Statement of Governor Kaine on Today's Senate Budget Action

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement after today’s budget vote by the Virginia Senate:

“Once again, the Senate has extended the hand of compromise to the House. The House leadership demanded that transportation be separated from the budget, and they now have transportation bills separate from the budget. The House leadership then demanded a budget free of tax increases, and they now have a budget free of tax increases.

“The time for House leadership to come to the negotiating table is long overdue.  We are rapidly approaching the end of the fiscal year, and the need for a solution to address the shortfall in statewide transportation funding becomes more urgent every day.  For the best interests of the Commonwealth, House leadership should now take up the Senate transportation bills they have not acted upon for three weeks, and immediately return to work with the Senate to pass a budget.”

# # #