Richmond, Virginia (February 14, 2008) – In response to Governor Kaine’s proposal to address the $2 billion budget shortfall between fiscal years 2008 and 2010 by eliminating over $220 million in dedicated General Fund support for local school divisions, House Republican members of the conference committee on the state budget expressed deep concern over the negative impact on the Governor’s proposed cuts. Yesterday before the House Appropriations Committee, Finance Secretary Jody Wagner outlined the Governor’s proposed strategies for balancing the remainder of the fiscal year 2008 and 2009-2010 biennial budgets. Committee members continue to question Governor Kaine’s spending priorities as he recommends further cuts to educational aid to localities while pushing for new spending items totaling over $300 million.

“There is no doubt that Virginia’s current economic situation presents Governor Kaine and the legislature with difficult decisions on how best to allocate taxpayer funds,” noted Delegate Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “However, that is no excuse to decrease important funding for our local elementary and secondary schools. Should the Governor’s recommended education cuts be implemented, the negative impact will be felt on school children across the Commonwealth.”

“Eliminating critical state support for our local school children so that the Governor can fund new and expanded programs is the wrong way to build a budget,” commented Delegate Phil Hamilton (R-Newport News), Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “House Republicans are committed to improving the quality of life of Virginia students and adopting the Governor’s cuts to education would be counter to that goal.”

“The Governor’s cuts to education would mean over $12 million less funding going to the Prince William County school system,” said Delegate Jeff Frederick, a member of the House Finance Committee. “With our local communities struggling to deal with budgets relying on property taxes, it is ill-advised and the Commonwealth can ill-afford to pull the carpet out from under our schools. Governor Kaine’s cuts would do just that.”

With localities continuously struggling to keep up with the costs for school maintenance and construction needs, Governor Kaine’s proposed elimination of the $55 million of construction grants and the $165 million of lottery profits dedicated for school building projects seems misguided and unacceptable, according to some Delegates.