The Honorable William J. Howell Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates 106 Carter Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405

The Honorable Lacey E. Putney Member, Virginia House of Delegates P.O. Box 127 Bedford, Virginia 24523

The Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr. Member, Senate of Virginia P.O. Box 6205 Williamsburg, Virginia 23188

The Honorable William C. Wampler, Jr. Member, Senate of Virginia 510 Cumberland Street, Suite 308 Bristol, Virginia 24201

Dear Gentlemen:

Thank you for your letter regarding the 2010-2012 budget which I will present to the Joint Money Committees on December 18. As you know, in my conversations this past month with the leadership of the House and Senate and the incoming Administration, I was clear that I welcome meaningful proposals for addressing the continued revenue shortfall in the coming biennium.

While I appreciate your thoughts regarding the burdens faced by our citizens and businesses in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, your letter conveys a failure to grasp the stark realities of the coming budget. We are far beyond the stage of eliminating inefficiencies or making merely difficult cuts. After more than $7 billion in budget reductions since 2007—and a more than $4 billion revenue shortfall to address in the next biennium—we are well into decisions that impact the lives of Virginians. The Commonwealth is now facing cuts that will impact our ability to keep our citizens and communities safe, to educate our children and the next generation of leaders, and to offer health care and safety net services to the ill and most-vulnerable among us.

An economy with ongoing challenges means Virginia is operating a budget based on revenues that in 2012 will be the equivalent of revenues in 2006. At the same time, the Commonwealth must support a larger population, more students at a time of fewer education funds, and more Virginians out-of-work and or depending on health care safety net services than ever before.

Despite tough times for our Commonwealth, my Administration has maintained Virginia’s coveted Triple-A bond rating, preserved the core services Virginians depend on, and consistently balanced the budget in a fiscally responsible manner. My final proposed budget will carry on this tradition of sound budgetary management and fiscal stability.

Sincerely,