Senator Houck Reports From Richmond
February 15, 2010
Thank you to everyone who completed my 2010 General Assembly survey and to
everyone who attended the community forums held at Courtland High School and Orange
County High School this past weekend. It is my strong belief that open communication
and outreach to citizens is an important part of being a representative of the people.
At the forum, constituents advocated on behalf of family members with disabilities,
emphasizing the crucial role of community based program waivers. Educators stressed
the importance of K-12 education and the need to protect it from further reductions.
Sheriffs, treasurers, commissioners of revenue, clerks of the court, and commonwealth's
attorneys also spoke about the contributions their offices provide to the community.
Other individuals, who discussed high taxes and excessive government spending, favored
budget reductions.
During the forums, I presented an overview of the proposed $4 billion reduction in
Virginia's budget and its effect on jobs. These cuts will lead to approximately 50,000
Virginians losing their jobs. Estimated job losses include 30,000 teachers and support
staff from Virginia's public school systems. Hospitals and nursing homes will lose
approximately 8,000 jobs. Up to 1,500 sheriff deputies will lose their jobs.
Furthermore, nearly 2,600 state employees will be laid off. Lastly, around 1,500
positions will be lost at Virginia's colleges and universities.
Below are the results of the survey, which focused on closing the $4 billion shortfall in
the budget. 572 individuals responded.
QUESTIONS:
1. How do you close the shortfall? TOTAL PERCENTAGE
Spending reductions 149 26%
Tax Increases 88 15%
A combination of both 257 45%
2. What cuts do you support?
Public Education 80 14%
Sheriff Departments 90 16%
Local Police departments 96 17%
Medicaid funding 102 18%
Higher education 244 43%
3. What spending increases do you support?
Delay car tax reimbursement 283 49%
One percent income tax increase 248 43%
Sell ABC stores 318 56%
Here are links to various government websites:
Joint Commission On Health Care