McDonnell offers up budget amendments
Last night, Gov. Bob McDonnell submitted his amendments to the budget passed by the General Assembly during the 2012 special session, meeting his agreed-upon seven-day deadline for reviewing the delayed budget bill.
The governor sent in $43.9 million in budget amendments prior to the midnight deadline for executive action. Read more
Finally! Legislators agree on state budget
A day after deadlocking once again on the $85 billion spending plan for the 2012-2014 biennium, a sudden break by Democratic State Sen. Chuck Colgan from what had been unified Democratic Party opposition to the state budget led to its passage on Wednesday.
Colgan, D-Prince William, told reporters after the 21-19 vote in the Senate in which he was the lone Democrat to side with the 20 Senate Republicans in favor of the spending plan that he “didn’t feel very good about not having a budget.” Read more
Senate Dems reject latest budget proposal
State Senate Democrats voted Tuesday against the state budget conference report because they said it did not properly address funding for projects in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
“The issue here is the lack of transportation funding in two different regions of the state,” said State Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax). “Rail to Dulles will be an economic bonanza because of the jobs it will bring the Commonwealth. And yet some do not want to fund this project properly. The state has only contributed $200 million. Currently $150 million is pledged, but there are all sorts of rules attached to it. The state must make a substantial contribution to this vital project.” Read more
House GOP urges passage of state budget
Ahead of tomorrow’s crucial vote on the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Year 2012-14 budget, House Republicans emphasized the importance of quickly passing Virginia’s biennial budget.
House and Senate Budget conferees agreed to the conference report on the $85 billion budget before the Easter Holiday and localities, agencies and schools across the Commonwealth are waiting for final passage before creating their respective budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Read more
House Dems call for government reform, budget transparency
Today, the House Democratic Caucus’ newly installed Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville), Caucus Chair Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax), and House Democratic leaders from across the Commonwealth released the House Democratic Caucus’ agenda on Government Reform and Budget Transparency for the 2012 Session.
Constituents in Virginia have called for a state government that works more efficiently while reducing costs.
Today, the House Democrats propose initiatives in two areas:
- - Improving the way the General Assembly and state government works
- - Improving the way we budget
McDonnell: Current state-budget system ‘needs to be reformed’
Gov.-elect will propose moving development of budget to odd-numbered years
Statement by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell
www.bobmcdonnell.com
On Friday, Dec. 18th, Gov. Tim Kaine proposed his biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. The governor made his proposal with only 28 days left in his single four-year term, carrying out his obligation as determined by our current budgetary calendar.
Unfortunately, the current budget development process leads to a situation, repeated every four years, in which the consideration, debate and adoption of one governor’s proposed budget takes place during the administration of his successor. Thus, one out of every two budgets submitted requires no subsequent accountability or management from the governor who proposed it.
The current system also requires a new governor to potentially submit sweeping changes to a budget just days after taking office with limited preparation and input. A sitting governor usually takes many months to analyze and develop a comprehensive state budget. It is likewise burdensome on the General Assembly to have to review and consider the potentially divergent budget recommendations of two governors in such a short period of time. Read more
Focus | ‘One governor at a time’
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
With AFP Video
“Obviously, there’s only one governor,” and Tim Kaine is the governor of Virginia through early January, and it’s up to Kaine and his staff to put together a proposed budget for the 2010-2012 biennium.
Kaine told VirginiaPoliticsToday.com that he met last week with Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell to get McDonnell’s input on the new state budget, but ultimately it’s his call as to what he will hand over to the General Assembly for review. Read more
