"The Governor's claims to fiscal responsibility are disingenuous at best," said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA. "Our debts and obligations far outstrip the projected budget surplus. The Governor has essentially run up the state's credit card and now wants a pat on the back for leaving a few dollars in the bank account."
Contact: Anna Scholl (434) 218-2113
Charlottesville, VA - Governor McDonnell today announced Virginia has a budget "surplus" of $311 million. ProgressVA sharply criticized the Governor's handling of the state budget for failing to fully fund the state's obligation to the Virginia Retirement System while also cutting funds from vital public safety and health programs.
"The Governor's claims to fiscal responsibility are disingenuous at best," said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA. "Our debts and obligations far outstrip the projected budget surplus. The Governor has essentially run up the state's credit card and now wants a pat on the back for leaving a few dollars in the bank account."
While Virginia is constitutionally required to have a balanced budget, the burden of that balance has been laid on the backs of middle-class workers. The Governor's pension reform legislation has reduced the take-home pay for thousands of state employees while continuing the to leave the pension funds of teachers and police officers drastically underfunded. At the same time the state has cut general fund aid to localities, leaving localities with a choice between slashing police officers, school teachers, and children's programs from their budgets or increasing property taxes.
In addition to those cuts, Governor McDonnell has run up the state's credit card, pushing a $3 billion transportation bond plan through the General Assembly and putting off millions of dollars in contributions to the Virginia Retirement System.
"Its time for Governor McDonnell to level with taxpayers about the state's finances," said Scholl.
About ProgressVA
ProgressVA is a progressive multi-issue advocacy organization. Year round, ProgressVA works to engage citizens from across the state around issues of immediate state or local concern. Our mission is to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems.
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ProgressVA Criticizes Governor for Disingenuous Budget Claims
"The Governor's claims to fiscal responsibility are disingenuous at best," said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA. "Our debts and obligations far outstrip the projected budget surplus. The Governor has essentially run up the state's credit card and now wants a pat on the back for leaving a few dollars in the bank account."
For Immediate Release
Contact: Anna Scholl (434) 218-2113
Charlottesville, VA - Governor McDonnell today announced Virginia has a budget "surplus" of $311 million. ProgressVA sharply criticized the Governor's handling of the state budget for failing to fully fund the state's obligation to the Virginia Retirement System while also cutting funds from vital public safety and health programs.
"The Governor's claims to fiscal responsibility are disingenuous at best," said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA. "Our debts and obligations far outstrip the projected budget surplus. The Governor has essentially run up the state's credit card and now wants a pat on the back for leaving a few dollars in the bank account."
While Virginia is constitutionally required to have a balanced budget, the burden of that balance has been laid on the backs of middle-class workers. The Governor's pension reform legislation has reduced the take-home pay for thousands of state employees while continuing the to leave the pension funds of teachers and police officers drastically underfunded. At the same time the state has cut general fund aid to localities, leaving localities with a choice between slashing police officers, school teachers, and children's programs from their budgets or increasing property taxes.
In addition to those cuts, Governor McDonnell has run up the state's credit card, pushing a $3 billion transportation bond plan through the General Assembly and putting off millions of dollars in contributions to the Virginia Retirement System.
"Its time for Governor McDonnell to level with taxpayers about the state's finances," said Scholl.
About ProgressVA
ProgressVA is a progressive multi-issue advocacy organization. Year round, ProgressVA works to engage citizens from across the state around issues of immediate state or local concern. Our mission is to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems.
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