Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus
Posts tagged Budget
Republicans Add Another $35K to $1.1M in Leg Branch Savings
May 21st
Speaker Howell announced another $35K in savings in the House of Delegates budget for Fiscal Year 2010. That’s on top of the $1.1 million already eliminated from the House operating budget during Fiscal Year 2010.
During his tenure as Speaker, Howell has led the way in reducing Virginia’s per capita expenditures in the legislature from 40th in the Nation to 46th. And, with Senate Democrats running up a tab on the other side of the Capital, you can’t expect much better than that.
See the full press release at the Speaker’s website.
Putney Reports Budget Conference Agreement to the House
Mar 14th
Today, Chairman Lacey E. Putney summarized the provisions of the State Budget conference report adopted by the House and Senate today. This press release includes his prepared remarks.
Republican Successes as 2010 Session Ends
Mar 14th
As the House adjourned sine die, Speaker Howell issued a press release on the many legislative successes of the House in the 2010 session.
The State Budget contained many of the key accomplishments of the session, including rejection of former Governor Kaine’s 17 percent income tax hike, and a reduction in state spending for the first time in recent memory. In fact, the 2010-2012 Biennial Budget returns general fund spending to 2006 levels.
Budget-Busting Senate at it Again
Mar 13th
As the General Assembly goes into overtime, extending its 60-day session by a day to complete consideration of the state budget, Frederick Kunkle’s post on the Washington Post’s Virginia Politics Blog makes clear the contrast on fiscal responsibility between the Virginia House and the Virginia Senate.
The House Republican Caucus followed its long-time principle—no reward for missing a deadline—by proposing House Resolution 40, which the House adopted today. The Resolution eliminates the $135per diem payment for delegates during the extension of the 60-day session.
The Senate, which already gives its members a more generous $169 per diem, took no similar action.
This is the same Senate that dragged its feet on negotiating the state budget with the House. Having come up with over-inflated revenue estimates, the Senate conferees would not engage with the House Budget Conferees in serious discussion about revenue last weekend.
Having created a delay by its inaction, the Senators insist on reaping a reward for missing the budget deadline established on December 11 (See House Joint Resolution 9).
Legislators who live outside the Richmond metro area receive per diem payments to cover the expenses of living in Richmond during the legislative session. Under the Federal tax code, per diem in excess of actual costs can be kept as tax-free income.
UPDATE: See what others are saying about the Senate’s action: Too Conservative, Bearing Drift, SwacGirl at Virginia Virtucon
Special Budget Information Page
Mar 9th
We’ve posted a special page at http://www.vahousegop.com/budget/ highlighting House actions and House Conferee perspectives on the 2010-2012 Biennial Budget. It includes YouTube videos, speech transcripts, and other critical information.
Sherwood Details Public Safety Commitment
Mar 4th
Del. Beverly Sherwood (R-Frederick) addressed the House on the strong support for public safety in the House Budget. Del. Sherwood, who chairs both the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee and the Subcommittee on Public Safety of the House Appropriations Committee, notes the restoration of critical funding cut by former Gov. Kaine’s proposed budget–funding for Sheriffs, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, reinstated State Police trooper schools, and key support for local police departments.
Check out Sherwood’s speech on YouTube.
A transcript of Delegate Sherwood’s speech follows: