Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell gave his State of the Commonwealth address to the General Assembly on Monday, calling for economic development and vowing to oppose higher taxes.
McDonnell rejected tax increases recommended by his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, to balance the state budget. The new governor said he would veto any bill to increase taxes.
“Some say taxes must be raised – it’s unavoidable,” McDonnell said in his 53-minute speech. “Here’s what I say: I will work with you – Democrats, Republicans and independents. We will meet and negotiate; there will be disagreements, and there will be compromises.”
McDonnell, who took office Saturday, said he would reduce the size of state government – for example, by privatizing Virginia’s system of state-owned liquor stores.
“It is time that we eliminated, consolidated or privatized programs and agencies that do not work or do not fulfill core government functions,” McDonnell said.
“As I traveled the great commonwealth over the last year, I didn’t run into anybody who thought selling Jack Daniel whiskey or Grey Goose vodka was a core function of government.”
McDonnell also said he hopes to spur economic development by offering tax credits for business that create jobs. And he said he wishes to create new “green jobs” based on renewable energy projects.
In his address, McDonnell said he would:
Expand charter schools in Virginia. Such schools, which have more freedom to innovate, “have been demonstrated to help students, particularly in some of the nation’s underperforming school districts,” the governor said.
Reopen highway rest stops that Kaine had closed for budget reasons. “Our rest stops and welcome centers are important for safety and tourism,” McDonnell said. “We’ll have those rest stops open within 87 days!”
Fight domestic violence and gangs and help prisoners turn their lives around. “I will work with faith-based and community organizations to create an effective prisoner re-entry program to keep people out of jails and prisons,” the governor said. “It’s smart government and will save money.”
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw and Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton delivered the Democratic response to McDonnell’s speech. Saslaw pledged to “work with the governor to increase employment opportunities, ensure the best education possible for our children and find solutions to our transportation crisis.”
Since 2007, Virginia has cut state spending by $7 billion. Kaine’s recommended budget included $2.3 billion in additional cuts and $2 billion in tax increases.
“By rejecting Kaine’s plan, Gov. McDonnell is forcing an additional $2 billion in cuts,” Saslaw said. He said this “will mean the elimination of more critical services and thousands of layoffs to public employees, including our teachers and public safety professionals.”
Locke said McDonnell’s budget reductions “could result in 23,000 layoffs in public education across the state.”
“We ask Gov. McDonnell to join us in opposing permanent cuts to our public schools and far-reaching job losses that will follow,” Locke said.
She also urged McDonnell to spare public safety programs.
“Ensuring public safety is an irrefutable responsibility of government,” Locke said. “We have the utmost respect for the men and women that put themselves in harm’s way everyday to maintain out safety and security.”
In his speech, McDonnell said he will start the budget cuts in his own office: He said that he will return a portion of his salary and that his Cabinet and senior staff all will receive pay cuts.
“Every opportunity to save, however small, is one that must be seized,” McDonnell said.
This story was submitted by the Capital News Service. Laura Peters is a journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell gave his State of the Commonwealth address to the General Assembly on Monday, calling for economic development and vowing to oppose higher taxes.
McDonnell rejected tax increases recommended by his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, to balance the state budget. The new governor said he would veto any bill to increase taxes.
“Some say taxes must be raised – it’s unavoidable,” McDonnell said in his 53-minute speech. “Here’s what I say: I will work with you – Democrats, Republicans and independents. We will meet and negotiate; there will be disagreements, and there will be compromises.”
McDonnell, who took office Saturday, said he would reduce the size of state government – for example, by privatizing Virginia’s system of state-owned liquor stores.
“It is time that we eliminated, consolidated or privatized programs and agencies that do not work or do not fulfill core government functions,” McDonnell said.
“As I traveled the great commonwealth over the last year, I didn’t run into anybody who thought selling Jack Daniel whiskey or Grey Goose vodka was a core function of government.”
McDonnell also said he hopes to spur economic development by offering tax credits for business that create jobs. And he said he wishes to create new “green jobs” based on renewable energy projects.
In his address, McDonnell said he would:
Expand charter schools in Virginia. Such schools, which have more freedom to innovate, “have been demonstrated to help students, particularly in some of the nation’s underperforming school districts,” the governor said.
Reopen highway rest stops that Kaine had closed for budget reasons. “Our rest stops and welcome centers are important for safety and tourism,” McDonnell said. “We’ll have those rest stops open within 87 days!”
Fight domestic violence and gangs and help prisoners turn their lives around. “I will work with faith-based and community organizations to create an effective prisoner re-entry program to keep people out of jails and prisons,” the governor said. “It’s smart government and will save money.”
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw and Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton delivered the Democratic response to McDonnell’s speech. Saslaw pledged to “work with the governor to increase employment opportunities, ensure the best education possible for our children and find solutions to our transportation crisis.”
Since 2007, Virginia has cut state spending by $7 billion. Kaine’s recommended budget included $2.3 billion in additional cuts and $2 billion in tax increases.
“By rejecting Kaine’s plan, Gov. McDonnell is forcing an additional $2 billion in cuts,” Saslaw said. He said this “will mean the elimination of more critical services and thousands of layoffs to public employees, including our teachers and public safety professionals.”
Locke said McDonnell’s budget reductions “could result in 23,000 layoffs in public education across the state.”
“We ask Gov. McDonnell to join us in opposing permanent cuts to our public schools and far-reaching job losses that will follow,” Locke said.
She also urged McDonnell to spare public safety programs.
“Ensuring public safety is an irrefutable responsibility of government,” Locke said. “We have the utmost respect for the men and women that put themselves in harm’s way everyday to maintain out safety and security.”
In his speech, McDonnell said he will start the budget cuts in his own office: He said that he will return a portion of his salary and that his Cabinet and senior staff all will receive pay cuts.
“Every opportunity to save, however small, is one that must be seized,” McDonnell said.
This story was submitted by the Capital News Service. Laura Peters is a journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Gov. McDonnell vows to veto tax hike.” Next McDonnell will announce that he plans to spin gold from straw.