Legislative Update; June 9, 2006
There have been a number of happenings this week concerning budget matters. First, on Tuesday, June 6th, the House and Senate considered the Governor’s proposed amendments to the caboose budget which is the budget that completes the current fiscal year ending on June 30th. There were some changes to the Governor’s amendments made by the House and Senate. These changes passed and were sent back to the Governor.
Next, on Wednesday, June 7th, the budget negotiators held a meeting as Governor Kaine, Senator Chichester and Delegate Callahan flew to New York to meet with the various financial institutions that determine the state’s credit rating. The folks from these institutions indicated that they were not overly concerned about the state being nearly three months late in completing a budget but they would closely monitor the situation if a budget was not passed before July 1st.
The question now being asked is what will happen to state services if there is not a budget passed by July 1st ? I believe strongly that we need to complete the budget now before the July 1st deadline. I have communicated these thoughts to the budget negotiators in the strongest terms I know how. If the state is faced with no budget on July 1st the Governor will act to continue state services and provide payments to our local governments. While the Attorney General has ruled that the Governor does not have the authority to spend money without a budget from the legislature most folks agree that the Governor has the authority to exercise certain powers to protect public health, safety and welfare of Virginia citizens. It takes money to do that and while the budget that authorizes the spending of that money may not exist I do not believe anyone is going to stop the Governor in exercising his powers.
Both the Senate Finance Chairman – Senator Chichester and House Appropriation Chairman – Delegate Callahan have indicated they are prepared to offer legislation that would continue to fund state government. In fact Delegate Robert Marshall has just submitted a bill that would fund state government and its obligations to local governments if we do not meet the July 1st deadline.
If the legislation to fund government without an adopted budget is passed it will be the first time in the history of Virginia that the legislature has not met its obligation to pass a budget. This also sets the precedent that instead of making the tough decisions needed to pass a budget we will opt for the temporary funding mechanism similar to what is called a continuing resolution that is used by the U.S. Congress. This would be a significant event in the course of Virginia’s legislative history. I have considerable concern about using this mechanism as opposed to upholding our responsibility to adopt a budget through the regular course of the legislative session.
The budget negotiators are meeting as I write and are deciding if they should meet over the weekend. It is my hope they do and that this leads us to a budget to consider at our next legislative session which will occur at 5 p.m. on Tuesday June 13th.
Back in the district this week I had the opportunity to speak at the Woodland Academy’s graduation. I also gave the commencement address for Colonial Beach High School’s graduation on Sunday, June 11th.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the graduates in the district and throughout Virginia. I applaud the hard work you have put forth to accomplish your goals to this point and wish you great success as your journeys continue.
As always, if I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at my district office by phone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.
Next, on Wednesday, June 7th, the budget negotiators held a meeting as Governor Kaine, Senator Chichester and Delegate Callahan flew to New York to meet with the various financial institutions that determine the state’s credit rating. The folks from these institutions indicated that they were not overly concerned about the state being nearly three months late in completing a budget but they would closely monitor the situation if a budget was not passed before July 1st.
The question now being asked is what will happen to state services if there is not a budget passed by July 1st ? I believe strongly that we need to complete the budget now before the July 1st deadline. I have communicated these thoughts to the budget negotiators in the strongest terms I know how. If the state is faced with no budget on July 1st the Governor will act to continue state services and provide payments to our local governments. While the Attorney General has ruled that the Governor does not have the authority to spend money without a budget from the legislature most folks agree that the Governor has the authority to exercise certain powers to protect public health, safety and welfare of Virginia citizens. It takes money to do that and while the budget that authorizes the spending of that money may not exist I do not believe anyone is going to stop the Governor in exercising his powers.
Both the Senate Finance Chairman – Senator Chichester and House Appropriation Chairman – Delegate Callahan have indicated they are prepared to offer legislation that would continue to fund state government. In fact Delegate Robert Marshall has just submitted a bill that would fund state government and its obligations to local governments if we do not meet the July 1st deadline.
If the legislation to fund government without an adopted budget is passed it will be the first time in the history of Virginia that the legislature has not met its obligation to pass a budget. This also sets the precedent that instead of making the tough decisions needed to pass a budget we will opt for the temporary funding mechanism similar to what is called a continuing resolution that is used by the U.S. Congress. This would be a significant event in the course of Virginia’s legislative history. I have considerable concern about using this mechanism as opposed to upholding our responsibility to adopt a budget through the regular course of the legislative session.
The budget negotiators are meeting as I write and are deciding if they should meet over the weekend. It is my hope they do and that this leads us to a budget to consider at our next legislative session which will occur at 5 p.m. on Tuesday June 13th.
Back in the district this week I had the opportunity to speak at the Woodland Academy’s graduation. I also gave the commencement address for Colonial Beach High School’s graduation on Sunday, June 11th.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the graduates in the district and throughout Virginia. I applaud the hard work you have put forth to accomplish your goals to this point and wish you great success as your journeys continue.
As always, if I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at my district office by phone, 804-493-0508, or email, robwittman@verizon.net.
posted by Blake Hite at 7:44 AM
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