Governor Terry McAuliffe will address the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on December 17 in a statutorily required report on the state's finances. The news will not be good nor will it be surprising. For the last two years the state has seen a steady erosion of its revenue base. Already significant cuts have been made in the budget, and the state has dipped into its rainy day fund. The problem has not been significant new spending programs; to the contrary the state has been reducing its spending over the last couple of years even though the state's economy and employment levels have seen modest growth. Representatives of local government and colleges and universities can attest to the budget reductions. A significant part of the revenue shortfall experienced in Virginia and in other states that have an income tax was the change in taxpayer behavior to accelerate gains into tax year 2012 in advance of federal rate increases on high-income taxpayers. Payments were high in the spring of 2013 but dropped dramatically in FY2014 because of the accelerated gains. With adjustments that were made to the forecast by this and other factors there was a need to make up a $2.4 billion shortfall for the biennium. Most of the reductions have been made with about $272 million cuts still needed in FY2016. Clearly there will not be any additional money under the current budget structure for higher education, preschool, mental health, or state employees who have had few raises in recent years.

 

The legislators on the money committees already know much of what the Governor will say. Money is short for the state as it is for many individuals. We will need to tighten our belts even further. According to press accounts some members of the Senate Finance Committee even used the "T" word, suggesting that rather than further cut critically important programs, we consider raising revenue. There is no way that a Tea Party dominated House of Delegates would pass a tax bill, especially during 2015 when all 140 members of the General Assembly are up for election. The reported discussion was more about tax preferences or loop holes that might be changed to increase revenue.

 

TONIGHT - Wednesday,

 

   

 

Saturday, December 6, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Reston Chorale's "The Wonder of the Season" holiday concert featuring Twas the Night Before Christmas, Ken Darby and Harry Simeone's rendition of Clement Claude Moore's beloved poem, at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Tickets required: Buy Tickets Online or call Reston Community Center Box Office at 703-476-4500, Ext. 3. For further information, contact Reston Chorale directly at 703-834-0079 or info@restonchorale.org.

Sunday, December 7, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Reston Association's Holiday Open House, at Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. For more information, call 703-476-9689 or email naturecenter@reston.org. Special sing-a-long at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, December 8, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Annual Meeting and Reception, Celebrating the Opening Phase 1 of the Silver Line, at Courtyard by Marriott Tysons Corner, 1960 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Download a Printable Registration Form. Sponsorship opportunities are available; call 571-296-1552 or send email to Patty Nicoson at dcra@dullescorridorrail.com.

Thursday, December 11, "Practices of Promise for Schools in Challenging Environments" Summit, at VA Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond. The summit is being presented by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Task Force on Schools in Challenging Environments, the Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the VCU School of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. The Task Force's full report is available at www.vsba.org.

Thursday, December 11, 3:00 p.m., 2014 National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence at Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Free, register here.

Thursday, January 8, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Town Hall Meeting with Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell, Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Come hear about issues facing the upcoming General Assembly and share your thoughts.