RICHMOND
State spending cuts could range from 2 percent to 20 percent and may include layoffs, but cuts to schools will probably be delayed to next year, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday.
Every line item in the two-year, $77 billion budget is subject to cuts, Kaine said during his monthly radio call-in show.
State officials are wrestling with how to trim $2 billion to $2.9 billion from the two-year spending plan, which took effect July 1, after they were told this week that weakening state economy will dramatically cut the amount of revenue coming from state sales taxes and income taxes.
State agency chiefs have been asked by Kaine to submit by today proposals for slicing spending by 5 percent, by 10 percent and by 15 percent.
“Some agencies may get cut 20 percent and some may get cut 2 percent and some we may decide we need to add a little bit to. I end up not making decisions across the board because not everything is equally important,” Kaine said.
He said that unlike previous austerity moves, even core services that provide society’s safety net are “under the microscope.”
“Education, public safety and health care, especially for the elderly or low-income folks, those are the things we’ve got to protect most,” he said.
But even those services should brace for less funding in the future, Kaine said.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell said Thursday that he will cut his budget by 9.1 percent, reducing his own salary and returning his state-leased vehicle.
“As the governor determines what budget cuts to order by executive action, I have taken this proactive step,” McDonnell said in the statement.
McDonnell, who is expected to run for governor in 2009, said his office will cut its general fund budget by $3.8 million and will reduce his salary by 2 percent, the statement says. The return of his leased 2005 Ford Explorer is expected to save $5,000, according to his statement.
McDonnell said 10 of his executive attorneys also have voluntarily reduced their salaries by 2 percent for the next six months. He also has instituted a hiring freeze and has not filled vacant positions, the statement said. McDonnell also has reduced travel reimbursement rates and eliminated some fax machines and phone lines.
The two-year budget for McDonnell’s office is about $72 million, part of which comes from the state’s general fund, the statement said. The rest comes from other sources, including the federal government.
Staff writer Cindy Clayton and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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brilliant
comment
um
Using a dictionary?
How do you
How do YOU define those who are in need and those who are not?
odd
Gertz, you do realize that you are supporting a candidate who is in favor of giving more to those who request it? He actually coached people on how to get more from US.
the "ME" society
As long as "ME" is taken care of I don't give a darn about anyone else. Pathetic!
yes
Absolutely. My homeowners insurance(totaled) is over 2K. The goverment has no business helping those who chose not to abide by the clearly provided rules.
While I beleive there are people who are need and deserve assistance, it is rare. We have fostered a culture that revolves around and is supported by our subsidy. Watch the checkout line at a grocer which accepts foodstamps. Count how many rotund people pay w/ food stamps. Their only 'need' is their 'wants.'
about that food stamp thing
"Food stamp recipients and those who receive subsidized housing should be required to perform a service in exchange for their benefits."
Should that also apply to people hit with Katrina and the most resent hurricane in Texas?
What?
These guys are the biggest bunch of KNOBS I've ever seen. A 2005 Ford Explorer isn't worth $5000, you idiot! Ten lawyers cut their salaries by a whopping 2% for six months? Nice gesture, are you sure you can afford that? In case your wondering what a KNOB is, it's something that just does nothing and there is no resaon for it's existence. It's useless. Need I say more?
An idea?
Try cutting the two hundred million dollars for the stupid light rail line in Norfolk.
I was in ...
the Secretary of the Commonwealth at 11th and Broad St.
By the by Madam Secretary, you call that a parking lot near your building? I can't be sure, but I''m farely certain I parked somewhere off Governor and burned two cigarettes walking to your building.
Folks, here's a place to start the personnel cuts. I'll hand out the pink slips and will start with those I observed gossiping and chit-chatting on Wednesday, 24SEP at roughly 10:40AM.
For starters
No cable/satellite TV. All radios out of the office. When you clock in, the taxpayer expects a days work for a days pay. Don't like it? Seek employment elsewhere.
Perks/bennies…they're gone.
Meetings are conducted online vice driving there and charging us.
Each department realizes a minimum 20% budget cut. The people of Virginia are cutting personal spending, ergo we should also. When run out of money-tough. Plan better.
Begin a recycling program and all recouped money goes into the general fund. Turn the lights, computers, etc., off when not in use. We became a world power with brain power, not with computers and the toys you enjoy
I was in Richmond Thursday and saw a bunch of people in idle mode. Some I recognized, most I didn't.
cut social services first...
The cuts should not come only from services that are used by people who actually PAY taxes. Cut social services first, and demand that recipients work towards independence. Food stamp recipients and those who receive subsidized housing should be required to perform a service in exchange for their benefits. We have to stop giving away our tax dollars to people who refuse to work. I'm not talking about the safety net that social services was designed to provide. There will always be folks who need a helping hand. I'm talking about those able to work who feel entitled to a free living. We can better spend those dollars elsewhere.
Layoff Larry, his brother Daryl and his OTHER brother Daryl?
Every time I drive by a construction site I see 1 guy working and about 4 guys watching him work. This tells me we can easily lay off the useless day laborers who do nothing except raise the price of the projects. We should also lay off about half of the elected officials too! No one will miss Paul Fraim or Regina Williams or the racist councilman who does nothing except stir up controversy in order to get his name in the paper, and the cost savings will be substantial. We can also lay off Jesse and Reverend Al since they haven't done anything but lie for the past decade or so. Let's get rid of all the dead weight!
Every Flood Begins..
with a single drop of water. Yet every single drop of water does not believe IT is responsible for the flood. Behold the power of a single drop of water! Bob, you are to be commended. Based on solid actions in your future may get my vote as Governor for Virginia.
Submitted by joanie06 on
Submitted by joanie06 on Thu, 09/25/2008 at 1:35 pm.
Finally, some leadership coming from the state government. I would like to see some of the democrats follow suite and do the same for the good of the Commonwealth.
Figured someone would eventually start the "nonsense". You can best believe that the Attorney General along with his "goones" will be compensated for that.....two fold.
Regarding comment about AG just cutting the budget
Oh and BTW, he voluntarily cut his budget by 5% last year as well before it was even known how much he would have to cut it...so, it isn't just now when the Republicans are "politically posturing" as some of you like to put it. Helps to know what you're talking about if you're going to pose an intelligent argument.
To Gertz
I work for the AG and he's a very decent person. It's amazing how judgemental people can be without knowing what they're talking about. AG McDonnell is at least trying to save the state money and has volutarily cut his own salary, as well as others have volutarily cut their salaries, in order to hopefully avoid layoffs within the agency. Find ONE fatcat private industry CEO who's willing to do that for his employees to save THEIR jobs...you won't find one!
think
I still think we do need some cuts we do waste alot of money in Viginia. I think you should look at the welfare system set limits on them as far as how long you can receive welfare. Make these men and women get out and work like the rest of us red blooded Americans. We give away far to much money without really looking into if they truly need this help. I heard a lady the other day say Yeah I cant wait till the baby is born I will get money from the state. What a shame..
Let all these higher ups who have state homes and cars start paying some sort of surcharge on them. I live payday to payday ..... All these people who want to give 2% think they are really giving something up. 2% would make a big difference to someone like me but not them..
Rest of my comment which was cut off
At least we don't have to endure another 4 years of Gov. Kaine since he cannot succeed himself. too bad he was the VP pick, then we as Virginians could have moved on.
We get the leaders we
We get the leaders we deserve. A little bit of truth regarding Tims tenure as Richmond's mayor should have been enough for every sain person to vote for anyone else.
The state needs to learn to save for a rainy day. Income from taxes will always go up and down with the marketplace. Government needs to stop increasing taxes every time income goes down and stop spending more everytime income goes up.
Cuts
Cut Kaine's new programs and all social giveaways. We'll probably find more than enough money to balance the budget.
More to come
It won't really make a difference but it's a nice gesture anyway. If you're going to ask sacrifices of employees and have layoffs, etc., you should be willing to sacrifice also. The real cuts are still on the way. There already is a rainy day fund, by the way, but this deficit is way beyond that. The beauty of the system is that the state is required to have a balanced budget. Cuts HAVE to be made. The state is forced to prioritize. If the federal govt had the same requirement, we'd be so much better off.
1.4 million
That's 2% of the budget for that office. So I say if they are actually going across the board with a 2% cut then it is a lot of money... I like how some can still figure a way to get National Political issues into a state debate. I actually find it good that McCain wanted to put his full attention to something that will amount to almost a TRILLION dollars when all is said and done and the money gets paid back. Instead of personal aspirations he's more concerned with the issues, instead of just voting "Present"...
Personally I want someone willing to put their full attention to something of this magnatude...
WOW
Isn't it amazing what Democrates can do during an election year?
Tim the fat off at VDOT
I can think of a couple high level positions at the Smart Traffic Center that can be eliminated
It seems like
It seems like for $10,000 for every man, woman, and child in the state they could manage to provide all the necessary government services.
Taxes
With the State's money shortfall and the Congress wanting to bail rich people with our tax money, does anyone not think that Democrats are going to increase our taxes? Get ready. The hurt has just begun thanks to the Democrats. Tax, Tax, Tax, that's all they know.
CUTTING COSTS
How nice of Gov. Kaine to warn agencies to start cutting expenses while he was travelling in July at taxpayer expense in Ireland? What part of Virginia is Ireland in? I can't find it on the map. Now that was a waste to pay for all that staff to travel to Ireland. Ah...I have it a trade mission where the Euro is worth much more than the dollar. And the AG is simply political posturing. Wanna bet he uses that in his bid for governor?
Well apparently Gov. Kaine cannot multi-task
Apparently Gov. Kaine cannot campaign for Obama across the country AND run the Commonwealth of Virginia at the same time - so by his 'buddy's' own comments, he should not be running anything.
The governor gets a salary, a house to live in, use of vehicle, helicopter, etc. Does he have to purchase his own food for 'his' house, as we do on our own salaries, and does he pay his own utilities? Seems that there could be a savings there - out of his Governor salary, he needs to pay his rent, utilities, food, pay for his vehicles, etc., just like we all have to do on our own salaries. That would be a big beginning in getting rid of waste. Just giving up the helicopter alone would save a lot.
Gov. Kaine has spent way too much time out of touch with Virginians since he has been 'on the campaign trail' with his 'bud.' Time for him to move on dot org and get someone running this state for the good of the citizens. At least we
Save more money
by laying off Little Timmy. After all he's too busy stumping for Obama and doing TV shows.