Lawmakers in Richmond today they got their first glimpse of Governor Terry McAuliffe’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session when the outgoing Governor unveiled his final budget proposal for the state.
In his usual style, the Governor began with a long list of successes: healthy revenue growth and sharp decreases in unemployment.
“Every single city and every single county in Virginia has seen a drop in their unemployment rate,” he announced to the Senate and House Finance committees.
To go hand in hand with that economic growth, the Governor’s proposing increased funding for public schools, raises for state employees, an expansion of health insurance for the poor, and a hefty deposit in the state’s savings account.
“I believe it’s wise to put every available dime we have into our rainy day fund,” McAuliffe said. “We must build reserves to protect us against the risks associated with the federal government and national economic uncertainty.”
Some added bonuses include a million dollars for cybersecurity camps, $2 million to encourage development in solar energy, and $7 million to help deal with food desserts.
But this is the beginning of the process, not the end. The budget now gets handed over to lawmakers. — like Republican Senator Tommy Norment and Delegate Chris Jones.
“If you listen to everything he said today you would think that today was December the 25th and Santa Clause had arrived with a sleigh full of goodies. Well all of these goodies are not going to be able to be distributed at the dollar levels that he is proposing,” said Republican state Senator Tommy Norment.
Governor McAuliffe also wants to give health insurance to Virginia’s poor. The Governor has unsuccessfully pushed to expand Medicaid for four years, but is hoping this year will be different.
Through the Affordable Care Act, which Congress has not repealed, the federal government pays for most of Medicaid expansion. Virginia’s hospitals have agreed to help pick up the rest of the tab.
Governor Terry McAuliffe is hopeful Republicans will be on board this year.
“It doesn’t touch the state really it’s all being done by the hospitals and the federal money. So those people who always say ‘Oh it will bankrupt the state.’ It won’t, it just won’t,” said the Governor in a press gaggle following his speech.
But the final budget won’t be approved by McAuliffe, who steps down in January. Then Democrat Ralph Northam takes over.
Northam supports Medicaid expansion, but also agrees with a constant refrain from Republicans: that the system needs reform.
Republican Delegate Chris Jones says he’s been encouraged by Northam’s comments.
“I think it’s realistic to expect there’ll be some additional coverage for Virginians when it deals with healthcare,” said Jones.
But Tommy Norment, a Republican leader in the State Senate, warned he doesn’t think that coverage will come in the form of Medicaid expansion.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
