Here’s a link to the Virginia Municipal League “What’s New” Page. The item currently at the top is a budget impact analysis (word format) of Gov. Kaine’s budget. The VML is an association of local governments so their viewpoint is similarly inclined. From my quick read, there’s a lot of fun and games in that budget, not the least of which is the ongoing elimination of funding to localities for state mandated spending. It’s easy to keep taxes low at the state level when you do that!
The other big tamale in there is the transfer of the car tax to an income tax. I concur with others that say that big changes are likely from the incoming administration so I don’t know how important this draft is but thought I would put it up here so everyone sees the same stuff we see.
December 29, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Andy, thanks for the posting! It is an interesting read – especially when one runs through the linked presentations. One of them had a great notation about how the “all the low hanging fruit has been picked” and now the tougher choices have to be made. Of course, that was countered with that much of that low fruit – meaning such programs as Human Services – has increasing population or federal mandates with it. Nice to see though several suggestions on reorganizing functions in agencies – I’ve always said get rid of some of the duplicate overhead, and there will be some savings.
The outgoing Governor’s proposed budget also gets hit with the incoming Governor’s proposed to reform the budget process itself. McDonnell’s reference to the Wilder Commission makes another interesting footnote for thought on how our new Governor will approach things. Gonna be an interesting year to say the least!
December 30, 2009 at 9:19 am
RB:
The VML stuff tends to be pretty pragmatic. My friends Mr. Miller and Colgan might see it somewhat differently but it typically relates to funding and who is responsible for what.
The “low hanging fruit” phrase has become a talking point with the Richmond crowd – they’re really pushing to communicate to the people that these budget cuts are going to hurt.
I haven’t studied the budget reform deal much but it was suggested some years ago and never enacted. That leaves me to believe that there is something more there than meets the eye. Seems simple enough though….
December 30, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Off topic,yet…
“RING IN NEW YEAR
The advent of the new year will be the occasion for
numerous social festivities in Manassas tomorrow,
although the event will not generally be observed as
a holiday. The stores will be remain open. The
postoffice will be open from 9 AM in the morning until
noon and from 5PM to 6PM in the afternoon.”
The Manassas Democrat
(12-30-1909)
The paper’s front page featured a drawing of a bent elderly
figure with cane -1909 – walking into a sunset
while a smiling baby -1910 – arrived in Manassas via
biplane.