Speaker's Office
Virginia House of Delegates
February 12, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or williamjhowell.org
Statement of Speaker William J. Howell
– On Bipartisan House Approval of Amendments to the Current State Budget –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the House of Delegates gave bipartisan approval – on vote of 88 to 11 – to approve House Bill 1600, Amendments to the current 2008-2010 Biennial Budget:
“Today, the House of Delegates fulfilled its responsibility to balance Virginia’s state spending blueprint by approving a package of fiscally sound amendments to Virginia’s already existing 2008-2010 Biennial Budget. The strong bipartisan support for this plan is testimony to the ability of Chairman Putney and all of the members of the House Appropriations Committee to come together and work cooperatively in doing the people’s business.
“The members of the House have not shrunken from their responsibility, choosing instead to face the difficult budgetary choices brought on by a challenging economic recession. While some might find it tempting to postpone these responsibilities in the hopes of more encouraging news or relief, Virginia’s Constitution and the procedures by which the General Assembly operates compel us to discharge our duties with prudence and pragmatism. The House has done just that, we have done our job and I regret that the Democratic led Senate chose a different course.
“By approving budget changes that protect core services while encouraging an expedited economic recovery, the House of Delegates has adopted a plan that will aid Virginia in hastening a more robust recovery. I congratulate them on their accomplishment and look forward to completing the process of amending the budget on schedule by adjournment of this 2009 Session on February 28.”
