Committees Diverge on Va. Budget

RICHMOND, Feb. 17 -- House and Senate money committees approved vastly different versions of the state budget Sunday, setting the stage for a partisan showdown over spending and taxes during the final three weeks of the legislative session.

Both committees approved more money for mental health programs, teacher salaries and public education. But a fierce partisan battle, which split the traditionally collegial Senate Finance Committee, developed over Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's plan to balance the budget while still doing more for the state's poorest residents.

In a unanimous vote, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee pared or eliminated many of the Democratic governor's spending priorities, including several of his environmental initiatives and his plan to extend subsidized pre-kindergarten to more poor children.

When it approved its own version of the budget, the Democratic-controlled Senate Finance Committee embraced many of Kaine's proposals, including the pre-kindergarten initiative.

"We believe in Virginia's future, and we believe our recommendations will help make that future better for our economy, our environment and for our citizens," said Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington), chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

The Senate Finance Committee has historically approved budgets on a unanimous, bipartisan vote. But on Sunday, the seven Republicans on the committee objected, arguing that the state could not afford the new spending.

"I never envisioned, nor did I desire, to make history like this. . . . We desperately wanted to vote for [the] budget," said Senate Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City). "It's just that, in spite of some adjustments that were made, we were unable to reconcile philosophical and policy issues where we differ."

Speaking to reporters after the two committees voted, Kaine said he was cautiously optimistic that the two parties could work together.

"I hope we're not seeing a 'we're going to take our ball and go home' mentality," Kaine said of the Republicans.

The full House and Senate will approve a budget this week. The two chambers then will have two weeks to iron out their differences before the session ends March 8.

Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said he was not worried about GOP opposition to the budget, noting that Democrats now have a 21-19 majority in the Senate.

"If we don't get it worked out, the budget gets reported off the floor