Youngkin carves out $900 million as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty

WhatbeganasasessionfocusedonhowtospendVirginia’sprojectedmulti-billion surplus hasendedwithGov.GlennYoungkinyankingnearly$900millionoutofthestatebudget—bracingfortheeconomicaftershocksofPresidentDonaldTrump’snewadministration. Atthestartofthe2025legislativesessionbothYoungkinandmembersofVirginia’sGeneralAssemblyhadtheireyesonhowbesttousethewindfall.ButafterTrumptookofficeinlateJanuary,YoungkinannouncedFridaythathewassettingasidea$900millioncushiontoprepareforpotentialfederalimpacts.  Agoodportionofthemoneystemsfromcuttingone-timecapitalprojectsatcollegesanduniversitiesandotherpublicfacilitieswhichYoungkinsaidarestillintheplanningstagesandhaven’tyetenteredconstruction.  AmidTrump’scutstofederalworkers,congressionalplanstotrimfederalfunding,andfreshtariffsrattlinginternationaltrade,Youngkinhasrepeatedlyemphasized“short-termrisks”and“short-termdisruptions”asreasonstoholdbackspending.  “A