Senator Whipple's Richmond Report

What a week! Rumors abounded and gossip spread rampant! And the public was speaking.

The Speaker of the House would insist on a referendum; the next day its chief negotiator said it wouldn't. Not to mention the Governor said the whole idea was irresponsible and unworkable and he would veto it.

The Republican House Caucus hadn't even been consulted about the referendum, some reported quietly. Even more quietly, as many as 14 Republican delegates met to consider joining forces with the House Democrats to forge a responsible budget. Threats or at least appeals for unity came from the Speaker.

For once the public was taking an active role in shaping the outcome.

Early in the week we heard from the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors. In unusually harsh language they castigated most of the delegates and senators from their area for refusing to support tax revenues that would support a budget that fulfills the state's obligations. Indeed, they said, the representatives could almost be considered "enemies of the state." Quite a missive from a conservative Republican board.

Next to be heard from was the "First Cities' Coalition". Representing the 15 poorest urban areas, the spokespersons had a lot to say. They are in desperate need of state assistance, especially for education, and unable to adopt their local budgets until they have some idea of how much money will be coming in.

Transportation interests weighed in with pages of bar charts illustrating the differences among the Governor's, House and Senate budgets, complete with details for each transportation district. At the bottom of each page was a listing of projects that could be built if the better-funded Senate budget is adopted.

Not to be outdone were the mental health advocates who sent daily real-life stories of people who need the services provided by the state.

The AARP conducted a poll. The headline on the press release said (in large bold print): "Independent Research: 68% of Virginians Believe State Has Serious Problems; Support Balanced Tax Reform to Meet Essential State Needs".

The research showed that "60% of Virginia voters support a tax reform package that includes tax increases through state sales, cigarette, gasoline, corporate and some income taxes" with even greater support "if it helps Virginia provide quality public and higher education (77%) and balances the state budget "without more major cuts in spending to meet major needs (73%)."

By the end of the week television ads from the Foundation for Virginia were on the air in all major media markets except Northern Virginia urging support for the Senate budget and asking viewers to call their legislators.

Amidst this backdrop the budget conference committee of five delegates and four senators started discussions aimed at bridging the gap between the House and Senate versions of the budget.