Thank you to our Public Policy Program of Work Sponsors:
State Budget Compromise Unveiled
Budget leaders in the Virginia House and Senate were able to reach a compromise on the Commonwealth’s budget late last week, and the General Assembly will reconvene today to vote on the proposal. If the vote is successful, Governor Youngkin will have 7 days to act on the budget, which could include signing it, amending it, or vetoing it outright. 

There are several positive budget items worth highlighting, including:

  • Reduction of the sales tax on groceries from 2.5% to 1.5%, which keeps intact the portion remitted to localities
  • Increasing the standard tax deduction from $4,500 to $8,000 for individuals, and from $9,000 to $16,000 for joint filers
  • $159 million to enhance Virginia’s Business Ready Sites program
  • $750,000 to study transforming Catawba Hospital into a state of the art substance abuse and mental health rehabilitation facility
  • $15.7 million to create new biosciences lab space in Roanoke
  • $41.5 million towards establishment of a State Trails Office, which will seek to expand multi-use trail networks

The Chamber has advocated for and supported many of these budget items to enhance the economic viability of Virginia's Blue Ridge, and we thank our members who responded to calls to action.

We also appreciate the hard work our region’s delegation to the General Assembly has put in to this compromise. Regionally-consequential budget proposals (as well as those with statewide significance) were submitted and defended successfully by legislators on both sides of the partisan line and our Delegates and Senators should be commended for their efforts.
Upcoming Events
The fourth and final event in our 2nd Annual Virginia's Blue Ridge Series, Presented by Ridge View Bank, will be held on Tuesday, June 14.  

Limited single-day tickets are available! Series ticket holders have automatic entry.

Our final topic: The State of Retail, Sponsored by The Town of Vinton.  

Retailers from across the region will participate in a panel discussion on the challenges of our current economic environment. The conversation will include discussions on how retailers address supply chain bottlenecks, staffing shortages, rising costs of goods, and more. 


What: Virginia's Blue Ridge Series - State of Retail (4th in Series) 
Where: Vinton War Memorial 
When: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 
Registration and Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 
Program: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 
Cost: $50.00 for members | $100 for future members 
State and Local
Virginia’s Department of Veteran Services will host an in-person V3 Employer Certifcation Training and Veteran Resource event in Martinsville, Va on Wednesday, June 8th 2022-10am-2pm.  Registration, lunch, parking, and certifcation are all FREE. 

Why V3?
  • Over 96K Veterans have been hired in Virginia through the V3 Program
  • Over 2000 Companies are in the V3 Program and growing
  • Small companies may be eligible for a $1000 grant for hiring and retaining Veterans
  • Plus much more!

You may register for this event here, and for additional questions, please contact Meagan LoBuglio at [email protected].
In the News

STAY CONNECTED:

Terry Durkin
Vice President of Public Policy
 Roanoke Regional Chamber 
540.682.2111