Press Releases

Democrats Fight to Protect Top Funding Priorities

Posted by Mike on Tuesday, February 06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 6, 2007
 
CONTACT: Jesse Ferguson, 703-966-2689
 
DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO PROTECT TOP FUNDING PRIORITIES
~Amendment would prevent raids on funding for education, long-term care, and public safety for transportation~

Richmond, VA- Today, House Democrats proposed an amendment to the Republican Transportation proposal (HB3202) that would prevent a significant raid on the general fund without raising new taxes. The general fund is the mechanism that would fund education, higher education, public safety, environmental protection, and long term care for elderly Virginians. The amendment was defeated on mostly party lines.
 
The amendment offered by Delegate Chuck Caputo of Fairfax would have changed the transportation proposal to decrease the reliance on general funds from $250 million annually to $66 million annually, making up the difference in added motor vehicle registration fees and the increasing registration and titling charges for heavy trucks.
 
Taking $250 million annually from the general fund for transportation could provide for an extra 5,000 teachers to lower class size, help bring teacher salaries to the national average, would affect 8,000 children enrolled in preschool programs, could lower tuition a $1,000 for college students across Virginia, and could increase salaries for deputy sheriffs and state police officers to ensure they are not forced to go on food stamps.
 
“It’s wrong to suggest that we take $250 million from our children’s schools to pave our roads,” Delegate Chuck Caputo said. “Today’s amendment would have greatly reduced the impact on funding cuts for our schools, our universities, and our police officers without taking a dime from building a transportation system for the 21st century.”
 
“Paving roads on the backs of our children’s future is not the solution to our transportation crisis,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said. “Those who use our transportation system should help pay to fix our transportation crisis, not our schools, our colleges and public safety officers.” Moran rose on the floor of the House in support of the amendment. “I’m deeply saddened that the House could not agree to protect education, long-term care, and public safety from a raid for Transportation,” Moran commented after the floor vote.

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