Democrats and Republicans Squabble Over Spending Plans

RICHMOND, March 6 -- Lawmakers traded insults Thursday over pay for teachers and money for pre-kindergarten programs as House Republicans and Senate Democrats deadlocked over spending priorities.

In dueling news conferences, the two sides accused each other of setting the stage for an extended legislative session if they are unable to resolve their differences before Saturday's scheduled adjournment.

Despite the bluster, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said he is optimistic that they can come to an agreement.

Early Thursday, House Republicans abandoned plans to recalculate how the state reimburses local governments for the cost of teacher and school support staff salaries.

They said the changes were needed to lessen the strain that public schools put on the budget.

With those savings, they planned to spend more on school construction and give teachers a 2 percent raise this year.

But Senate Democrats, backed by teacher unions, made killing the House proposal a top priority, warning that it would cripple efforts to adequately fund Virginia's schools.

House leaders said that because the Senate forced them to scrap the reimbursement overhaul, the state cannot afford to give teachers a pay raise this year or next year. State employees would still get a 3 percent pay raise this year.

The House also decided to strip all of the money for Kaine's initiative to enroll more low-income 4-year-olds in subsidized pre-kindergarten programs.

"We've got to get the money from somewhere," said Del. M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights), the House majority whip.

Senate Democrats, who are pushing to give teachers a 2.5 percent pay raise next year, reacted angrily to the House decision. Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania) accused House Republicans of putting "their grimy boots on the backs of 4-year-old children."

"This is a sad day for teachers. This is a sad day for poor 4-year-old children," Houck said.