Letter to the editor
At the State Senate annual Finance Retreat two weeks ago, staff updated the State Senate on Virginia’s economy, projected revenues and significant budget issues expected during the 2016 session to begin on January 13. The news is a mixed bag.
First, Virginia’s economy is still struggling. Thanks to the “Sequester,” large, across-the-board, federal budget cuts, federal spending in Virginia is down by 33 percent over just last year. That’s $24 billion fewer dollars coming into the Virginia economy. Not surprisingly, economic growth has been flat statewide. Twelve percent of homes are still short sales due to stagnant home prices and our predicted economic growth for 2016 is about one-third less than the national rate.
Notwithstanding this disappointing news, the state took in about $550 million more than we budgeted in FY 2015. These revenues were mostly generated by income taxes paid by business owners, not employees’ paycheck withholding.
We expect to see a 4.1 percent revenue growth in 2016 driven by employment gains in Northern Virginia and housing construction. Between revenue growth and the funds carried forward from FY 2015, the staff anticipates that there will be about $1.6 billion above the state’s “base budget” to allocate to various needs. This is the first year since I was elected in 2009, that there will be any meaningful money to allocate.
Given Virginia’s budget difficulties over the last six years, many unmet needs should be addressed. First, Virginia’s secondary education funding on an inflation-adjusted, per pupil basis is less than what the state spent in 2007. Most teachers have seen one raise in six years and for many, that raise was consumed by new retirement contribution rules. Fairfax County, and especially Prince William and Stafford Counties, are desperate for additional funds to raise teacher salaries, lower class sizes and upgrade technology.
Second, Virginia’s colleges are struggling. Last year, the legislature appropriated $110 million less to our 14 four-year colleges and 23 community colleges than we did in 2008. These institutions serve 399,000 students. Average tuition and fees have risen from around $4,000 per semester to nearly $8,000 and the state is barely covering half the cost of an in-state student’s education. The state’s contribution was over 62 percent when I attended James Madison University from 1989-1993. Average student debt is up by 35 percent since 2008.
Third, Virginia continues to leave about $2 billion of federal Medicaid dollars on the table. Expanding Medicaid to low-income working adults would free up $180 million of Virginia tax dollars which we could re-appropriate, generate 30,000 new jobs and close Virginia’s coverage gap. This debate nearly caused a state government shutdown two years ago until Senator Phil Puckett resigned.
Fourth, Virginia still has 6,000 families on the waiting list for services to severely disabled children and adults. Virginia’s waiting list is one of the worst in the United States.
The Virginia Port Authority has requested $350 million for capital investments so it can remain competitive with other ports. Three dozen judgeships are vacant and unfunded, including five in the 36th District.
The Republican leadership in the House of Delegates has expressed a preference to “pre-pay” the funds that were not paid into the Virginia Retirement System in FY 2010-2011 to balance our budget. This move was a gimmick when adopted and paying it off is a prudent thing to do, but we have other worthy priorities. Many see this proposal as an opening bargaining step in an anticipated four-month negotiation with Governor Terry McAuliffe.
We also have about $100 billion in needed transportation projects than funds in the pipeline over the next 20 years, including multiple projects in the 36th District along U.S. 1 and I-95. Transportation revenue is especially problematic due to lower gas prices since Virginia changed its tax from a per-gallon tax to a percentage-based tax in 2013.
The bottom line is that our budget situation is the best it has been since 2009, but Virginia continues to lag behind the country and has a lengthy list of very worthy needs. I am tackling these problems and will continue when I join my colleagues in Richmond in January and February for the 2016 General Assembly session.
Recent Stories
Prince William Times – For Heather Payne and her family, paying their annual car tax bill has been difficult. Together, she and her husband owe about $600 a year on two older cars, one of which is a 2014 model.
The Paynes have five children, and they’ve struggled since the pandemic. Payne said her husband was laid off from his job in sales, and she has juggled up to four jobs at a time to pay the bills.
Now, Payne has two jobs but she and her husband are still behind on their car tax payments. In June, she was surprised when her wages were garnished to pay the bill.
The Center Square — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares hosted a press conference Tuesday with other state leaders and advocacy groups supporting legislation that would only allow biological females to compete on women’s sports teams in Virginia.
“Virginia will never roll back Title IX under the guise of false equity,” Miyares said. “Let us stand firmly with every girl and woman in Virginia to protect fairness, ensure safety, and uphold the opportunities they have earned.”
Women from the Roanoke College women’s swim team were also in attendance, as a transgender student temporarily joined their team in 2023. So was Riley Gaines, the former University of Kentucky swimmer who became a voice for the Save Women’s Sport movement after competing against transgender athlete Leah Thomas.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Stafford County School Board received a presentation detailing the root causes behind the failure of the school bus transportation system, which left about 3,000 students without a ride during the first week of the 2024-2025 school year this past August.
The analysis, conducted by Transportation Advisory Services (TAS), highlighted organizational restructuring and the rushed implementation of new routing software as major contributors to the debacle.
Departmental Restructuring: Confusion Amid Major Changes
One of the central contributors to the transportation system failure was the significant restructuring of the Stafford County School District’s transportation department. Key changes included shifts in leadership roles, reassignment of personnel, and an overhaul of departmental processes. These changes were introduced without a clear plan for ensuring staff understood their new roles and responsibilities.
The lack of clarity created a ripple effect of confusion among staff, who were left uncertain about their duties and how to collaborate effectively under the new structure. Misaligned expectations and unclear lines of communication resulted in operational inefficiencies, including delays in routing students and coordinating schedules. The confusion further weakened an already strained system, making it difficult to address the logistical challenges that emerged at the start of the school year.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Stafford County School Board voted 6-1 to approve redistricting plan F1 in preparation for the county’s sixth high school opening this fall. The plan addresses overcrowding and balances student populations across the district’s high schools.
Key Changes Under Plan F1
The approved plan prioritizes reducing capacity pressures at North Stafford High School and maximizing enrollment at Mountain View High School, which has struggled with underutilization. Board members cited geographic challenges and transportation logistics as key considerations in selecting the F1 scenario over others, such as plan E.
North Stafford High School, for instance, would see its projected capacity reduced from 97% to 93%, while Mountain View would experience increased enrollment to maximize its facilities.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
