The Virginia House of Delegates passed a two-year state budget Thursday that includes no fee or tax increases, eliminates state liabilities, reduces borrowing, makes significant investments into K-12 education, holds tuition increases down, invests in economic development while increasing accountability, provides funding to help combat domestic violence, and strengthens the healthcare safety net.
The budget bill, HB30, passed the House 98 to 2.
“The budget passed today is a reflection of the priorities of the House of Delegates and the priorities of Virginians,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “The investments into K-12 and higher education, the healthcare safety net, and economic development demonstrate that the House of Delegates is governing on issues that matter most to Virginians. This budget goes a long way toward securing a better and brighter future for Virginia families. I want to thank Chairman Jones, Vice-Chairman Landes, and the entire Appropriations Committee for their hard work on producing this budget.”
“Our budget is a strong conservative budget that invests in the core functions of government while remaining structurally balanced,” said Majority Leader M. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights). “While Washington drowns in debts and deficits, the Virginia House of Delegates makes targeted and strategic investments without breaking the bank. The budget that was passed today will help make college more affordable, give localities flexibility in K-12 education, and help spur private-sector economic growth.”
“The House’s longstanding track record of cautious and conservative budgeting continues with the budget we passed today,” said House Appropriations Chairman S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk). “Our proposal takes significant steps to secure the financial future of the Commonwealth. By eliminating future liabilities, restoring our rainy day fund, and reducing the size of the bond package, we are protecting Virginia’s status as one of the best managed states in the country.”
“The House is leading on important issues like education, healthcare, and domestic violence,” said Vice-Chairman Landes. “The budget that passed today makes important investments while remaining balanced and protecting taxpayers. Our budget does not include Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion and instead builds on our past work to strengthen the healthcare safety net. This is the right approach for the Commonwealth. I’m proud of the budget we passed today.”
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