Youngkin says "Commonwealth is soaring" in final State of the Commonwealth; touts jobs, revenue and education gains

Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered the State of the Commonwealth address to a joint assembly in Richmond on Jan. 14, telling lawmakers the "Commonwealth is soaring" and urging the next administration to continue policies he said delivered jobs, revenue and education improvements.

Youngkin opened by thanking the legislature and state officials and said his administration had focused on measurable outcomes. "The Commonwealth is soaring," he said, and described what he called "record business investment" and strong labor-market gains.

The governor cited specific figures in the speech: more than $157 billion in business investment since his administration, nearly 270,000 more Virginians working, and 255,000 open jobs. He also said the state was running a $10 billion surplus, and credited regulatory reductions he characterized as a 35 percent cut that saved Virginians money. "We won record business investment over a $157,000,000,000," Youngkin said. "We have 255,000 open jobs." He attributed growth to attracting large employers and to tax relief measures in his budget.

Why it matters: Youngkin framed his record as the basis for the state's fiscal position and as a rationale for continuing business‑friendly policies. The figures he cited bear on budget negotiations the General Assembly will undertake this session and on debates over tax, economic development and workforce programs.

Education featured prominently. Youngkin said education investment increased substantially during his term, describing a $7 billion increase and pointing to the Virginia Literacy Act and expanded career and technical education as reasons for improved student performance. "Teacher compensation is up nearly 20 percent," he said, and he credited gains in math proficiency and reductions in chronic absenteeism.

On public safety and drugs, the governor highlighted expanded criminal penalties, law-enforcement initiatives and overdose‑response efforts. He said the state had distributed hundreds of thousands of naloxone doses and trained tens of thousands of Virginians to use them. "We've seized enough fentanyl that otherwise could have killed every Virginian 10 times over," he said.

Energy and environment: Youngkin argued for an "all of the above" energy strategy, opposing rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). "What it definitely doesn't mean is rejoining RGGI," he said, calling it "a bad deal" he said would raise costs. He urged increased gas and nuclear generation to meet growing demand.

What he asked of the legislature: Youngkin urged preserving the policy course he described — tax relief, streamlined regulation and support for business investment — and stressed partnerships with federal agencies and private-sector employers. He also called for continued investment in roads, broadband and workforce programs.

The address concluded with personal remarks thanking his family and staff. The governor closed by telling the joint assembly he was grateful for the opportunity to serve, and the legislature moved to adjourn the joint session afterward.

Sources: Remarks delivered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the joint assembly, Jan. 14, 2026 (State of the Commonwealth address).