Day #128: Still No Budget from House Republicans

By: Lowell
Published On: 5/19/2006 6:04:45 AM

Maybe we should start a daily feature, like during the Iranian hostage crisis (1979-1981), on the Virginia state budget.  Because honestly, that's what it's starting to feel like: Republican anti-tax ideologues in the House of Delegates, led by Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), are now at Day #128 of holding Virginia's budget hostage unless the Senate and Governor Kaine meet their demands.  And basically, their only demand is we NOT raise taxes (aka, "revenues") to pay for the long-term, severe transportation needs facing Virginia. 

Instead, the Republicans in the House want to draw down our state's budget surplus, even though that's not a permanent source of revenue, and also borrow money.  Yes, that's right, the Republicans' policy preference is to spend irresponsibly, borrow, and to underfund critical infrastructure needs.  Just like in the U.S. House of Representatives, in other words.  And we see where that's gotten us.  Ugh.

Unfortunately, it looks increasingly likely that thanks to House Republican intransigence and pig-headedness, we may reach the deadline of July 1 - just 6 weeks away - with no state budget.  According to Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), "We're in trouble...I can see this thing going all the way to June 30."  What will happen if we blow past the deadline with no budget, nobody really knows.  But this could get ugly.

In the meantime, as Kevin Hall, Kaine's press secretary, says:

It's curious that the speaker continues to view the budget impasse as everyone's fault but his own.  What we need are more budget negotiations and fewer press conferences.

Unfortunately, the esteemed House Republican leader appears to prefer talking over legislating.  Which means that, come 2007, we're going to need completely new leadership in the House of Delegates.  In fact, if House Republicans let their rigid adherence to ideology lead to a state shutdown of vital services, that scenario may very well come to pass.

Comments



Actually... (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 5/19/2006 6:42:06 AM)
Virginia Virtucon has a feature up about the budget situation with the Iranian hostage situation as its imagery...He uses it as a stick against Kaine and the Senate...funny how people can use Iranian hostage situations on both sides...


Interesting... (Lowell - 5/19/2006 7:19:58 AM)
I didn't see that.  It's pretty funny, though, to claim that it's the Senate and Tim Kaine that are holding Virginia hostage, when everyone except for House Republicans is in agreement on this one.


I loved that teh Fairfax Chamber of Commerce (summercat - 5/19/2006 9:30:06 AM)
nailed Howell.  Maybe Gov. Kaine should mobilize all concerned voters to pester their  Republican Reps with calls and letters.  I've called, sent emails and postcards.  But I guess Howell's big ego is blocking his eyes and ears.


Iranian imagery (Kris Amundson - 5/19/2006 10:44:27 AM)
Lowell, please take this photo down. I am just as frustrated (no, much more frustrated) than most people in Virginia. But there is NO comparison between what is going on in Virginia and what went on in Iran. I was offended when the other side did it, and I am offended when you do it.


It's called "snark" (Lowell - 5/19/2006 11:02:38 AM)


Here's a deal, though... (Lowell - 5/19/2006 11:11:01 AM)
You take back your endorsement of Harris Miller, which offends me, and I'll take down the photo, which offends you!  Ha.


Lowell (phriendlyjaime - 5/19/2006 12:49:58 PM)
Again...you provided me with a much needed, post lunch...

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Happy to oblige! (Lowell - 5/19/2006 12:57:28 PM)
:)