Hampton officials adjust the city’s 2026 budget to address funding cuts for gun violence prevention after Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoes $2.5 million meant for local initiatives. The state funds were intended to support programs such as the Violence Interrupter and housing stabilization through Riverside Hand-In-Hand, both critical in reducing gun violence in the city.
To compensate for the loss, Hampton plans to make significant cuts across various sectors, including halving the funding for housing stabilization to $100,000 and eliminating a new main branch library manager position. City Manager Mary Bunting emphasizes that the city’s violence reduction efforts are paramount, noting the prior success in lowering fatal shootings. The council will formalize these budget amendments at their upcoming session.
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