Del. Steve Landes highlights dollar-saving budget amendments

Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, highlighted his cost saving budget amendments for the 2016 General Assembly Session.

Del. Landes’ amendments eliminate inefficient and unnecessary spending, saving taxpayers $120,090,521 over the 2017-2018 biennium budget.

“Crafting a fiscally responsible budget is the most important work we do in the General Assembly. By rooting out wasteful and superfluous spending, we can better target taxpayer funds to the core government functions and key priorities Virginians care about most,” said Landes. “While some of these programs may be worthwhile, there are higher priorities that necessitate these cuts to best serve the taxpayers of the Commonwealth” noted Landes.

The following cost saving budget amendments have been submitted by Del. Landes:

• Item 59 #3h removes one-time funding related to suits involving voter identification and congressional redistricting, saving over $3.3 million.
• Item 59 #4h removes new funding and positions included in the introduced budget for the Office of the Attorney General, saving over $2.8 million.
• Item 106 #4h eliminates new funding included in the introduced budget to develop biotechnology spinoff companies, saving $60 million.
• Item 108 #1h eliminates new funding, of $6.0 million from the general fund each year, for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. The amendment would set the appropriation for the trust fund at $4.0 million, which is equal to the fiscal year 2016 funding level, saving $12 million.
• Item 129 #1h eliminates new funding included in the introduced budget for additional research and advertising at the Tourism Authority, saving $4 million.
• Item 146 #2h requests the elimination of proposed funding increases for the longitudinal data system and the virtual library, saving over $4.9 million. Funds will be re-prioritized within the budget.
• Item 306 #30h eliminates new funding contained in the introduced budget for substance abuse treatment services. Language is also eliminated providing the Department of Medical Assistance Services authority to seek an 1115 demonstration waiver for substance abuse treatment services, saving over $10.9 million.
• Item 476 #1h eliminates funding included in the introduced budget of $2.0 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2017 for development of the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site in Richmond. Funding of $2.0 million for the project is included in the fiscal year 2016 appropriation and the funds have not yet been accessed.

Landes represents the 25^th House District, which includes parts of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham Counties. Landes is currently serving his tenth term in the Virginia House of Delegates.