(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump issued orders to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and transfer responsibilities back to the states; Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded, “Virginia is ready.”
Youngkin’s backing of Trump’s executive order aligns with a broader effort to shift Virginia’s education policies to state control. One clear example of the commonwealth exercising that control is its recent move to ban artificial food dyes in all public school meals.
This bill is identical to SB 1289, a decision made entirely at the state level without federal influence.
The new law, which will take effect in 2027, prohibits public schools from serving meals with seven types of artificial dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, both of which are linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children.
“If we wouldn’t put it on our faces, we shouldn’t put in the stomachs of our children,” said Sen. Emily Jordan, who patroned the bill.
Virginia will be the second state in the nation to sign this into law.
The food dye ban is more than just a health initiative; it’s a case study of how Virginia can now set its education policies without federal intervention.
“Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education. We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support,” Youngkin said in a statement.
“We welcome the federal government’s shift of responsibility to the states—and we are grateful that President Trump’s executive order does just that. The EO also makes it clear that there will be no discrimination in the classrooms. We will continue to ensure that every student graduates career-, college-, or military-ready.”
The shift of responsibility aligns with a broader movement in Virginia to reshape education policy. Youngkin has long had high expectations for education across the commonwealth, expanding lab schools, increasing school choice options, raising academic standards and investing $7 billion in new education funding since the pandemic.
With Virginia poised to take complete control of its education system, the upcoming governor’s race will determine how that shift unfolds. At a bill signing ceremony, Youngkin addressed the law’s importance, saying, “These harmful chemicals that are injected into our food cause problems,” said Youngkin at a bill signing ceremony.
Youngkin noted this is one of the most significant bills signed under his administration and emphasized that it reinforced a core principle, “Yes, parents matter.” The governor sees this as a chance to increase school choice and state-driven reforms.
Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger for governor has warned of a potential funding shortfall. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears praised the executive order as a ‘game-changer.’
As Virginians head to the polls, education remains one of the top defining issues in the race—one that will determine whether Youngkin’s vision of state-led education reform continues or is reversed.
