Newly inaugurated Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered his vision for the next four years to a joint General Assembly yesterday. His speech set a let’s-get-to-work kind of attitude, a possible prelude to the kind of administration he will lead.
The speech hit on several major campaign promises, two of which deserve to be highlighted. The first is a promise to parents; you won’t be shut out of having a say in your child’s education.
But, for some reason unknown to us, Democrats in the chamber refused to join their Republican colleagues in answering that message with applause. Democrats lost big on education issues last November and they obviously haven’t learned that yet.
The second major promise is one that Youngkin has already delivered; firing the parole board and appointing new members.
What a great line; “On Saturday, I fired the entire parole board.” That’s accountability. That issue never really received the attention it deserved during the campaign, but it is a very important issue. WRIC in Richmond has a good breakdown and summary of the new members, linked here.
Youngkin’s energy on the podium was a visible contrast from his predecessor’s laid-back ah-shucks kind of attitude, and a welcome change. Northam was so laid back he often came across as boring and defeated, which would negatively affect any politician’s communications in selling ideas to the public. Youngkin’s sales pitch is enthusiastic and genuine, which ought to help him gather favor for his policies.
Glenn Youngkin is starting his term on the right foot. He is showing us he is ready on Day One to implement the policies he promised.
