Get the Facts: What "Pass The Buck" Bob Isn't Telling You About His Budget Proposals
Over the past days, Governor McDonnell has rolled out headline-grabbing announcements of funding increases for higher education, transportation, and the Virginia Retirement System. Unfortunately, McDonnell hasn't been straight with Virginians about where he's getting the funds to pay for these proposals. Without increasing revenue, McDonnell is simply moving funds from one program to another, surreptitiously raiding the General Fund to generate headlines and mislead Virginians--stealing from Peter to pay Paul. Here are the facts "Pass the Buck" Bob doesn't want you to know:
On Transportation Funding:
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $110 million in new funding for roads; more money devoted to transportation from future surpluses and revenue growth
The truth that Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: There is no "new money" for transportation to fund these proposed increases. McDonnell proposes to use "old money" from the general fund--money that's currently allocated to pay for schools, public safety, and health care services.
Likewise, any future surpluses are already statutorily appropriated--altering that allocation to devote more funds to transportation means less money for essential projects like cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
The truth Virginians should know: Pass the Buck Bob is playing a shell game with Virginia's money. Spending more on transportation without raising revenue means cuts elsewhere and CUTS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. McDonnell's proposals will cut spending on education, public safety, and health care to pay for roads.
On Higher Education Funding:
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $100 million in additional funding for higher education
The truth Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: McDonnell has attached strings to this money, requiring colleges and universities to spend the money on his priorities, rather than schools' most pressing financial needs. Additionally, McDonnell diverts more money from the general fund to pay for this expenditure, money that would otherwise be spent on public grade schools, public safety, and health care services.
The truth Virginians should know: Pass the Buck Bob is playing a shell game with Virginia's money. Spending more on higher education without raising revenue means cuts elsewhere and CUTS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. McDonnell's proposals will cut spending on education, public safety, and health care to pay for higher education.
On VRS Funding
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $2.2 billion in funding for the Virginia Retirement System
The truth Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: McDonnell is simply making a down payment on the money he borrowed from VRS last year to balance our budget. His proposal passes the buck for the bulk of this funding on to struggling localities that have few resources for additional payments and may be forced to raise taxes.
The truth Virginians should know: McDonnell is passing the buck on the state's obligations on to localities, placing the burden of paying for state employees' benefits on the shoulders of local real estate taxpayers.
Get the Facts: What "Pass The Buck" Bob Isn't Telling You About His Budget Proposals
Over the past days, Governor McDonnell has rolled out headline-grabbing announcements of funding increases for higher education, transportation, and the Virginia Retirement System. Unfortunately, McDonnell hasn't been straight with Virginians about where he's getting the funds to pay for these proposals. Without increasing revenue, McDonnell is simply moving funds from one program to another, surreptitiously raiding the General Fund to generate headlines and mislead Virginians--stealing from Peter to pay Paul. Here are the facts "Pass the Buck" Bob doesn't want you to know:
On Transportation Funding:
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $110 million in new funding for roads; more money devoted to transportation from future surpluses and revenue growth
The truth that Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: There is no "new money" for transportation to fund these proposed increases. McDonnell proposes to use "old money" from the general fund--money that's currently allocated to pay for schools, public safety, and health care services.
Likewise, any future surpluses are already statutorily appropriated--altering that allocation to devote more funds to transportation means less money for essential projects like cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
The truth Virginians should know: Pass the Buck Bob is playing a shell game with Virginia's money. Spending more on transportation without raising revenue means cuts elsewhere and CUTS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. McDonnell's proposals will cut spending on education, public safety, and health care to pay for roads.
On Higher Education Funding:
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $100 million in additional funding for higher education
The truth Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: McDonnell has attached strings to this money, requiring colleges and universities to spend the money on his priorities, rather than schools' most pressing financial needs. Additionally, McDonnell diverts more money from the general fund to pay for this expenditure, money that would otherwise be spent on public grade schools, public safety, and health care services.
The truth Virginians should know: Pass the Buck Bob is playing a shell game with Virginia's money. Spending more on higher education without raising revenue means cuts elsewhere and CUTS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. McDonnell's proposals will cut spending on education, public safety, and health care to pay for higher education.
On VRS Funding
What Pass the Buck Bob announced: $2.2 billion in funding for the Virginia Retirement System
The truth Pass the Buck Bob doesn't want you to know: McDonnell is simply making a down payment on the money he borrowed from VRS last year to balance our budget. His proposal passes the buck for the bulk of this funding on to struggling localities that have few resources for additional payments and may be forced to raise taxes.
The truth Virginians should know: McDonnell is passing the buck on the state's obligations on to localities, placing the burden of paying for state employees' benefits on the shoulders of local real estate taxpayers.