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Legislature holds special session on budget Date published: 8/20/2009
BY CHELYEN DAVIS
RICHMOND --Gov. Tim Kaine told lawmakers that state revenues will be $1.2 billion less than anticipated for the current budget year, and that cuts--possibly including layoffs--will be required."While we've made many tough decisions, we're not done," Kaine said in a speech to the legislative money committees. The lowered revenue forecast brings the state's shortfall to $1.5 billion over the 2009-2010 budget biennium. The state fell $300 million short toward the end of the 2009 fiscal year, which ended June 30. Kaine said he expects revenues to be 1.6 percent less than expected in fiscal year 2010; 2009 revenues were more than 9 percent less than expected, and Kaine said this is the first time in Virginia history the state has seen revenue decrease two years in a row. Kaine did not specify how he will make $1.2 billion in cuts from the budget; he plans to announce cuts in early September. He has already asked state agencies for plans to cut 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent from their budgets, and will use those to help his decisions. But he said cuts will not be across the board. Instead, they'll be targeted, focusing on performance, priorities and transparency, Kaine said. He said he may also use reserve funds, unallocated balances and other means to make up the balance. The reductions "will be painful to those who rely on public services at this very challenging time," Kaine said. He said education funding is not necessarily exempt from cuts, even though the school year has begun, although he told reporters he will "certainly have a lighter hand with K-12" than other agencies. Kaine also was not specific about possible layoffs of state workers, but said they're likely. "I would certainly think there would be some," he told reporters. Kaine strove for a positive spin on the shortfall, telling lawmakers that there are signs the economy may be improving, and noting that despite several years of budget cuts, Virginia still has the highest bond rating and ranks as a well-managed state. "My main message to you today is that while the national economy continues to create difficulties, Virginia has managed through this extraordinary time with skill and creativity," Kaine said. "We have more tough decisions to make. But we are well-positioned to maintain our leadership stature among states as the economy improves."
...and I was refuting it with facts. Does that make you envious?
a discussion on penis envy..so which one is the girl?
I simply called you out on your B.S.
Or do you just have small genital's complex. You are like most democrats, when you have no argument you result to insulting.
It doesn't matter who you vote for. It's ALL just a pitch to get elected.
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