“All is not well—Rosy Surplus Numbers Don't Erase Damage from Budget Cuts.” That's the title of the latest report by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
And the organization's president says as candidates campaign for election to the entire General Assembly this November, it's imperative that voters have a conversation with them about the state's long-term budget problems.
The Institute's Michael Cassidy says over the last 10 years the state has steadily shifted costs onto localities and families—and continues to do so even when touting a budget surplus. He says that includes a 14% decrease in state support for public schools compared to 2007 levels.
"In Prince William County, for example, middle and high school class sizes have ballooned from 21 kids to 30 kids and there's been talk there of even ending all-day kindergarten."
He says it's also deeply impacted higher education as per student state support fell 27%.
Local governments also had to absorb a $30-million cut for fiscal year 2015 that was preserved in the budget. Cassidy adds that while the economy was not as bad as predicted, some cuts still remain. He says at the very least, lawmakers must reevaluate how key services will be funded.
