Home Youngkin, Gilbert vowing to protect Virginia from having to be like California
Politics, Virginia

Youngkin, Gilbert vowing to protect Virginia from having to be like California

Chris Graham
electric vehicle
(© kinwun – stock.adobe.com)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and House Speaker Todd Gilbert are vowing to reverse a state law tying Virginia emissions policies to those in place in California, which recently voted to eliminate the sale of gas and diesel vehicles by 2035.

One problem for the Republicans: Democrats are still in charge in the State Senate.

“In an effort to turn Virginia into California, liberal politicians who previously ran our government sold Virginia out by subjecting Virginia drivers to California vehicle laws,” Youngkin wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “Now, under that pact, Virginians will be forced to adopt the California law that prohibits the sale of gas and diesel-fueled vehicles.”

Yes, all the way out in 2035.

A lot can and will happen by 2035.

For instance, the ACC will be a year away from its dumb contract with ESPN finally coming to an end.

OK, so, some things that need to happen still won’t have happened by 2035.

Another for instance: this California regulation could come, go, come back again.

“California’s out of touch laws have no place in our Commonwealth,” Youngkin tweeted.

Neither do Texas’ out of touch abortion laws, Mr. Governor.

Gilbert weighed in promising that “House Republicans will advance legislation in 2023 to put Virginians back in charge of Virginia’s auto emission standards and its vehicle marketplace.”

“Virginia is not, and should not be, California,” Gilbert said.

Virginia can not, and will not be, California.

Fixed it for you, Mr. Speaker.

Support AFP

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

donald trump
Politics

Easier to die, harder to vote: The rigged architecture of the Warfare State

virginia tax
Virginia

State income tax filing deadline is Friday: Officials pushing you to file electronically

The filing and payment deadline for Virginia state income taxes is Friday, and Tax Commissioner Kristin Collins is saying it’s best at this stage to file electronically, if you can.

tony elliott gator bowl
Football

UVA Football: Finally, we have the details on Tony Elliott’s extension

UVA Football coach Tony Elliott got himself a million-dollar-a-year raise after his team’s 11-win season in 2025, with a total compensation package at $5.4 million a year, with $100,000 raises over each of the next five years of the deal.

uva football chandler morris
Football

UVA Football: Morris, Taylor among 10 ‘Hoos signing NFL rookie deals

football money
Football

UVA Football: Details on fresh extensions for Kitchings, Rudzinski, Gaither

rob tracinski podcast
Politics, Virginia

Podcast: Rob Tracinski discusses his Sixth District congressional campaign

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Odom lands first transfer commitment for 2026 class