Youngkin says he supports part of the American Rescue Plan, an update on what state candidates are spending on Facebook, and more from Virginia
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Youngkin pushes back against a Democratic talking point
Glenn Youngkin’s campaign is pushing back against the Democratic claims that he opposed opposes the American Rescue Plan, the COVID-19 stimulus package passed by the Biden administration. A Twitter account titled “Team Youngkin” shared comments from an interview in March where Youngkin spoke on the COVID-19 recovery package.
In the interview, Youngkin says he opposed parts of the bill that he believes are over the top in spending, but he also says he likes some parts of the bill including the $1400 checks that individuals received.
“First of all, this COVID spending bill is exactly that, it is a COVID spending bill,” Youngkin said in the interview with Joe Thomas back in March. “There are some elements in here which are really helpful particularly the $1400 check which is really only about a fifth of this overall bill.”
Democrats pointed to other comments that Youngkin has made on this issue in a press release that they sent out Monday. “The American Rescue Plan has delivered critical relief for working families, small businesses, and entire communities across Virginia — but to Glenn Youngkin, it is unnecessary,’” the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) said in a press release. “The American Rescue Plan has provided a framework and a vital blueprint for beating the COVID-19 pandemic — but Youngkin thinks it “absolutely is wrong.”
In that same interview with Thomas, Youngkin did say that he disagreed with several aspects of the bill. He said there were parts that benefited blue states and left Virginians to pay for it. “There are elements in here that are truly bailouts to blue states,” Youngkin said in the interview. “It is stunning what is being done in order to literally air mail money to states that are failing.”
“Fiscal discipline has gone out the window with Democratic leadership,” Youngkin said. “There is elements in here I will repeat that are extremely helpful but it is way over-the-top and this is a spending bill.”
Statewide candidate Facebook ad spend update for the last seven days:
Here are the latest numbers that statewide candidates spent on Facebook advertising between June 13 and June 19.
Governor
Glenn Youngkin: $27,025
Terry McAuliffe: $21,405
Lieutenant Governor
Winsome Sears: $0
Hala Ayala: $0
Attorney General
Jason Miyares: $0
Mark Herring: $438
*In case you missed it*
Terry McAuliffe: 'I don't know why Glenn Youngkin doesn't want to debate' - WSET
by Cynthia Beasley
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says he has committed to five upcoming debates before the election. He said his opponent, Republican Glenn Youngkin, has committed to only one in Grundy.
Youngkin's campaign press secretary said he was not available for an interview. She had not responded to calls, emails or texts on whether Youngkin has since committed to more debates when this article was published.
Delay removal of Richmond’s Confederate pedestals, urge Northam’s chief of staff, community members - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Chris Suarez
Gov. Ralph Northam and several community organizations want Richmond officials to wait for more public input and a comprehensive plan before any of the empty statue pedestals on Monument Avenue are removed.
While city officials characterize the plans they recently introduced to move the bases as only temporary, state officials and several local residents say they would prefer a broader public discussion about how the pedestals that held Confederate statues could be repurposed to create new public art or monuments.
Biden White House launches public push for child tax credit - Associated Press
The White House sought Monday to raise awareness of the federal government’s new expanded child tax credit, which will start paying out monthly in July to families with children who are 17 years old and younger.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a recreation center in Pittsburgh as part of a broader push to promote the program in partnership with churches, schools and other organizations.
Virginia Beach officer said nothing to Donovon Lynch before shooting and killing him, witness says - Virginian-Pilot
By Peter Coutu
The night of laid-back bar-hopping — the gregarious Lynch, easy to spot and easier to get along with, was everyone’s best friend — turned into bedlam as shots rang out.
Walking out of The Boxx, an Oceanfront nightclub, they were greeted by yellow tape, sirens and crowds of police officers. Inside, they hadn’t heard a thing, but a series of shootings had started that would end with eight people seriously injured and two dead — including Lynch.
Delegate agrees to pay full costs of primary-season mailer sent on House letterhead - Virginia Mercury
by Graham Moomaw
As a perk of office, House members have access to up to $750 of taxpayer-funded postage to send mail keeping their constituents up to speed on state policy issues and how they’re being represented in Richmond.
But a 17-page update Levine, D-Alexandria, sent before the June 8 primaries, when he was on the ballot both as a candidate for lieutenant governor and as an incumbent seeking re-election to his House seat, drew fire for its specific references to upcoming elections.
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