Two roads to Virginia's budget

The spending proposals released by the budget-writing committees in the Senate and House of Delegates reflect the realities of each chamber, as well as the shortcomings of the governor's own spending blueprint.

In the House, the Republican majority dealt with escalating annual costs by

siphoning money for transportation from the budget's general fund. As House leaders have done in the past several years, the committee rejected revenue increases to pay the bills.

The House plan would send more money back to municipalities suffering in the economic downturn and from the state's propensity to dip into local coffers to balance its books. It would restore a majority of the $60 million or so in aid to localities that has been cut in each of the past several years.

The Senate, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, took a more pragmatic and realistic approach. That makes its plan the better of the two.

For transportation, senators proposed indexing increases in the state's gas tax to inflation, providing sorely needed new revenue for decaying highways.

The plan wouldn't mean much next year, but senators estimate it could bring in more than $100 million for transportation within five years. Assuming it could survive the House.

Senators also proposed raising millions more by closing a loophole that has given online retailers such as Amazon.com an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. Requiring online retailers to remit sales taxes could bring in $33.5 million over the next two years.

Both chambers have proposed increasing money for education beyond the level suggested by Gov. Bob McDonnell, although it is unlikely to make up for the loss of federal dollars and rising obligations to the state's retirement fund.

Only the Senate considered the hardship of the punishing tolls coming soon to Hampton Roads, including an amendment that would provide some assistance to qualified, low-income college students passing through the Downtown or Midtown tunnels on their way to class.

Likewise, neither chamber was willing to follow McDonnell's plans to hold fast on reimbursements to doctors and hospitals while cutting health care programs for the poor. Senators and delegates restored millions for inflationary increases in Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes, and in funds for free clinics, community health-care centers and dental clinics.

In remarks summarizing the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources, members rejected the idea of pruning Medicaid costs by holding down payments to doctors who treat the poorest Virginians.

"It is true that our Medicaid program continues to grow," members wrote, "nevertheless we cannot control costs solely by squeezing our health care providers. We must ensure that Medicaid payments are fair and adequate...."

Both reached the same conclusion. The Senate provides a more realistic way to fulfill Virginia's obligations - if it can get delegates to follow its map.