Senior House Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly have circulated a five-page internal memo that encompasses $1 billion in spending cuts if no new ways of increasing revenue are implemented, the Washington Post first reported recently.
The memo outlines severe cuts to health care programs, public safety, special K-12 programs for struggling students and other services in order for the General Assembly to produce a budget proposal that would levy no new tax increases.
In addition to these cuts, Virginia's colleges and universities may not receive Gov. Mark R. Warner's proposed $90 million in new funding --- and may even face additional funding cuts.
Cuts to such a degree could cause a crisis in state services, according to Delegate Mitch Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville.
The memo "indicates what we've said all along; that we are at a crossroads," Van Yahres said. "There are going to be some very serious cuts in the budget unless the governor gets his revenue enhancement."
The memo was written by the staff of House Appropriations Chair Vincent F. Callahan, R-Fairfax, after Callahan approached the staff to gauge what funding cuts will be needed if no new revenues are generated, Van Yahres said.
Callahan could not be reached for comment.
Van Yahres described the cuts as "draconian."
"We are waiting to see if the Republicans will wake up and see that the governor's plan is necessary," he said.
Van Yahres said he opposes such cuts in funding and that the cuts would be detrimental.
"We can't stand it. This year is a critical year [in balancing the budget]. Otherwise we will be going backwards," he said.
Van Yahres said the cuts would harm revenues from localities, emergency medical services, fire programs, the state police and the department of corrections, adding that such cuts would harm higher education and would lead to the additional loss of faculty members in Virginia's colleges and universities.
Warner's new tax plan calls for increases in cigarette taxes from 2.5 cents per pack to 25 cents per pack, an increase of one cent on sales tax and the lowering of sales tax on food, as well as other tax law changes, according to the governor's Web site.
Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said that the new budget, when balanced, is not going to please everyone.
"People are going to feel the pain in one way or another," Sabato said. "They are going to feel the pain from new taxes or from deep cuts in services."
Sabato said the governor will probably pass parts of his tax plan -- most likely increases on the prices of cigarettes and gasoline.
Read More
Board of Visitors ends support for racial diversity goals
By Brendon Bordwine | 8 hours agoThe newly approved resolution, titled “Advancing Free Inquiry and Viewpoint Diversity at U.Va.”, calls for efforts to create a campus environment that supports open political dialogue, constructive debate and respect for differing perspectives.
Student Council unanimously approves Summer 2025 budget
By Lauren Seeliger | 10 hours agoUtilization rates refer to the amount of money actually used within the allocated budget — increasing these rates to prevent wasted money has been a primary goal of Student Council.
Bert Ellis reflects on time as member of Board of Visitors
By Cecilia Mould | 17 hours agoWhile Ellis entered the Board with certain priorities in mind, he said that most had not been accomplished during his term, without a majority of Youngkin appointees on the Board.
