With Crossover behind us, attention this week turned toward the budget. As a reminder, the budget process began last year when the Governor presented his budget in December. The Governor's budget was subsequently introduced as both a House bill and a Senate bill, thereby becoming the starting point for the House and Senate versions of the budget. The House and Senate spent the first five and half weeks of session reviewing amendments to their respective budgets. Last Sunday, each chamber released their budget proposals, which included amendments to the Governor's proposed budget. Yesterday, the House and Senate voted on these amendments and passed their versions of the budget. The two versions differ and must now be reconciled by a conference committee.
As with every budget, there are positive and negative aspects. The House budget is structurally sound and should not adversely impact the Commonwealth’s bond rating. Funding for pay raises for Virginia State Police and for teachers is included, as are college tuition freezes. Unfortunately, there is much to dislike. The budget contains significant tax increase, funds massive expansions of regulatory authority for state agencies, and raises state spending by over eighteen percent. The House budget provides taxpayer funding for minimum wage increases, abortions, drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants, and “environmental justice” initiatives. The budget also adds several full-time "enforcement" staff members to the Office of the Attorney General. Wondering what needs to be enforced? The provisions of the "Human Rights Act" that authorize the Attorney General to impose fines of $50,000 and $100,000 (and unlimited punitive damages) on individuals and businesses deemed to have violated the rights of certain protected classes of individuals. As a reminder,
"gender identity" is now a protected class
. Needless to say, it is sobering to realize that the Attorney General's office will soon be empowered to prosecute, fine, and otherwise penalize perceived violators of the misnamed "Human Rights Act."
In short, I did not vote for the House budget when it came before me on the floor. The budget is the tool that allows for the implementation of many bills, and far too much terrible legislation is funded by this budget. Nevertheless, the House and Senate budgets have passed their respective chambers and will be reconciled before heading back to the floor for a vote. Stay tuned!
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The state budget is comprised of “general funds” and “non-general funds.”
The general fund:
- accounts for approximately 40% of state spending, or about $54 billion
- is made up of revenues derived from most state taxes, like the income tax, sales tax, and business tax
- funds items such as K-12 education, public safety, and other core priorities
- is directly controlled by the General Assembly
- spending declined by 5 percent over the last 10 years when adjusted for population and inflation
The non-general fund:
- accounts for the remaining 60% of state spending, or about $81 billion
- is made up of revenues dedicated to specific purposes, such as gas tax revenue for transportation and college tuition payments to universities
- includes federal pass through dollars for services such as Medicaid
- is essentially outside the control of the General Assembly
- represents most of the growth in state spending
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2020 General Assembly Survey
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Survey results will remain posted on my website for future reference. Click
HERE
to view responses. Thank you again to all who completed the 2020 Legislative Survey.
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Thank you to all who traveled to Richmond this week! The following organizations and/or constituents met with either my legislative aide or me within the past few days:
- Wayne Baker
- Jim Brittain
- Beth & Peter Brown
- Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast
- Dawn Heyse
- Bob Lambert
- Mary Jo McGovern (Social Work Advocacy)
- William & Mary President Katherine Rowe
- Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff David Hardin
If you plan to be in Richmond, please stop by my office. To schedule a visit, please contact Dayle Brittain at 804-698-1096.
Enjoy your weekend!
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Contact Delegate Batten
Legislative Aide: Dayle Brittain
Mail: P.O. Box 194, Norge, VA 23127
Phone: 804-698-1096
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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Amanda Batten
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