Christopher Newport University’s Center for Public Policy asked Virginians how they thought the General Assembly should deal with the state’s revenue shortfall this year. The answers should warm the hearts of fiscal conservatives everywhere: 56 percent picked the response, “Cover the shortfall by reducing spending as much as needed but don’t raise taxes and don’t tap the Rainy Day Reserve Fund.”
Gov. Tim Kaine’s approach — “reduce spending on some programs but continue to fund most programs at their current level by tapping the Rainy Day Reserve Fund” — received only 31 percent positives.
And an audacious 9 percent responded, “Cover the budget shortfall with tax increases but don’t touch the Rainy Day Reserve Fund.”
And what programs would people cut?
55 percent picked “transportation” as their first or second choice.
41 percent chose, “social services to low-income Virginians”
27 percent “public safety”
18 percent “health care”
16 percent “education”
14 percent “all areas equally”
19 percent, don’t cut anything
Ladies and gentlemen of the legislature, you have your marching orders.
