Va. House Cuts Hit Schools, Health Safety Net

More than 100 protest education cuts

The Virginia House of Delegates proposes a dire new state budget that will cut Medicaid funding and eligibility, increase school class sizes and cut public school funding.

The Appropriations Committee's spending blueprint through 2012 made public Sunday reflects many of the $2 billion in unprecedented cuts Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell suggested last week.

But it rejects his proposals for five annual employee furlough
days, spares further cuts to colleges, kills a proposed out-of-pocket employee retirement contribution and provides a 2011 Christmas bonus.

The Senate Finance committee was expected to unveil a budget later Sunday that would cut less to public schools and to health care safety net programs.

More than 100 people protested proposed cuts outside the building where Virginia legislators from both chambers were presenting their budgets.

Adults and children holding signs and chanting "save our schools" lined the streets Sunday outside the General Assembly building.

Virginia schools stands to lose $730 million over the next 2 1/2 years in the cuts McDonnell proposed last week.

The governor's recommendations include rolling back the base state support for local public schools to 2008 levels, using buses longer and not funding sports coaches in education.

The state is facing a $4 billion budget gap through 2012.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us