McDonnell budget: furloughs, job cuts, reduced services for the sick and children, no new taxes

Tyler Whitley & Olympia Meola:

Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to fill a $2 billion budget shortfall by eliminating more than 500 jobs over three years, instituting 10 furlough days for state workers and slashing services for children and the sick.

But he proposes no new taxes, and he is electing to keep the $950 million-a-year car-tax break for localities.

The governor also wants to spare higher education from further cuts and seeks to restore some of former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposed cuts to public safety.

Schools and health care -- the largest parts of the state's general fund budget -- take heavy hits under McDonnell's plan, with reductions of $731 million to public education over the two-year budget period, and more than $300 million to health-care programs.
"All the cuts give me heartburn," McDonnell said at a news conference. "All of them were difficult because I know that behind every cut there is a Virginian . . . that might be affected."

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 19, 2010 1:23 AM
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