Statement of Governor Mark R. Warner on the Adjournment of the 2004 General Assembly and Adoption of a Budget

May 7, 2004

Statement of Governor Mark R. Warner on the Adjournment of the 2004 General Assembly and Adoption of a Budget

RICHMOND -Governor Mark R. Warner today issued the following statement on the adoption of a budget for the 2004-2006 biennium, and the adjournment of the 2004 General Assembly:

"Today, the General Assembly finally brought to a close the long and difficult debate over Virginia's budget. The tax and budget reform plan that won final approval will help create a brighter future for the people of Virginia. We have made the tax code fairer and more equitable, particularly for low and middle-income taxpayers. We have adopted a budget that breaks with recent history by making historic new investments in public education and human services for our most vulnerable citizens. We have invested as well in our vital public safety assets. And we have protected Virginia's hard-earned reputation for fiscally-conservative governance.

"I commend members from both political parties who made this important compromise happen. I also commend the thousands of Virginians from all walks of life who came together in an extraordinary coalition to make the case for the kind of budget and tax reform plan that has now passed. These Virginians put the interests of the Commonwealth first.

"In the two years since I took office, Virginia has faced $6 billion in budget shortfalls. We closed those shortfalls by shrinking the size of government, and by insisting on reforms that increase efficiency. Today's action does not change in any way our continuing determination to reform government and to make it more efficient. The investments made today will protect Virginia's most basic assets for years to come, and we must remain responsible stewards."