A prudent state budget is adopted

Del. Ed Scott, R-Madison
Published: March 18, 2008

With five days beyond the 60 normally allotted for an even year General Assembly session, the House and Senate last week reached an agreement on a budget for the next two years. The 2008-2010 budget is fiscally responsible and focused on the core services of state government.

While a slowing economy did necessitate a withdrawal  from Virginia's Rainy Day Fund, the amount is approximately 30 percent less than Gov. Kaine proposed. With continued economic turmoil, this is a more prudent number.

Virginia's economy is growing at a rate of about 2.3 percent. The adopted 2009 fiscal year budget assumes revenue growth of 2.2 percent. This is a realistic estimate based on current economic performance.

However, in 2010 fiscal year the budget assumes revenue growth of 6.8 percent. A number of legislators, including your delegate, are concerned that this number may be overly optimistic. Clearly, the governor's early revenue projections for this budget were not sustainable and resulted in challenging budget decisions for legislators this year.

This budget does have reductions in local aid of $50 million annually. This will be implemented with the local governments electing how best to absorb these reductions. The budget does fully fund the rebenchmarking of the Standards of Quality for public education and increases the amount of money coming back to the 30th District for K-12 education.

The budget provides additional funding for higher education with a focus on moderating tuition increases and addressing base operating needs, financial aid and research.

Funding is also provided to prevent Internet crimes against children as well as to provide law enforcement officers with immigration law training and Spanish language skills.

Del. Ed Scott, R-Madison, represents Culpeper in the General Assembly's House of Delegates. E-mail delescott@ house.state.va.us or call 825-6400.