Gov. Tim Kaine (D), who this month was appointed to head the Democratic National Committee, emphasized environmental preservation and job creation in his Jan. 14 address to Virginia’s politically split legislature.
His state of the commonwealth address was the last of Kaine's tenure as Virginia limits its governorship to one four-year term.
In defending his 2010 budget — which state lawmakers have criticized for not making enough cuts — Kaine said he preserved “services that educate our young people, keep our communities safe, protect our most vulnerable citizens, and create opportunities for economic growth.”
In education, Kaine said he cut only administrative costs for K-12 schools, and while he cut university and community college budgets, he asked administrators not to hike tuition in 2009.
Kaine proposed a $400 million cut in Virginia’s approximately $2.3 billion Medicaid program, by capping enrollment for some programs, reducing provider reimbursement rates and delaying new services. No services would be taken away from anyone currently receiving them, he said.
To contain spiraling prison costs, Kaine said he would give corrections officers discretion to release inmates convicted of non-violent crimes as much as 90 days early, instead of the current 30-day policy. He also proposed a new sentencing law to reduce the number of people sent back to prison for violating “technicalities” of their parole.
On the revenue side, the tobacco-producing state would add 30 cents per pack of cigarettes, but keep all other taxes at current levels, under the governor’s budget proposal.
To read the full text, click here.
Powered by