Facing a $3.6B Budget Shortfall, Will the Knife Cut Here too?

Photo by Kirsten Obadal About 25 residents came to City Hall to address issues of concern to them prior to the new legislative assembly meeting scheduled to begin on Jan. 13.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Once the stimulus dollars are spent, where doeth the knife fall?
 
That question seemed to be the on everyone's mind last Thursday at City Hall, when Alexandria’s delegates to the state legislature Charnielle Herring (D-46th) and David Englin (D-45th) listened to the concerns of a number of city residents about the strapped state budget.
 

Photo by Kirsten Obadal Del. Charnielle Herring speaks with a citizen at legislative hearing

State Senator Patsy Ticer also put in an appearance to hear concerns.  About 25 residents came to city hall to address issues of concern to them prior to the new legislative assembly meeting scheduled to begin Jan. 13.  Most of those present were concerned about cuts that Gov. Tim Kaine has included in his proposed budget that would affect benefits for the elderly and disabled.
 
The Commonwealth faces a revenue shortfall in 2010 of $3.6 billion.  Steep cuts in Gov. Kaine’s budget attempt to mitigate that shortfall.  The governor proposes to close several mental health facilities and to reduce funding for crisis mental health treatment.  He also seeks to reduce spending in mental health community service boards.  
 
Other budget cuts are proposed for public schools and colleges, state employee positions, to include further layoffs, and cutting the budget for sheriffs, commonwealth attorneys, and other constitution officers.
 
Those city residents who spoke at the hearing expressed their concern for reductions in benefits for the disabled needing special care and services for the aging.
 
Additionally, citizen Nancy Jennings, a member of the BRAC advisory group, spoke in favor of additional lanes allowing access to the proposed building site from 395.  BRAC is a facility to be situated at Mark Center near Seminary Hill.  Delegate Charnielle Herring has already registered her opposition to the proposed additional lanes, citing the integrity of the nearby wildlife preserve.
 

Photo by Kirsten Obadal Del. David Englin (D-45th) listens to a disabled citizen

When asked by Local Kicks what she hopes to accomplish in the coming session, Herring said she wants “to protect the most vulnerable, the aging and those on disability...and the homeless.”  
 
"Along with David Englin I am patroning a new assistance bill to help them.  It makes fiscal sense,” she concluded.
 
Herring, Englin and other state delegates will have a difficult task in funding special needs individuals with the commonwealth facing such severe revenue shortfalls.
 
Contact the writer at kirstenobadal@hotmail.com