Press Release

Lieutenant Governor Bolling Issues Statement on Democratic Efforts to Prevent the Adoption of a State Budget

Ibbie Hedrick
804-225-2487
ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Richmond - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today issued the following statement in response to the opposition of Senate Democrats to the adoption of a state budget:

"I am extremely disappointed that Senate Democrats today chose to vote in a block against the bipartisan budget that had been developed by the Senate's Republican leadership, with significant input from our Democratic colleagues. They now stand as obstructionists to our efforts to move forward with needed investments in economic development and job creation, public education and higher education, transportation, public safety, critical health care programs and more.

"Perhaps more alarming is why Senate Democrats have chosen to take this dangerous and unprecedented action. Their opposition to the budget is not based on any valid policy objections, but rather on a misplaced and misguided effort to gain a few seats on certain Senate committees. Their actions are in the tradition of Washington gridlock, not Richmond bipartisan cooperation, and by their actions they are putting at risk critical funding for a number of programs that are vitally important to the people of Virginia.

"As I have said many times, the elections are over. Because we have 20 Republican Senators and a Republican Lieutenant Governor, we have an effective Republican majority in the Senate. Democrats need to accept that fact and work with us to build a better Virginia. They were elected to help address the important issues facing Virginia, and it is time for them to do that.

"In the days to come, I sincerely hope that our Democratic friends will stop playing political games with the state budget and join us in working to find solutions to the many significant challenges facing our state. That is the type of leadership the people of Virginia expect and deserve, and that is the type of leadership Republicans will continue to deliver."

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For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.