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Kaine presents his budget Date published: 12/18/2007
RICHMOND--Gov. Tim Kaine yesterday proposed a new two-year budget that increases borrowing and spending, despite slow revenue projections.
He also proposed using $261 million from the state's Rainy Day reserve fund to close up a shortfall in the current budget year. Kaine's $78 billion 2008-2010 budget--the only one he'll see through in its entirety in his term as governor--borrows nearly $2 billion, much of it for colleges, and increases spending on mental health, foster care, health care and pre-K education. Kaine didn't propose tax increases to pay for his proposals. He earlier this year asked state agencies to cut back to help forestall a budget shortfall in the current budget year, and he says part of the money he proposes to spend comes as a result of those savings. He is also suggesting a $10 increase in driver's license renewal fees, as well as an increase to $20 the fee for car inspections--although he would make the inspections due once every two years, instead of annually. Some spending items--like teacher pay raises--are being shunted to the 2010 part of the budget, when economists hope the economy improves. And Kaine wants to take $180 million of the General Assembly's last budget set aside for transportation, which hasn't yet been spent, and use it for other things, with the intention of replacing those dollars when the projects they're meant to pay for are ready to be built. Kaine told lawmakers that in a year where there's already a budget shortfall and one contemplated for the 2009 fiscal year, he could have proposed a "standing in place" budget--one with no innovation. "But a 'best-managed state' does not stand in place. A 'top state for business' does not stand in place," Kaine said. But lawmakers are skeptical about Kaine's budget. They are doubtful that the economy will rebound as much as he predicts by 2010, and they are leery of increasing spending on programs while cutting back on others and dipping into the Rainy Day fund. House and Senate Republican leaders held a news conference after Kaine's speech to talk about their concerns with the "overall soundness and long-term fiscal integrity of his spending plan," according to new House Appropriations Committee chairman Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford. The Republicans said Kaine has presented them a "more aggressive" budget than they'd expected, and accused Kaine of trying to build his legacy.
Date published: 12/18/2007
If Virginia allowed Sunday hunting opportunities the Commonwealth would also obtain additional tax related revenues without incurring additional costs. The action would also benefit retail, hotel and food businesses from hunter activities on Sunday. Sorry, I forget Virginia still lives in the 16th Century and can't face the issues of the 21st Century!
Am I stupid? Raising driving license fees and motor vehicle registration fees to help pay for mental health, preschool and health insurance? If anything the money should be used for vehicle related things like TRANSPORTATION ISSUES! Governor Kaine is tryingto pull a fast one on Virginia and hopefully the House/Senate will have a clearer mind and act accordingly. I sure wish I could order my boss to raise my salary by 10/15% just because I want a new car/clothes. I can't and VA budget should be realistic
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