Governor Kaine Announces Bipartisan Legislative and Budget Success

Highlights initiatives in health and health care, transportation, early education, tax reform, public safety, natural resources, and economic development

Richmond, VA -- February 24, 2007 -- Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted the bipartisan success of his 2007 legislative agenda, which included major initiatives in health care, economic development, early education, tax reform, public safety, and transportation. As the legislature  adjourned sine die, the Governor issued the following statement:

"When I addressed the legislature about the state of the Commonwealth in January, I focused on what we can accomplish when we work together -- smarter government that works for Virginians.  As the legislature adjourns, I am pleased to announce that, working together, we have taken meaningful steps towards that goal.

"Our legislative package and budgetary initiatives were designed to keep Virginia moving forward in health and health care, economic development, early education, tax reform, public safety, natural resources, and transportation.  In all of those areas, with significant bipartisan support, we have succeeded in making improvements that will make a real difference for Virginians across the Commonwealth.

"In health care, the legislature agreed to raise the threshold for covering prenatal care for pregnant women under Medicaid to 185% of the poverty level. This is a significant step forward in reducing Virginia's infant mortality rate.  We also took steps to help more young people enter the nursing profession. In addition, the legislature passed our bills addressing childhood obesity and other measures to strengthen health and health care in Virginia.

"In the coming year, because of bipartisan actions taken this session, Virginia will enroll more at-risk children in high-quality pre-kindergarten, and at the same time test models for using private sector providers to increase access for more four-year-olds.  We will also provide more first- and second-graders who are reading below grade level the extra help that they need.  Both measures are important steps towards increasing the number of children who can read on grade level by the 3rd grade.

"This session, we reduced the tax burden on working Virginians by raising the threshold at which Virginia begins to collect income taxes, taking more than 140,000 people off of the income tax rolls.  The legislature also acted on our proposed homestead exemption constitutional amendment, taking a first step toward providing significant tax relief to homeowners.

"We have also made significant strides in protecting our natural resources.  The legislature passed my $250 million funding bill, making a historic commitment to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, and through the budget, we invested in innovative, locally-driven land protection efforts.

"This session, legislators dedicated significant time and energy to transportation.  The legislature approved land use bills that our administration recommended on subdivision streets, incident management, and access management, and accepted our proposal to direct $500 million in surplus revenue to critical transportation projects.

"However, when the final conference report on a long-term revenue package for transportation was developed, too few people were involved, and as a result, the bill on its way to my desk is not only insufficient to address Virginia's needs, but contains numerous issues to address.  I will use the 30 days between now and the reconvened session on April 4 to consult with legislators, local elected officials, and other stakeholders to fix the problems in the bill and reach a comprehensive, long-term, and statewide transportation solution."

Additionally, the Governor's budget and legislative package included successful measures to

• make quality and safety priorities in health care regulation
• strengthen health and health care for women and minorities;
• provide $12 million to locate SRI International in the Shenandoah Valley;
• provide critical broadband access to more regions of Virginia;
• provide additional employment protections for National Guard members serving on state duty;
• provide for a tuition waiver for spouses and dependents of National Guard members killed during state service;
• enhance law enforcement retirement benefits for state troopers and deputy sheriffs.

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