Youngkin pushing for lawmakers to reconvene

Gov. Glenn Youngkin would very much like lawmakers to return to Richmond to pass a budget now.

What's happening: Lawmakers adjourned over three months ago without reaching an agreement on the state's spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Why it matters: Because we're in the second year of a two-year budget cycle, there's no threat of a government shutdown, but the partisan divide has left $3 billion in surplus state revenue unspent.

Flashback: Youngkin and Republicans in the House were pushing for an extensive package of tax cuts. Democrats wanted to spend more on education and teacher raises.

State of play: House and Senate negotiators said talks were delayed by uncertainty surrounding the federal debt ceiling and how a national default would impact state finances.

Even before that was resolved, Youngkin, who had previously said he was in no rush and "here all summer," began voicing impatience.

• "Let me be clear, I need a budget," he told WRIC at the end of last month.

Between the lines: It's unlikely lawmakers will return to Richmond before the June 20 primary elections, which are currently sucking up most of the political oxygen in Virginia.