Kory’s Report from Richmond: McDonnell dropped the ball on transportation
For a state with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,”
the commonwealth of Virginia places a surprising level of budgetary discretion
in the hands of its governor.
the commonwealth of Virginia places a surprising level of budgetary discretion
in the hands of its governor.
After a grueling three-month campaign for
sanity, waged primarily by the Senate Democrats, weeks later than expected, the
General Assembly passed and sent a budget to Gov. McDonnell. The Senate was
able to mitigate some of the corrosive impacts of the governor’s proposed
budget by restoring $45 million in human services and $215 million in public
education over the biennium. These amounts will impact thousands of Virginians,
but they represent less than one-half of 1 percent of the $85 billion budget.
sanity, waged primarily by the Senate Democrats, weeks later than expected, the
General Assembly passed and sent a budget to Gov. McDonnell. The Senate was
able to mitigate some of the corrosive impacts of the governor’s proposed
budget by restoring $45 million in human services and $215 million in public
education over the biennium. These amounts will impact thousands of Virginians,
but they represent less than one-half of 1 percent of the $85 billion budget.
Up next is the final step in the process: The
General Assembly next week considers a stack of unilateral amendments McDonnell
“recommends” to the document we sent him. We will consider 100 or so proposed
amendments. The governor’s recommendations become part of the budget unless
voted down by a two-thirds majority in the House of Delegates or the Senate.
So, as a practical matter, the governor almost certainly has the votes to get
what he wants.
General Assembly next week considers a stack of unilateral amendments McDonnell
“recommends” to the document we sent him. We will consider 100 or so proposed
amendments. The governor’s recommendations become part of the budget unless
voted down by a two-thirds majority in the House of Delegates or the Senate.
So, as a practical matter, the governor almost certainly has the votes to get
what he wants.
The proposed amendments include changes in
agreed-upon funding levels, changes to program priorities, and even changes to
policy, with a modicum of budget sleight-of-hand to cover additional service
reductions to the commonwealth. Overall, net dollar changes are not enormous,
which is not particularly surprising, given the partisan fervor that his
supporters in the General Assembly applied toward sticking with their “no new
taxes” agenda in creating the budget.
agreed-upon funding levels, changes to program priorities, and even changes to
policy, with a modicum of budget sleight-of-hand to cover additional service
reductions to the commonwealth. Overall, net dollar changes are not enormous,
which is not particularly surprising, given the partisan fervor that his
supporters in the General Assembly applied toward sticking with their “no new
taxes” agenda in creating the budget.
To appreciate the unilateral power the governor
can exercise in this process, interested Virginians should spend a few minutes
reading through the text of the proposed amendments. Some of the changes seem highly
technical, involve large dollar amounts, and are not explained at all. Some
seem small and incongruous. For example, amendment 5 to HB1300 “provides
$110,000 in additional appropriation to cover unanticipated costs incurred
during the transition of information technology oversight from the Virginia
Information Technology Agency to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind.”
Unanticipated? Instead of hiring two more teachers for the same amount?
can exercise in this process, interested Virginians should spend a few minutes
reading through the text of the proposed amendments. Some of the changes seem highly
technical, involve large dollar amounts, and are not explained at all. Some
seem small and incongruous. For example, amendment 5 to HB1300 “provides
$110,000 in additional appropriation to cover unanticipated costs incurred
during the transition of information technology oversight from the Virginia
Information Technology Agency to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind.”
Unanticipated? Instead of hiring two more teachers for the same amount?
One of the signature changes included in the
amendments is the proposal to reverse funding cuts in the “Governor’s
Opportunity Fund,” increasing funding from the proposed $6 million to $12
million that the governor can use at his discretion to attract job creators to
the commonwealth.
amendments is the proposal to reverse funding cuts in the “Governor’s
Opportunity Fund,” increasing funding from the proposed $6 million to $12
million that the governor can use at his discretion to attract job creators to
the commonwealth.
Having a slush fund that the governor can use to
entice a movie producer to film in Richmond or a warehouse distribution
facility to locate in Virginia Beach may seem appealing on the surface. But
even apart from the many ways such funding could be abused, this amendment
seems to me to be a transparent, partisan effort to play the “jobs card,”
distracting from the far more urgent, higher-impact challenges of investment in
transportation infrastructure, K-12 schools, and higher education.
entice a movie producer to film in Richmond or a warehouse distribution
facility to locate in Virginia Beach may seem appealing on the surface. But
even apart from the many ways such funding could be abused, this amendment
seems to me to be a transparent, partisan effort to play the “jobs card,”
distracting from the far more urgent, higher-impact challenges of investment in
transportation infrastructure, K-12 schools, and higher education.
Transportation, once again, is the elephant in
the room for the 2012 General Assembly legislative session. On this challenge,
I think both the General Assembly and the governor rate a great big “F,” with a
dunce cap.
the room for the 2012 General Assembly legislative session. On this challenge,
I think both the General Assembly and the governor rate a great big “F,” with a
dunce cap.
Almost without exception, my friends and associates, progressive and
conservative, consider increased investment in transportation infrastructure a
no-brainer. Yes, good roads and safe bridges, cost-effective mass
transportation, and smart development policies, cost money. As time passes and
the problem increases, real solutions cost even more.
conservative, consider increased investment in transportation infrastructure a
no-brainer. Yes, good roads and safe bridges, cost-effective mass
transportation, and smart development policies, cost money. As time passes and
the problem increases, real solutions cost even more.
Whether transportation
investment is based on new, dedicated funding sources, or simply leverages the commonwealth’s
immaculate credit rating, the point is that “investment” is NOT identical to “consumption.”
We invest because we anticipate economic returns in the future. No investment,
no returns. And, this fact is as true in southwest Virginia as it is in
Northern Virginia and the Tidewater region. By the way, investment in
infrastructure is also a massively effective job creator in the short run, as
well.
investment is based on new, dedicated funding sources, or simply leverages the commonwealth’s
immaculate credit rating, the point is that “investment” is NOT identical to “consumption.”
We invest because we anticipate economic returns in the future. No investment,
no returns. And, this fact is as true in southwest Virginia as it is in
Northern Virginia and the Tidewater region. By the way, investment in
infrastructure is also a massively effective job creator in the short run, as
well.
I will be in Richmond next week to debate this
last step in the budget process. I’m sure my enthusiasm will increase, but as I
review these proposals today, I can’t help but be amazed that Virginians
tolerate politicians who scratch their heads and maintain there’s nothing we
can do.
last step in the budget process. I’m sure my enthusiasm will increase, but as I
review these proposals today, I can’t help but be amazed that Virginians
tolerate politicians who scratch their heads and maintain there’s nothing we
can do.
Kaye Kory represents
the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.
the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.
7 responses to “Kory’s Report from Richmond: McDonnell dropped the ball on transportation”
Leave a reply
I see Kays pals in Fairfax raised our taxes again. One party politics = no choice.
Thanks Kay for your hard work in trying to do something sensible in Richmond. Its too bad that legislators in Richmond including our Governor spend so much time thinking about social issues. Unfortunately, no one thinks far enough into the future to see we will eventually have to pay more for services in the state and the county just to keep the basic quality of life that we all need and want–roads, police, etc. Everybody wants it all for nothing — not one more cent or I'll vote you out. Ridiculous!
I do not mind needed increases if our taxes are spent efficiently and practically for the good of all citizens. However, politicians today in both federal & local levels spend unwisely & inefficiently becoming out of control. Uncontrolled spending on interest groups, illegals, pork projects, re-election gimmicks, self-interests, etc on BOTH political parties is the problem.
Another award winning headline that distorts the truth. No wonder the Washington Post calls your blog a must read. What an unbalaced article. Might stop reading your blog.
That is a good reason to avoid Kayes brand of politics. To date, her only achievement as a delegate has been to rail against the GOP. In other words, she's Bob Hull in a skirt. Given her proclivity for pairing with Vivian Watt in supporting tax hikes, I'd say that might be a good thing. The Ffx County Board will continue to raise taxes regardless of how much money comes up here from Richmond. So, I'd rather keep state taxes low by voting Republican.
As did the republican board in Loudoun. Same budget dynamics driving it, not the party in power.
I dont know. A one-half cent hike in property tax rate shouldnt break anybodys bank. Good services cost. Gotta' keep that School Board budget growing.