Subject: [big campaign] RELEASE: ProgressVA Criticizes Governor for Disingenuous Budget Claims
From: Aniello Alioto <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Cc: Anna Scholl <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:07:45 -0400
List-Id: <bigcampaign.googlegroups.com>

FYI - VA is in a very different position than most states (i.e. budget
SURPLUS)... which provides us a unique opportunity.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anna Scholl <[email-masked]>

For Immediate Release

Contact: Anna Scholl (434) 218-2113<https://www.google.com/voice/b/1#phones>
[email-masked]

*ProgressVA Criticizes Governor for Disingenuous Budget Claims*

*$311 Million Projected Surplus Dwarfed by State’s Debts And Outstanding
Obligations*

Charlottesville, VA - Governor McDonnell today announced Virginia has a
budget “surplus” of $311 million.  ProgressVA sharply criticized the
Governor’s handling of the state budget for failing to fully fund the
state’s obligation to the Virginia Retirement System while also cutting
funds from vital public safety and health programs.

“The Governor’s claims to fiscal responsibility are disingenuous at best,”
said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA. “Our debts and
obligations far outstrip the projected budget surplus. The Governor has
essentially run up the state’s credit card and now wants a pat on the back
for leaving a few dollars in the bank account.”

While Virginia is constitutionally required to have a balanced budget, the
burden of that balance has been laid on the backs of middle-class workers.  The
Governor’s pension reform legislation has reduced the take-home pay for
thousands of state employees while continuing the to leave the pension funds
of teachers and police officers drastically underfunded. At the same time
the state has cut general fund aid to localities, leaving localities with a
choice between slashing police officers, school teachers, and children’s
programs from their budgets or increasing property taxes.

In addition to those cuts, Governor McDonnell has run up the state’s credit
card, pushing a $3 billion transportation bond plan through the General
Assembly and putting off millions of dollars in contributions to the
Virginia Retirement System.

“Its time for Governor McDonnell to level with taxpayers about the state’s
finances,” said Scholl.

*About ProgressVA*

ProgressVA is a progressive multi-issue advocacy organization. Year round,
ProgressVA works to engage citizens from across the state around issues of
immediate state or local concern. Our mission is to provide a strong,
credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community
problems.

###

-- 
Anna Scholl
Executive Director|ProgressVA
cell - (540) 460-1269
www.progressva.org
@ProgressVA
www.facebook.com/ProgressVA

-- 
Aniello Alioto
National Political Director
[email-masked]
o: 202.756.4109
c: 502.664.2420

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