McDonnell's cuts: Answer to crisis or framework for future?

RICHMOND

In announcing his approach to spending cuts, Gov. Bob McDonnell wrote that he is committed to streamlining government services while meeting "the demands of our most vulnerable citizens."

After reviewing his proposal to pare $2.2 billion from the budget, some human-service advocates question the governor's intentions.

McDonnell's suggestions show "an absolute disregard in investments for our future, while... his spending demonstrates an appetite for more corporate takeover in Richmond," said Doug Smith, executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

Smith takes exception to cuts McDonnell recommended for school meals, homeless people, juvenile crime prevention, and a state insurance program for low-income children and pregnant women.

By proposing those cuts while asking the legislature to approve tens of millions in funding to attract business to Virginia with incentives and tax credits, "Bob McDonnell is choosing business over people in this budget," Smith argued.

During the campaign last year, McDonnell pledged to scale back government by finding efficiencies and to promote a pro-business climate. His recommendations for human services would hit advocates for children, disabled people and low-income families in Hampton Roads particularly hard.

Trish O'Brien, executive director of a human services organization called CHIP/Healthy Families in Chesapeake, said that if legislators approve the proposed cuts, she will lose half of her staff members, who check on 3,000 children in at-risk families throughout Chesapeake.

The home visitation workers make sure children are on track with immunizations, school readiness and other health milestones. She said the prevention program saves money in the long run in reductions in emergency room visits and remedial school programs.

Some programs that would be slashed or eliminated would save relatively little money. For example, a teen pregnancy prevention program in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and five other areas would be ended to save $900,000.

State Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax County, said McDonnell's proposed reductions slice "the heart and soul" out of state government.

Particularly upsetting to state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, is the possible cut to a school meals program.

"To even put school lunches on the table has got to be the most insensitive thought of the session, because that school lunch is the only decent meal some of these kids are going to get in a day's time," Lucas said.

The cuts to social services, mental health services and health insurance programs would fray the safety net of a growing number of Hampton Roads residents, according to Betty Wade Coyle, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads. "It's scaling back direct services to children and to the most vulnerable citizens in the community."

Maureen Hollowell, who advocates for disabled people through the Norfolk-based Endependence Center, said 6,000 disabled and elderly people who receive services through a "consumer directed" program that allows them to hire their own personal care assistants would lose their funding under the governor's proposals.

"These are extremely drastic cuts," Hollowell said. "It's eliminating a cost-effective program." She said cuts to the state's rehabilitation department also could mean more disabled people will be unemployed.

The state's Community Services Boards, which provide mental health treatment and an array of other services, are also expected to take a 5 percent cut under the governor's proposal.

"This is our third 5 percent cut in a year and a half," said Kathy Drumwright, deputy director of human services for the city of Virginia Beach. "Each cut is painful and it gets more and more painful. We are getting to the bone."

Others defended McDonnell, saying he'd had to make tough decisions.

Suffolk Republican Del. Chris Jones, who has been privy to some of the budget talks, said McDonnell gave serious reflection to his proposed cuts and "arrived at his conclusion after looking at the cause and effect of what he recommended."

What wasn't immediately clear is whether McDonnell's cuts will be a framework for his future budget plans or are simply a response to current economic conditions.

"In future years, when revenues return, the governor will act accordingly," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin wrote in an e-mail responding to a reporter's inquiry.

Elizabeth Simpson, (757) 446-2635, elizabeth.simpson@pilotonline.com

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com