Six representatives from the Virginia Senate and six from the Virginia House of Delegates met yesterday in a special session, aiming to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the Virginia budget which would last for the next two fiscal years.
The Senate previously passed a version of Gov. Bob McDonnell's original $85 billion budget proposal but increased funding for education, providing $60 million for schools in northern Virginia to raise teacher salaries to make jobs in the education sector more competitive with other industries.
"The governor's budget was not fair to all Virginians," said Joshua Karp, spokesperson for the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus. Karp said the budget committee is working to resolve differences in how each version of the budget funds transportation, education and welfare programs.
Transportation is perhaps the biggest divide between the House and the Senate versions of the budget, Karp said.
"The House wants to take money from the general fund [for transportation projects]," Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, said. "That's a non-starter in the Senate."
The Senate's budget proposal includes construction on the Hampton Roads and Norfolk area tunnels. "We have tried to come up with funding to ensure no tolls will be established until the projects are completed," Deeds said. The budget also offers a $300 million boost to the Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport.
Karp and Deeds said they believe the budget will pass.
"They are making progress; it will take a few more weeks," Del. David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, said. Legislators hope to pass a budget before the General Assembly reconvenes for its regular session April 18.
McDonnell spokesperson Jeff Caldwell, as well as Republican state senators Walter Stosch, Ryan McDougle, Thomas Norment, Emmett Hanger and Jill Vogel, could not be reached for comment. Speaker of the House William Howell declined to comment.
-compiled by Donald Sensabaugh
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