version of a bill while signing an identical version from a different sponsor, a highly unusual move in Virginia politics.
2022: Donation of Gubernatorial Salary
Youngkin pledged to donate his entire gubernatorial salary of $175,000 annually to charitable causes. In the first quarter of 2022, he donated his salary to the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program, which supports first responders who have experienced trauma. In the second quarter of 2022, he directed his salary to the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation.
March 2023: Review of Youngkin Administration's Transgender Student Policies Continues
The Youngkin administration confirmed in March 2023 that its review of model policies on the treatment of transgender students was ongoing. No specific date for the implementation of these policies had been determined at that time.
2023: Regulation on THC Content in Products
In 2023, Youngkin signed a bill into law that restricted the sale of products containing over 0.2 milligrams of THC or exceeding 0.3% total THC in Virginia. However, an exception was included for products containing 25 times more CBD than THC to ensure the availability of specific products with recognized medical benefits.
2023: Proposed Move of Wizards and Capitals Fails
In 2023, Youngkin's agreement with Ted Leonsis to move the Washington Wizards and Capitals to Alexandria, VA, and build new stadiums with $1.35 billion in taxpayer funds, fell through due to lack of approval from state and local lawmakers.
2023: Changes to Voting Rights Restoration Process for Former Felons
Reports in 2023 indicated that the Youngkin administration had reintroduced procedural obstacles to the voting rights restoration process for former felons, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of individuals regaining their voting rights. While the administration maintained that its case-by-case review approach aligned with the state constitution, it did not clarify the specific criteria used in these evaluations.
2023: Planned Withdrawal from RGGI
The Youngkin administration planned to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by the end of 2023, despite potential legal challenges. This decision aimed to eliminate what Youngkin perceived as a "carbon tax" and reduce costs for ratepayers.
2023: Parental Review Bill Takes Effect
The provisions of the parental review bill signed by Youngkin in April 2022, which allows parents to review and opt their children out of sexually explicit educational material, are set to take effect in 2023.
March 2024: Codification of Same-Sex Marriage
In March 2024, Youngkin signed a bill that formally recognized same-sex marriage under Virginia law. However, due to a 2006 constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, the law would only take effect if the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges were overturned, and the state constitution were amended.
2024: Blocking California's Vehicle Emissions Standards
In 2024, Youngkin aimed to block a law scheduled to take effect that would align Virginia with California's vehicle emissions standards.
2024: Veto of Commercial Marijuana Sales
In 2024, Youngkin vetoed a bill that aimed to legalize the commercial sale of marijuana in Virginia.
July 2026: Original Deadline for Statewide Implementation of Marcus Alert System
July 2026 was the initial deadline set for all localities in Virginia to have the Marcus Alert system in place, as mandated by legislation signed into law by then-Governor Ralph Northam.
2050: Virginia's Clean Economy Act
The Virginia Clean Economy Act, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in Virginia by 2050, faced opposition from Youngkin. He believed the act would lead to higher utility prices.
