Virginia Legal*Political Blog

Gov. Tim Kaine’s package of budget cuts includes 593 state employee layoffs, according to a news release from the governor’s office today. The plan calls for elimination of more than 900 state positions to help cover a $1.35 billion budget shortfall for FY2010. At a press conference announcing the cuts, Kaine said they apply only [...]

[Read more →]

The Associated Press is reporting that legislators expect Gov. Kaine to announce an additional $1.3 billion in budget cuts tomorrow. According to the AP’s sources, Kaine heard from state economists and other experts who are doubtful that a recovery from the recession is imminent. Kaine will address the General Assembly’s money committees Tuesday morning.  The [...]

[Read more →]

Legislators expect to focus on the budget and, according to a Media General report, the lawmakers are finding plenty to criticize in Gov. Kaine’s spending proposals.

[Read more →]

The Washington Post is reporting that Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will propose layoffs for 1,100 state employees and a 30-cent increase in the cigarette tax to balance the state budget.  Another 700 vacant state jobs would not be filled in the plan, according to unnamed staff members. The Post says Kaine also will recommend [...]

[Read more →]

House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, announced yesterday that Republican legislators will resist efforts to pad the state budget and will support belt tightening for the House itself.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the House will take steps to save $1.1 million, about 15 percent of the chamber’s operating expenses. Plans to cut expenses include: suspending use [...]

[Read more →]