Some Sense in Richmond
With a projected shortfall of $1.4 billion in the budget for 2009-2010, one would think the solons of Virginia government would be looking to neither start or expand programs. Unfortunately, that would not be what is going on. This morning’s Washington Post reports:
“Because of a projected $1.4 billion shortfall in Kaine's 2009-2010 budget, GOP leaders say they will focus on paying for existing programs, such as public education and aid to local governments, instead of starting new programs or expanding existing ones.
“Kaine (D) and Senate Democrats say they will fight to protect the governor's priorities, setting up a battle over the budget in the remaining three weeks of the legislative session.
“Senate Democrats also said they would fight for transportation funding. On Friday, the Senate voted 25 to 15 to approve an increase in the state's gas tax by a penny a year over the next five years. House Republicans oppose the idea.”
In addition, the Post reports:
“Kaine wants to close the budget shortfall by transferring money from the state's reserve fund and cutting money for school construction by more than $100 million. He also would cut aid to local governments by 5.4 percent and reduce grants to public colleges and universities by 2 percent.
“But Kaine also is proposing an estimated $400 million in new spending, ranging from new wastewater treatment plants to an expansion in a program that pays for mammograms for the poor.”
But the common sense is this quote by House Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford):
“This is not the time to be doing new programs.”
Stay tuned as the two parties battle over how to divvy-up the taxes we pay.