Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) renewed his commitment to students and their families in his Wednesday State of the Commonwealth address.
“Parents matter,” he said. “And we must protect their fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of their children.” Education and parental rights were considered key factors in Youngkin’s 2021 win over Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe.
“We empowered parents,” he explained, “because they matter, giving them the choice on whether their child wears a mask to school again, on a bipartisan basis.”
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Youngkin claimed that “Virginia’s children suffered the largest decline of any state in the country for fourth grade literacy and tied for the largest decline in fourth grade math.”
He told listeners, “We have real work to do,” noting that students suffered the consequences of “misguided decisions.”
Further, he said, “We must teach our children all of our history, the good and the bad.”
“Virginians don’t have time for political posturing or foot-dragging,” the governor added.
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Youngkin additionally took the opportunity to tout his ability to provide some tax relief to citizens, blasting “the silent thief of inflation — let loose by President Biden.” According to him, inflation is “stealing Virginians’ hard-earned money.”
Later, he addressed abortion. “This session, I have asked the General Assembly to come together to protect life at 15 weeks, the point when a baby can feel pain,” he explained. “It is clear Virginians want fewer abortions, not more.”
