Va. House, Senate Pass Divergent Budgets

Legislature Is Facing Tough Reconciliation

RICHMOND, Feb. 21 -- The Virginia Senate and House approved separate versions of the state budget Thursday amid unusual partisanship that has hardened the ideological split between Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly.

The GOP-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate will spend the next two weeks trying to resolve their differences, a task complicated by a budget shortfall.

Both spending plans include more money for mental health, public education and foster care, but the two chambers differ over whether to fund some of the priorities of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). Republicans and Democrats also disagree on how much money should be transferred from the state's reserve fund to help close a $640 million shortfall in the current year's budget.

The extent of the state's monetary woes is highlighted in a new report from state transportation officials, who might have to slow the pace of road construction because of a $1.1 billion shortfall in the six-year transportation plan.

The gap means there could be a 40 to 50 percent reduction in state funding of urban and primary and secondary roads unless revenues increase by fiscal 2014, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

GOP lawmakers, who ironed out a deal last year to provide more than $1 billion in new money annually for transportation, said the report was an exaggeration.

The House passed its budget by a vote of 93 to 5 but only after the GOP majority stymied Democrats' attempts over several hours to include more money for education and social services.

In the Senate, for the first time in recent history, all 19 Republicans voted against the budget after a fierce debate that left bitter feelings on both sides.

"I almost feel like I have been sucker-punched," Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania) said. "The lines have been drawn in the sand."

Senate Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City) fired back, "All of you know me very well, and you know if I am going to punch you, first I am going to tell you I am going to punch you and then I am going to punch you in the face."

Senate Republicans have traditionally worked closely with their Democratic colleagues, including aligning with Kaine and predecessor Mark R. Warner to solve budget impasses. But Senate Republicans say they felt shut out of the process this year.

The House budget greatly reduced or eliminated funding for many of Kaine's priorities, including his pre-kindergarten, health-care and environmental initiatives.