Legislative Advocacy Archives
December 19, 2003
Governor Warner Announces 2004-2006 Budget
On Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Governor Warner presented his amendments to the 2004 budget and his 2004-2006 biennial budget to the Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Finance committees. The Governor's budget recommended a number of tax reform strategies that have made headlines since being announced Thanksgiving week.
The Governor's budget includes new funding of $761 million for elementary and public education, $144 million for higher education, $97 million for prison security, $870 million for health and human services, and $392 for transportation. Funding for a 3% pay increase for state employee salaries for 2005 was also a component of the Governor's budget. Most of this new funding is contingent on his tax reform package passing.
Some of the higher education initiatives receiving new General Fund support in the Governor's proposed budget include:
- Need-based student financial aid
- Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund
- Virtual Library of Virginia
- Operation and maintenance for new facilities which begin operating next fiscal year
- Research funding for Mid-Atlantic Terascale Partnership
General Fund support of $82.1 million is included to offset a portion of the $397 in base adequacy needs identified at public colleges and universities by the Joint Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding Policies in 2001. Budget language was also submitted to allow institutions to raise tuition to help recover part of this funding.
In addition to these higher education initiatives common to all public colleges and universities, funding was also allocated for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, a public/private partnership with Virginia Tech, Averett University, Danville Community College, and public and private bodies and organizations in Southside Virginia.
More information on the Governor's Tax Reform Package can be found at the following website: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/TaxReform/index.htm
The General Assembly session begins on Wednesday, January 14. Revenue related legislation and budget language will be submitted to amend or change the Governor's budget.
Virginia Tech Alumni in the General Assembly
| Delegate William K. Barlow | Counties of Isle of Wight (part), James City (part), Southampton (part), and Surry; Cities of Franklin (part) and Williamsburg |
| Delegate Frank D. Hargrove, Sr. | County of Hanover (part) |
| Delegate Robert D. Hull | County of Fairfax (part) |
| Delegate Johnny S. Joannou | Cities of Chesapeake (part), Norfolk (part), Portsmouth (part), and Suffolk (part) |
| Delegate Allen L. Louderback | Counties of Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham (part), and Shenandoah |
| Delegate Joe T. May | Counties of Clarke and Loudoun (part) |
| Delegate Michele B. McQuigg | County of Prince William (part) |
| Delegate David A. Nutter | Counties of Montgomery (part) and Pulaski (part); City of Radford |
| Delegate G. Glenn Oder | City of Newport News (part) |
| Delegate Robert D. Orrock, Sr. | Counties of Caroline (part) and Spotsylvania (part) |
| Delegate Harry J. Parrish | County of Prince William (part); Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park |
| Delegate Thomas D. Rust | Counties of Fairfax (part) and Loudoun (part) |
| Delegate Edward T. Scott | Counties of Culpeper, Madison, and Orange (part) |
| Delegate James M. Shuler | Counties of Alleghany, Bath, Craig, Giles (part), and Montgomery (part); City of Covington |
| Senator John H. Chichester | Fredericksburg City (part); Counties of Fauquier (part), King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Prince William (part), Richmond, Stafford, and Westmoreland |
| Senator Mark D. Obenshain | Harrisonburg City; Counties of Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham (part), Shenandoah, and Warren |
| Senator Phillip P. Puckett | Counties of Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Pulaski (part), Russell, Smyth (part), Tazewell, Wise (part), and Wythe (part) |
| Senator John C. Watkins | Counties of Amelia, Chesterfield (part), Cumberland (part), Goochland (part), Henrico (part), and Powhatan; Richmond City (part) |