Virginia House of Delegates
RICHMOND
February 8, 2009
Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or williamjhowell.org
Statement of Speaker William J. Howell
– On House Budget Amendments' Unanimous Approval by House Appropriations Committee –
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan and unanimous vote of 24-0 to to approve House Bill 1600, Amendments to the current 2008-2010 Biennial Budget:
“The ongoing economic downturn presented members of the House Appropriations Committee with serious challenges and difficult choices. Chairman Putney and the members of his committee, on a bipartisan basis, have responded with a responsible, pragmatic and fiscally sound package of amendments to the existing state budget.
“Our number one goal for the Commonwealth right now is balancing the budget without any earmarks, protecting core services to the extent possible and enacting policies that hasten job creation and economic recovery. The House budget includes a number of key initiatives to help meet that goal:
· $65 Million Economic Contingency Fund: Because our economy continues to struggle and another downward revision by the Governor of state revenues is imminent later this month, our spending blueprint wisely sets aside $65 million in a reserve fund for the current fiscal year 2009 in case things get worse.
· Job Creating Capital Building Projects: Our budget accelerates the timeline on five capital projects for Virginia’s public colleges and universities worth $230 million in construction value by leveraging $12.2 million to help create an estimated 3,400 new jobs and advance higher learning opportunities.
· Tourism & Marketing: Recognizing the importance of tourism to Virginia’s economy, our budget provides an additional $3 million in funding to help enhance the vitality of this key component of our economy. We also restore $500,000 to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to help them market Virginia’s #1 ranking in the country as the best place for business to do business.
“Considering the strict restraints on revenues, the Committee has done an exceptional job producing a plan with benefits for primary, secondary and higher education which provide vital skills and learning for Virginia’s workforce:
· Higher Education: In today’s economy, a college degree is more important than ever for success. Governor Kaine cut higher education severely, but House budget writers have been able to restore $50 million. And, we structured $12.5 million for enrollment growth to make possible additional seats for more deserving in-state Virginia students who want to attend our excellent colleges, universities and community colleges.
· K-12 Education: Our budget’s Teacher and Support Staff Enhanced Retirement Incentive Plan provides local school divisions with a tool that will retain quality in the classroom, lessen the possibility of having to layoff younger teachers and other support employees and help Virginia’s schools better manage their budgets.
“Some of the best news in the budget proposal by the House Appropriations Committee is their decision to reaffirm and strengthen Virginia’s commitment to mental health care:
· 400 More MR Waivers: By not only restoring the 200 Mental Retardation (MR) waiver slots that the Governor proposed to cut, but also increasing by another 200 the number of MR waivers available in 2010, the $18,6 million in state and federal funding in our budget demonstrates clearly our strong desire to adhere to the state’s responsibilities to Virginians who must cope with the daunting challenge of having a family member who is intellectually or developmentally disabled. As House Republicans have done for several years now, we are making it a budget priority to fund and strengthen the MR Waiver program, which is a home and community based program that funds services to help individuals with intellectual disability remain in the community and avoid institutional care.
· Funding for Autism: Our budget also provides $1.5 million for early intervention services for developmentally delayed children, including those with autism and autism spectrum disorders.
“The Appropriations Committee also has made it clear that the House intends to keep its commitment to public safety:
· Sheriffs and Commonwealth’s Attorneys: Eschewing Governor Kaine’s risky scheme to provide early release for certain felons was an obvious and necessary change that the House budget makes. I’m also pleased that House budget writers were able to offset a portion of the Kaine Administration’s proposed cuts by restoring over $9 million to sheriffs and commonwealth’s attorneys, all of whom are on the front lines in the battle to keep Virginia’s families, neighborhoods and businesses safe.
“By providing Virginia with budget changes that protect core services while encouraging an expedited recovery, Chairman Putney and the members of the House Appropriations Committee have served the Commonwealth and their fellow delegates very well under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I congratulate them on their accomplishment and look forward to the passage of House Bill 1600 by the full House later this week.”
