VGEA matters because you matter! The governor is promising another billion in tax cuts in the future. That was a big priority forYoungkin and Republicans in the General Assembly. Youngkin. VGEA is the only statewide organization for the broad range of Commonwealth employees. Jun. House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County, said that Virginians can feel good about the budget compromise. The new state budget adds money to mental health facilities, offers bonuses and raises to retain and recruit personnel, and helps to assist "with the mental health crisis we are experiencing," Hackworth said. Individuals undergoing mental issues have to be picked up, taken to a medical facility for diagnosis, then taken to a state mental health facility. Lawmakers in Virginia's divided legislature approved a new two-year budget in Richmond on Wednesday after months of negotiations. With the clock ticking, this year's . And finally, for the states share of teacher retirement, we can issue $200 million each year in literary fund loans, he said. The re-enrolled Virginia State Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024, HB 30, will be formally enrolled in the Acts of Assembly this week. Northams administration touts the proposed budget as a road map for success that leaves the incoming governor in excellent financial shape, with record amounts in the states reserve funds. State employees including teachers will see a 10% raise over two years along with a $1,000 bonus. (This amendment provides $66.5 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2023 for a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 to state employees on December 1, 2022. Eliminates the 1.5 percent state grocery tax. And as always, were grateful for everyone who worked on our behalf so that we could enjoy the day. These initiatives include: Providing almost $4 billion in tax relief to Virginians. The state will give out one-time rebates of $250 for individual taxpayers and $500 for couples. His biggest win overall is about $4 billion in cuts to state income and sales taxes. . The budget will then go to Governor Youngkin for final amendments and approval. Youngkin will inherit a Virginia government stuffed with cash, but what he can do with it remains uncertain. The budget only came out on Sunday, meaning lawmakers didn't have much time to go throughit. These pay raises will benefit all state employees, and they will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, respectively. The VGEA Executive Committee met on May 25, 2022, to collaborate on a plan to address the continued impacts and hardships caused by the Youngkin administrations new telework policy on state employees. Will it happen? - Eliminating the 1.5% state portion of the grocery tax. ), State Employee Bonus (Budget Item 483 #4c). I want to make sure that happens in the right way. This extraordinary revenue situation has enabled us to address long-lingering, one-time investment needs, pre-pay upcoming commitments, fund capital projects with cash and not bonds, and remove the accounting gimmicks we used to balance our budget during the Great Recession, Knight said. But to some, just hearing the word union is scary. Virginia Mercury The budget increases are in line with a $58.5 million proposal by the Republican-controlled House that will boost staff pay to the 50th percentile of the market. Want NBC12s top stories in your inbox each morning? For more on the state budget, including specifics such as funding for the Central Virginia Training Center in Amherst County, life sciences labs in Roanoke, and flood relief in Hurley, see our previous coverage. We know that. You may recall that Virginia closed 2021 with a $2.6 billion surplus the largest surplus in state history and a surplus that was far above any forecasts so it makes sense that some of the surplus would be given back to Virginians. We emailed an important legislative update this week to members of the VGEA. However, VGEA has since begun productive dialogue about the policy, its implementation, and its potential implications with the appropriate officials within the Youngkin Administration including Secretary of the Administration, Lyn McDermid., As part of the return to pre-pandemic normalcy, Governor Youngkin announced on May 5th that state employees are expected to return to their jobs in person on Monday, July 5th. - Pay raises for state and local law enforcement, correctional officers, local sheriffs deputies. The VGEA team shared what theyve been doing to advocate for Virginias employees and retirees and let us know the plans for 2023. Well also discuss our Legislative Priorities for 2023 that over 700 VGEA members helped craft through their responses to our recent survey. RSVP now! Morefield said the budget ensures Virginia will maintain its AAA bond rating, and makes significant tax cuts, including the elimination of the grocery tax on food. (This amendment provides $66.5 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2023 for a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 to state employees on December 1, 2022. Senate Democrats in Virginia dont want to do whats right for Virginians. We were a little concerned over the quick turnaround time, VGEA lobbyist Dylan Bishop said Friday.. The spending plan includes a historic investment in state funding of school construction. The Administration is pushing for large numbers of employees to be in offices by July 5th. In a Monday interview, VGEA Lobbyist Dylan Bishop said he met with Secretary of Administration Lyn McDermid earlier this month, but had low hopes the administration would push back its timeline. Provides $100 million to launch lab schools with colleges, including community colleges and HBCUs. All told, it adds up to almost $4 billion in tax cuts made possible by a record state surplus. Other employees fear that they will be looked at unfavorably by their management or agency for joining the VGEA. Certain employee groups receiving a separate, targeted compensation adjustment equal to or greater than 7.5 percent in the first year will receive a 2.5 percent salary increase in the first year and a five percent salary increase in the second year. But in the end, all but a dozen or so lawmakers voted for this spending plan. Glenn Youngkin. 2023 VGEA, All Rights Reserved. An alternative proposal by the Democrat-controlled Senate would have boosted pay to the 75th percentile at a cost of $84 million. The budget goes into effect July 1. The State Capitol. This economy, this Joe Biden created economy, it requires us to do more, said Governor Glenn Youngkin, (R) Virginia. Workers who need it, not just who want it.. Theres money for support positions and dedicated reading specialists as well as some funding for mental health programs although not as much as advocates had hoped. NOW: @GovernorVA signs two-year state budget. Ralph Northam (D) has proposed the final state budget of his term in office, using massive surpluses to fund both pay raises and tax cuts. A companion amendment to House Bill 30 includes additional contingent appropriation of $250.0 million to VRS. The Youngkin administration hasnt met their own deadlines.. - Targeted tax cuts for lower-income families and communities, including a refundable tax credit for low-income working families allowing them to collect up to 15% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) will have to . Sen. Obenshain said that, at this point, he thinks the budget will pass, but . - Millions of dollars for mental health facilities, supportive housing, Home and Community Based-Services, and pay raises for direct-care staff at state behavioral health facilities. If you didnt get a chance to read the VGEA newsletter, ForeSight, when we mailed to our members in August, weve updated it, and you can now read it online. Its not enough. In short, The Commonwealth of Virginia works because we do! Working together across party lines, we have made historic investments in our educational system from preschool through grad school, mental health services, economic development programs, and our park systems," added Senator Janet Howell, Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair. Were hoping to hear from as many state employees and retirees as possible., Just under 9,900 state employees have received permission to work remotely at least one day a week under a new policythat Gov. UPDATE June 1, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Glenn Youngkin has imposed, but some say their supervisors have shown little flexibility in carrying it out., The Virginia Governmental Employees Association (VGEA) was surprised to hear of the Governors new telework policy for state employees for the first time by email last Thursday, May 12. While some workers conveyed support for Youngkins changes, preliminary results provide insight into building frustration behind the scenes.. Not receiving member emails? It's a budget we can all be proud of. This amendment provides $750.0 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2022 for a lump sum payment to the VRS to address the unfunded liability of the VRS run programs. In fact, the proposed spending plan would pump so much money into reserves leaving them at nearly $3.9 billion, or almost 17 percent of state revenue that the General Assembly would have to authorize the state to exceed legal limits on the amount of cash held in reserve. We strive to be relevant, from the 21-year-old new employee to the 100-year-old retiree. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee one of the two lawmakers leading the negotiations. With the budget, lawmakers cant pick and choose which items they want. NOW: @GovernorVA signs two-year state budget. The VGEA will keep you updated as we get additional updates. This budget would devote over $1 billion toward school construction projects. Who came up with this plan? This takes 48 to 72 hours of an officer's time. Lobby Day & Legislative Reception February 9, Membership Dues Will Increase Beginning January 1, Read the full article to find out more about what the VGEA really is, Were Asking for More Pay Raises + Talking Points, Breaking News for Retirees | Cost of Living Adjustment, Weve Been Meeting with an All-Star Cast of Legislators. This article was published more than1 year ago. Subscribe here. The proposals would amount to an estimated $5.3 billion in tax relief over the biennium. The folks who have ADA issues are likely the most impassioned about the position they find themselves in, said VGEA lobbyist Dylan Bishop.. Roanoke labs project awaits final approval. , from the 21-year-old new Employee to the 100-year-old retiree be relevant, from the 21-year-old new to! That was a big priority forYoungkin and Republicans in the right way includes additional contingent appropriation of $ million. 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