Governor Kaine Announces Legislative and Budget Successes

Press Release

Governor Kaine Announces Legislative and Budget Successes

- Highlights initiatives in mental health laws, education at all levels, campaign and election reform, public safety, sexual and domestic violence, workforce development, and natural resources -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted the success of his 2008 legislative agenda, which included major initiatives in mental health reform, economic development, early education, campaign and election reform, consumer protection, public safety, children's services and environmental protection. As the legislature adjourned sine die, the Governor issued the following statement:

"Over the past two months, we have addressed important legislative issues and faced the daunting task of developing a balanced budget during challenging economic times," Governor Kaine said. "I am pleased to announce that, through hard work, we have much to celebrate at the end of this session of the General Assembly. I thank General Assembly members for advancing so many critical policy initiatives despite the difficult budgetary realities.

"As the legislators came together this year, we were all living with raw memories of the tragedy at Virginia Tech last April. We recognized that significant changes to our mental health system were needed, and working together, we have made those changes, providing better guidelines for involuntary commitment and patient monitoring. We also took steps to ensure that people adjudicated mentally ill and dangerous cannot legally buy guns, and we now will require college campuses to develop security plans. These were central pieces of my legislative proposals this session. All told, the legislature and I have worked together to add $41.2 million to strengthen the Commonwealth's mental health system over the next two years.

"I asked legislators to significantly expand access to pre-kindergarten for at-risk children this year. While economic realities forced a limited expansion of this important program, legislators agreed that a $22 million expansion was a good investment. Because members of the General Assembly saw the value of early childhood education, Virginia will enroll thousands more at-risk children in high-quality pre-kindergarten in coming years. And legislators agreed with my proposal to fully fund the Standards of Quality, ensuring that our students will achieve beyond standard base models and move toward excellence.

"Working together, we also made significant improvements to our campaign and election laws. Our military women and men can now receive absentee ballots electronically when they are serving outside of the country. And donations made to political action committees and designated for a particular candidate will now meet the same standard of transparency that other political donations in Virginia must meet.

"Legislators also passed laws I proposed to protect consumers from identity theft. Individuals, corporations and the government will be required to notify the Attorney General and any affected resident when personal information has been accessed by an unauthorized person, and consumers will be able to freeze their credit reports, preventing anyone to apply for credit in their names.

"The General Assembly also passed my proposed legislation aimed at helping homeowners with sub-prime loans overcome pending foreclosure before they lose their home.

"The budget also includes significant money to increase payments to foster parents and for improvements to recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive parents. First Lady Anne Holton's "For Keeps" initiative will strengthen permanent family connections for older children in foster care.

"We also have invested in preserving and protecting our environment. The budget includes money to begin identifying and correcting non-point source pollution of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and it sets aside money to increase the amount of conserved open space for current and future Virginians.

"Much has been accomplished, but hard work remains. Last year, together we passed House Bill 3202 to address our transportation funding needs. With the repeal of the abusive driver fees and the Supreme Court's ruling nullifying the regional plans that last year's compromise put in place, we are once again faced with the challenge of adequately funding transportation.

"Over the coming weeks, I will meet with legislators from both houses and both parties, as well as local officials and other stakeholders to seek a funding solution for transportation, so that the issue can be addressed during a special session.

"The General Assembly also will work to close remaining differences over my proposal to significantly advance capital construction on university and community college campuses around the state. The important priority, shared by both Houses, will ensure that our schools have the capacity to educate more Virginians, train a 21st century workforce and conduct important research. I look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to craft a real solution and keep Virginia moving forward."

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