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Calendar of Events March TBA - Special
budget session set by Gov. General Assembly Budget Blues
2001 New Kid on the Block The budget was not the only hot issue during the 46 days of the session. Over 50 conservation, smart growth, and transportation bills were introduced that VALCV monitored. By being the “political umbrella” of the entire conservation community, VALCV took positions and lobbied for bills that numerous conservation groups included in their legislative agendas. Whether it was a transportation issue initiated by the Piedmont Environmental Council or a wetlands bill that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation was fighting, VALCV weighed in as an advocate and an ally. The difference is that VALCV, as a political organization, is in the unique position of being able to assess the legislators’ performances and hold them accountable when it comes to upcoming elections. |
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When
Gov. Jim Gilmore was elected back in 1997, no one expected the car tax
refund would still be making headlines almost four years later. Today
we have the unprecedented situation of having no finalized budget because
of the car tax implementation. The 2001 General Assembly session adjourned
on Saturday, February 24 with the Senate and the House still unable to
come to agreement. The Speaker of the House, Vance Wilkins (R-Amherst)
held most of his delegates to the Governor’s 70% car tax refund rate while
Senator John Chichester (R-Fredericksburg) led the Senate with the more
fiscally conservative rate of 55%. Governor Gilmore has announced a special
session later this month to try to resolve the differences. This window
of opportunity allows for some intensive lobbying and deal-making by and
with the governor before the reconvened legislative special session on
April 4. If the two chambers cannot come to agreement on a new 2001-02
budget in the special session, the second year of last year’s biennial
budget automatically goes into effect. To hold the 70% reduction, the
governor must slash $421 million to balance the budget State agency budgets
have been cut 15% . Colleges have been scaled back $30 million already.
The situation sure doesn’t look promising for conservation project funding
including initiatives on water quality and land conservation It has been
a strange year to see Republicans pointing the finger of blame at each
other. It must be an election year! Let’s hope there’s something left
for us when the dust settles.