Contact: G. Paul Nardo
(804) 698-1228
gpnardo@house.virginia.gov
www.williamjhowell.org
January 26, 2009
Seeking to accelerate bipartisan work on the number one priority for lawmakers during the 2009 Session, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today designated and announced delegates to serve as members of the Committee of Conference on House Bill 1600, Amendments to the 2008-2010 Biennial Budget. Governor Kaine submitted his budget proposals last month and recommended spending cuts and tax increases to close the current budget shortfall of at least $3 billion.
Speaker Howell named Delegates Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford), Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News), M. Kirkland “Kirk” Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Johnny S. Joannou (D-Portsmouth), Beverly J. Sherwood (R-Frederick), and Clarke N. Hogan (R-Halifax) to serve as conferees for the House in negotiations with the Senate to amend the existing state budget and bring it into balance as required by the state Constitution.
“With Virginia families, businesses and taxpayers struggling financially and state government facing a multi billion dollar revenue shortfall, common sense dictates announcing legislators who will participate in these important negotiations as soon as possible so productive work on the budget can begin as soon as possible,” said Speaker Howell. “The House Appropriations Committee began working months ago to closely examine the spending cuts recommended by Governor Kaine. Since the 2009 session began, House budget writers have been making steady progress on the very challenging task of finding prudent and responsible ways to fund core services with available taxpayer resources.
“I had a productive talk today with Senator Charles J. Colgan (D-Manassas), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and it is my hope that the Senate will follow suit, designating their conferees and beginning meaningful discussions as soon as possible. Reaching agreement on amendments to the budget on schedule and by the time we are set to adjourn is not an insurmountable task. An early start by conferees will aid us in ensuring this year’s session ends on time and with our number one task having been completed.”
Delegate Putney serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and has been a budget conferee for many years. Delegate Hamilton was first appointed as a budget conferee in 2003. Delegates Cox and Joannou were first appointed as budget conferees in 2004. For Delegates Sherwood and Hogan, this will be their second year as budget conferees.
“The people of Virginia rightfully expect us to balance the budget as required by the state Constitution and complete our work before the scheduled end cf the 2009 General Assembly session on February 28,” remarked Chairman Putney. “The committee has been working productively since well before session began, and it is our desire and intent to successfully complete our assignment on time. I hope our counterparts in the Senate will join us in this effort and begin our discussions very soon.”
