GA wrap-up (the money edition)
posted by Brent FinneganI wouldn’t normally post about state budget issues, but I noticed there wasn’t anything on DNR’s website about it, so…
While congress squabbles over the federal budget, the General Assembly is trying to settle the state budget in Richmond. They’ve already gone into overtime twice because of it, so you know all the legislators are itching to be done with it and go home. Now all that’s left is for Governor Kaine to recommend changes and sign it. Here’s how the $77 billion budget (to cover the next two years) is shaping up:
• Legislators agreed to “eliminate $3.2 million in proposed funding for a program to help keep ex-offenders from going back to jail” (inRich)
• 2 percent pay raises for most state employees and public school teachers (but most state employees get an additional 2 percent raise in 2009).
• $6 million for the drug courts.
• The biggest hurdle for legislators this year is transportation, of course. The Post’s Tim Craig explains:
lawmakers are struggling to figure out what to do in the recurring battle over how to raise more money for transportation [...]
Senate Democrats remain confident of their position, as evidenced by the proposal from Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw to create a 3 percent tax on wholesale gasoline purchases and to increase the car titling tax by a half-cent [...] House and Senate Republicans are understandably wary of giving in to the Senate Democrats’ proposal for a statewide tax increase.
The biggest threat to most House Republicans’ reelection chances next year won’t come from a Democrat. With all but a few Republican delegates in safe seats, the real campaign could come in the form of a primary challenge from an antitax conservative [...]
And if a statewide tax increase were a winning issue in most parts of Virginia, why did House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) and Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), a likely candidate for governor, vote against a proposal last month to raise the gasoline tax? [...]
If a solution for transportation is not agreed upon by midsummer, it just might have to be sorted out by the voters in the governor’s race.
H/T Tom Whipple
posted: March 13th, 2008 by Brent Finnegan
filed under crime & punishment, economy, politics.
Comments: 4
Comments
Comment from finnegan
Time: March 13, 2008, 11:31 am
Also worth noting is this mention in Gibson’s drug court story:
Meanwhile, a stalemate over the appointment of judges continues and is holding up the possible elections of as many as 30 or more judges by the legislature.
A handful of disputed judgeships and clashes between some legislators over a few appointments have created a roadblock stopping the legislature from filling many judgeships the House and Senate had largely agreed upon, Stosch said.
Harrisonburg’s Helsley and Wilson are among those disputed appointments.
Comment from Bubby
Time: March 13, 2008, 12:31 pm
Before he even asks why Brian Moran or Ward Armstrong would vote against a gas tax, he answers his own question:
There is little reason for Senate Democrats to compromise (on transportation). If they do, they run the risk of being held responsible for another quick-fix solution, such as the failed and politically unpopular abusive-driving fees
The message here is that House Republicans will have to get serious about Virginia’s business, and quit playing to their willfully ignorant rabble who chant “no taxes” like a bunch of drunken Lynyrd Skynyrd fans calling for “Freebird”.
The tooth fairy is not going to bring funding for transportation. A bipartisan coalition of Delegates will have to stand up and do the right thing - raise the money, pay the tab.
Comment from Dave Briggman
Time: March 13, 2008, 9:57 pm
And here comes a Special Session:
Comment from Dave Briggman
Time: March 13, 2008, 9:58 pm
Oh yeah, let’s have a SECOND Special Session:
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