“Disingenuous Language” But Even More “Harmful Actions” in Governor’s Statement and Budget
Richmond – State Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today sharply criticized the governor’s laudatory comments about a budget surplus. Senator McEachin said, “Governor McDonnell knows all too well that talk of any surplus is simply disingenuous. This is like any working Virginian claiming a surplus when he or she gets his paycheck, but before he deposits it in the bank and actually pays all his bills that are due, or in the case of the Commonwealth, overdue.
“Not only has the Governor balanced the budget on the back of Virginians through local governments by insisting they pay more or cut programs, he neglects to mention all the outstanding obligations that have been incurred. Virginia has $600 million in unfunded VRS liabilities and over $3 billion issued in road bonds. Those are outstanding bills that will need to be paid.
“In the meantime, localities find themselves without the resources to take care of their residents’ basic needs, such as education and public safety. The governor has simply forced local officials to choose which programs to reduce or send dollars to the state to preserve those essential services. These actions are harmful to our citizens!
“If this supposed surplus has any basis in reality, either the funding should be restored or, at a minimum, the state should not be asking strapped local governments to reimburse them.
“Passing the burden to local governments, leaving them the choice to either cut basic services or raise taxes on their citizens to pay for those necessary services, and then proclaiming a surplus is not only disingenuous but displays total disregard for the important needs of Virginians. Public safety, children’s services and education have all been victimized by Governor McDonnell’s misleading and illusory form of supposed budget-balancing,” Senator McEachin concluded.
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