Richmond, Virginia (February 27, 2008) – The Virginia House of Delegates last week overwhelmingly approved House Bill 30, the new 2008-2010 biennial budget for the Commonwealth, by an overwhelming, bi-partisan 93 to 5 margin. With his vote in favor of HB 30, Delegate Jeff Frederick (R-Prince William) passed a spending plan that pays teachers more, builds more schools, and puts more money into the classroom. The House budget provides $13 billion in funding for public education over the next two years, $193 million more than Governor Kaine’s revised budget ($12.8 billion) and $68 million more than the budget passed by Senate Democrats ($12.9 billion), which was approved on a straight party-line vote of 21-19.

“Governor Kaine proposed and the Senate approved significant cuts to K-12 public education and higher education in favor of new and expanded government programs,” noted Delegate Frederick. “But, my fellow delegates and I knew from experience that, in tighter fiscal times, you fulfill your existing responsibilities first and prioritize others – like improvements to Virginia’s mental health care system – that are immediate critical needs. That’s why the House-passed budget does not cut $220 million from public education as the Governor proposed, instead adding $70 million in new school construction grants and providing a first-year pay increase for K-12 school teachers.”

Under the House budget, Prince William County will receive $823.2 million in school education funding which is more than the governor’s revised budget reduction plan and the State Senate estimated distribution plan.

“The House budget makes education a priority by funding critical school construction projects and providing a teacher pay raise this year,” concluded Delegate Frederick.