There are no good solutions or answers to this year’s budget crisis. Revenues are down significantly with no immediate prospects of increasing. Families are struggling, saving pennies and not purchasing, thereby reducing tax revenues and demand for goods and services. Altogether the economy is moving at a glacier’s pace and that means much less money available to be spent by the Commonwealth to provide for its citizens. Moreover, except for a few isolated voices that have called for a freeze in the car tax relief (which would provide more revenue for localities) and even for a renewal of the estate tax, there is no stomach in the legislature for increased fees or taxes, thereby eliminating yet another source of revenue.

With this in mind, the General Assembly tackled the biennial budget this last week. My goal was to try to insure that vital public services, particularly education and health care, were held harmless and that reduction in those services, if at all, were minimal and in non-critical areas. Public education is the backbone of a strong and vibrant democracy. Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed, both for their future and for the future of the Commonwealth. As the richest nation in the world, albeit in a difficult recession, we owe those who are most vulnerable, and often voiceless, - the elderly, children, the poor and those incapacitated by illness or disability – shelter, food, health care and the ability to live in dignity.

Working with Senator Marsh in the Richmond area to accomplish those goals, I am pleased to say that the Senate budget has adopted those same priorities. Contrary to Governor McDonnell’s recommendation, the Senate restored funding for school breakfasts. For some children, school meals are their only nutritious meals of the day and, for a child to learn and concentrate, he or she needs to not be hungry, thus to be able to apply himself to the academic tasks at hand. The Senate also rejected the Governor’s proposal to eliminate over $700 million in funding to public schools and voted that state aid to local school districts will be distributed fairly and accurately (based on population and property values) which will ensure that schools in the Richmond area receive their fair share. Contrary to what the present Governor wanted, no locality will receive less than proposed by former Governor Kaine.

Moreover, many health care services were preserved and funded. Resources were kept to keep cops in the street so our communities are safe, including funding for sheriff’s departments who are the first line of law enforcement in many rural localities. In addition, the Senate budget keeps all the state parks, an inexpensive outlet for family recreation and exercise, contrary to Governor McDonnell’s suggestion to close five of them.

Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled House budget does not have these same priorities. It decimates public education and health care, including eliminating school breakfasts and other basic, necessary services. All the Democrats in the House opposed the budget because of these kinds of drastic cuts. Now, a committee of Senators and Delegates will work together to reconcile the two budgets and create a final document with which we can all concur. Although I am not on this committee of conference, as it is called, I will continue to advocate for the necessity of public education and health care funding and for protecting the safety net for all our citizens.

If you have any questions or concerns about the budget or any other legislation, please feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 804.698.7509. More information about the legislative session can be found on my website at www.donaldmceachin.com. Serving you is one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life and I thank you. Please, however, let me know what you are thinking and what I can do to be a better State Senator as we work together to make the capital region the best it can be.