This morning, Mark Warner presented his last budget to a joint session of the General Assembly in Richmond. His speech highlighted proposed investments in education, transportation, mental health and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.In education, Warner called for a 3% salary raise to teachers and public school employees. Warner also requested support for the development of early childhood education programs. In higher education, he called for increased general fund investment in higher education, with the overall goal of increasing degree awards to 10,000 more per year and putting more investment in research.
"We cannot expect that 10 and 20 years from now that we will be at the forefront of economic prosperity if we neglect the driving forces which will make it possible. In 2003, a statewide research summit established a goal of $1 billion in research expenditures by the end of the decade. While we have made progress, significantly more remains to be done."
Warner's transportation proposal includes $229 million for highway improvements and $57 million for public transportation capital projects. Additionally, Warner is calling for a one-time investment of $339 for special projects, including providing matching funds for earmarked Federal funds and $197 for projects already in advanced states of development.
In mental health care, Warner advocates replacing four aging hospitals and training centers with smaller residential care facilities and providing more support to community based efforts.
For the Chesapeake, Warner proposes a one-time $200 million appropriation for the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund to bring wastewater treatment up to new required standards. He also recommends other funds for community grants and other remediation projects.
Finally, Warner requested a 3% raise to all state employees.
Overall, news reports indicate that the whole program will cost $72 billion over two years.
"At the end of the day, people don?t care if a good idea has a (D) or an (R) attached to it. And they care less than most people think about whether government is big or small. What they want is smart and efficient government."
As Warner addressed the assembly, Governor-elect Kaine's staff issued two statements, indicating agreement with the tone of both Warner's overall budget and specifically for his transportation proposal. More details on Kaine's approach will come next month, when he speaks at his inauguration on January 14.