Posts Tagged ‘Tim Kaine’
One Local School District Forecasts Big Layoffs
We are just starting to truly understand the real impact of Governor Tim Kaine‘s proposed cuts to education. While the Governor is proposing a broad set of cuts in many different sectors, education is far and away the largest portion of the budget. It is impossible to fill a $3 billion dollar hole, without education feeling some pain.
Governor Kaine has repeatedly said that his goal is to avoid hurting instruction. He believes he can cut, what could be anywhere from $400 to $700 million without major changes to the classroom. Education experts we have talked to say that isn’t possible. On Friday, we talk to one superintendent who is already starting to calculate the cost.
Dr. Charles Maranzano is the superintendent at Dinwiddie County Public Schools. (You can see his blog by clicking here) A small school district with about 750 employees. Early estimates show Maranzano will be forced to trim close to $3 million dollars from his budget. He told me he simply cannot do that without taking some from the classroom. (73% of his budget is spent on cost directly associated to instruction). As it stands now, Dinwiddie is preparing to cut 59 positions. 34 of which will be teachers. A real illustration of where the pain will be felt.
Now of course with $3 billion still to cut, it has to come from somewhere. I asked Dr. Maranzano, if not from education than from where? He says the education community will be able to absorb some cuts, but he believes the Governor needs to explore other sources of revenues. He suggested placing tolls on some roadways, or more tax increases above and beyond just his proposal to tax cigarettes.
You can see my report from Friday night by clicking here.. Read the rest of this entry »
Cantor “Concerned” About Kaine As DNC Chair
We spoke to Rep. Eric Cantor today about a wide range of topics, including the hearing that he hosted yesterday on the economy. With the loss of a few key members of the Republican House Delegation, Mr. Cantor (along with gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell) has become one of the most prominent members of the GOP in Virginia.
That is why we asked the Congressman for his opinion on Gov. Tim Kaine‘s appointment to the head of the Democratic National Committee. Cantor told us that with all of the issues facing Virginia, he hopes the Governor can keep his focus.
Here is his exact quote:
“Well certainly I’m concerned, Virginia has any number of challenges before it right now. You know our road networks are in desperate need of repair, obviously we are continuing to grow as a commonwealth, we have needs in the health care arena, the education arena, not to mention over a 3 billion dollar shortfall this year in our state budget, So I am hoping the Governor will have the ability to concentrate on Virginia first, because that should be his priority, he is the chief executive of the Commonwealth.”
I am working to get the video of his quote into the computer, I will share that with you when I do.
*UPDATE*
See the video of Rep. Cantor’s comments by clicking here.
Kaine Outlines Cuts to Education
Gov. Tim Kaine has outlined how he plans to cut funding from the State’s budget for education. The Governor already released his budget amendments back in December, so this wasn’t much of a surprise. As expected, it is not pretty. The Governor delivered his recommendations to the State Board of Education today.
Here is the story via the AP:
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s proposed budget for 2008-2010 would trim nearly $700 million from Virginia’s public education system. A report presented Thursday to the state Board of Education detailed Kaine’s amendments to the Direct Aid to Public Education budget. The proposed reductions come in light of a projected $2.9 billion drop in general fund revenues stemming from the nationwide economic meltdown.
The proposed amendments to the 2008-2010 budget would reduce state funding for K-12 education by $96.1 million in the 2009 fiscal year, which ends June 30, and by $602.6 million in fiscal year 2010, which starts July 1. The report says the proposed cuts would reduce state funding to local school divisions by $375 million, or 6 percent, from the current to the next fiscal year.
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You read that right, $700 million in cuts. I am working on this story tonight for NBC12 and will have more tonight, beginning in our 5 o’clock newscast.
General Assembly-Eve
Richmond is abuzz as lawmakers from across the Commonwealth are in town preparing for the start of another legislative session. It is a session that is filled with a number of plots and sub-plots and we plan to keep a close eye on here at Decision Virginia and on NBC12.
Here are a few issues I am interested in:
The Kaine Legacy
This session is of course, Governor Tim Kaine‘s final session as Virginia’s governor. Many political experts have said that, at this point, the Governor’s legacy will be marked more by his electoral success than his legislative success. This could be the last attempt to push through some hallmark changes that will be forever connected to his administration. Banning smoking in public places, closing the gun show loophole or even something like establishing early voting in Virginia have the potential to establish Kaine’s mark beyond turning Virginia blue.
The Budget Battle
Perhaps the biggest impediment to Tim Kaine creating a lasting legislative victory, will be the incredibly difficult budget battle ahead. Money will be the overwhelming concern of legislators and their constituents. When discussing cuts to things like education and public safety, people may not be all that concerned about dealing with smoking in public places. If the Governor can find early agreement on some of the most contentious budget issues, it may make negotiating over these controversial legislative plans a little easier.
I have more after the jump..
Partisan In Chief
Andy Jenks covered today’s press event where Gov. Tim Kaine confirmed that he will be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
He filed this report for Decision Virginia:
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In a late afternoon news conference, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine confirmed Sunday’s reports that he’ll be tapped as the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. We learned more about how Kaine sees the role, and how he plans to work effectively for Virginians and President-Elect Obama in 2009.
What the job as chairman means:
-Supervise DNC operations (with phone and e-mail never too far away)
-Raise money
-Promote Obama’s agenda (you’ll see a lot of him on the Sunday talk shows)
What the job as chairman does NOT mean:
-Leaving office
-Full time involvement in 2009
-Money (Kaine will work for no pay this year)
As is well known, in November Kaine rejected the idea of becoming DNC Chairman, saying it was not something he viewed as “consistent” with being governor. But Obama convinced him otherwise a week before Christmas, calling it an “all hands on deck” moment for the country. Of Obama, Kaine said, “He’s a very persuasive guy.”
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Kaine To Meet The Press
Gov. Tim Kaine is expected to appear before reporters today at 4pm to address the reports that he will become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
We have a crew on the scene and have reports during our early evening newscasts and then a full recap later here at Decision Virginia.
Kaine and The Budget (Video Included)
Governor Tim Kaine announced his plans to amend the state’s biennial budget. Among some ceremonial things like reducing his own salary, the Governor announced some deep spending cuts, a series of fee increases and a rollback of the state’s workforce.
This new round of cuts amounts to about $400 million dollars and the Governor plans on cutting the state’s workforce by about 1,500 positions. Education, health care and transportation are all part of the cutbacks.
Republicans, who have already reacted negatively to the cutbacks and fee increases the Governor’s office leaked prior to today’s address, continued that drumbeat today. Attorney General Bob McDonnell, a candidate for Governor, reacted to Kaine’s proposals by saying “Some are sound and I will support them. Others I do not support.”
McDonnell and republicans and the legislature specifically pointed to Kaine’s proposals to increase spending. He has proposed increases to programs that would appear to have additional need during a downturn in the economy. Kaine is calling for increases to the Virginia Opportunity Fund and a increase for funding for Virginia’s food banks.
You can read all the details behind Governor Kaine’s proposals by clicking here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/
We are continuing to follow this story and will have complete coverage in tonight’s newscasts. You can see Jola Szubielski’s report from our noon news by clicking here.
McAuliffe To Help House Dems
I am sure if you are a regular reader of this blog you already have read Glenn Thrush’s piece on Politico’s front page today about Terry McAuliffe‘s ambitions to run for Governor of Virginia. It is a great inside look at where McAulifee is and what circumstances could lead to him becoming the democratic nominee.
While the piece talks at length about the pros and cons to a McAuliffe candidacy, I thought the most interesting bit of news revealed was the commitment that “The Macker”, as insiders call him, has made to support democratic efforts to take control of the House of Delegates. The lower half of the General Assembly is the last bastion of GOP power in Virginia (although the Democratic lead in the Senate is slim and their chances of holding on to the Governor’s mansion is 50-50 at best.)
According to the article, the prodigious fundraiser, plans to set a target and raise enough cash to fill the coffers of democratic candidates in Virginia right on down the line. They did not disclose a specific sum, but speculated that it could be as much as $75 million. That is an incredible sum of cash to use as a carrot for hardcore party faithful, that want help for their small time house races.
This strategy, plays right into the heart of Del. Brian Moran‘s base. Moran, while unknown in many parts of the state is a lion of the General Assembly and continually boasts of his support amongst grass roots democrats. The type of people who helped Tim Kaine and Mark Warner get elected. Moran, the house democratic leader, takes a least some of the credit for shrinking the republican majority and has worked hard to reach out to these supporters by being “one of them”. His hope is to draw the comparison that McAuliffe is an outsider who doesn’t know their process and hasn’t paid his Virginia dues.
Will that argument hold when these same supporters and potential and current candidates are presented with the possibility of big bucks to help topple a GOP institution in Richmond? McAuliffe has said that his commitment to the Democratic Party of Virginia is separate from his plans to run for Governor, but it would be hard to imagine that he would attack small time legislative races with the same zeal, were he not the candidate for Governor.
Another level of incredible intrigue in what promises to be a hectic primary.
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