McDonell expected to unveil budget cuts today

[Blue_Tires]

RICHMOND

Gov. Bob McDonnell's budget-cutting strategy ranges from deep cuts in base funding for public schools to state worker furloughs and eliminating programs to aid the homeless, according to confidential legislative working papers.

The Associated Press on Tuesday obtained a four-page summary assembled by a legislative budget writing committee from briefings senior McDonnell budget advisers gave to committee members and staffs.

McDonnell is expected to outline his plan to trim $2.1 billion from the state budget during a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

McDonnell spokesman J. Tucker Martin declined to comment on the document late Tuesday.

It is the most detailed accounting yet of the administration's priorities in attempting to reconcile a $4 billion revenue shortfall for state budgets through 2012, and provides the first clear picture of who will suffer the most from McDonnell's proposed cuts.

The document shows that McDonnell wants to cut $730 million in state support to local schools from kindergarten through high school.

The largest bite comes from resetting the funding base to that used in fiscal year 2006, a two-year reduction totaling $225 million. Other cuts to education include $130 million from removing state salary supplements for sports coaches and department chairs, nearly $92 million from eliminating initiatives such as Mentor Teacher and school breakfast programs and nearly $20 million in savings from extending the work lives of school buses.

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/02/mcdonell-expected-unveil-budget-cuts-today