Virginia's budget stalemate continues, with no end in sight.
After a final lengthy session, the General Assembly adjourned yesterday without passing a budget for the next two years, but Gov. Mark R. Warner immediately recalled legislators for a special session set to begin today.
Despite the opportunity for renewed budget negotiations, neither side has budged from its position. The House's five negotiators say their proposal reflects public opinion and keeps tax increases to a minimum, while the Senate's four negotiators defend their proposal as the only one that will fully fund necessary state services for the next two years.
Although the need to call a special session to pass a budget in Virginia is unprecedented in modern times, according to Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato, it will have little practical effect if the General Assembly is able to agree on a budget before July 1, when the government effectively would shut down without a decision.
"What really matters is that they reach an agreement," Sabato said. "If they reach an agreement and it's seen as responsible and acceptable to the House and Senate and governor, it won't matter."
The legislature, however, has already passed the scheduled end of the 2004 session. Delegates and senators had agreed to extend the session from last Saturday to yesterday in order to reach a budget agreement.
Yesterday, the Senate voted 31-5 to extend the session to Friday. The House, however, rejected the extension by a 27-62 vote. The Senate also unanimously agreed on a resolution urging the governor to convene a special session. Despite a majority vote, the House was initially unable to summon the required 67 votes to pass the same resolution, but later overwhelmingly approved the special session resolution.
Warner's proposed budget, which initiated the current budget debate, may provide a possible starting point for a compromise, Qualls said. Warner's proposed $1 billion increase lies between the House's $520 million increase and the Senate's, which would add $4 billion to the budget.
House Democratic spokesperson Gail Nardi said House Democrats would continue to support Warner's budget.
"We're the governor's team in the two chambers," Nardi said. "That's an important role."
Representatives for Republican leaders in the House and Senate could not be reached for comment.
Warner spokesperson Ellen Qualls said the governor would submit his original budget for consideration at the beginning of the special session.
"He's calling them right back and he's sending his budget down because he believes it's an excellent starting point for a compromise and it embodies tax reform that will make the tax code more fair," Qualls said.
Qualls added, however, that Warner was limited in what he could do to resolve the impasse.
"They have to come to an agreement between the two chambers," Qualls said. "You can lead horses to water, but you can't make them drink."
Sabato said Warner's strategy was wise, given the determination of House Republicans.
"He's wise to let them fight it out among themselves," Sabato said. "They're Republicans and especially in the House they're not going to listen to him even if he suggests a new idea."
Despite the stalemate, legislators have several months to reach an agreement before July 1, when the 2004 fiscal year begins.
"It's way too early to panic," Sabato said. "It's a long, long time from St. Patrick's Day to July 1st."
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