The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Robert Hurt |
Monday, March 8, 2010
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
The future economic stability of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) could be jeopardized by the Senate budget proposal to take $500 million from the VRS to fund ongoing state programs for the next two years, State Sen. Robert Hurt said.
"I believe that this action may threaten the future stability of our state retirement system, and I also believe it is unwise to use one-time money to pay for ongoing funding for state programs," he said.
Hurt, a Republican who represents Franklin County in the Senate, said he agrees with Gov. Bob McDonnell that the state budget should be balanced without raising taxes.
But Hurt said he has several concerns about the Senate budget, apart from dipping into the VRS fund.
"I am concerned about the tremendous number of unnecessary fee increases that are a part of the Senate budget," he said.
Hurt, a former prosecutor, said he also has concerns about the budget language that seeks to reverse criminal justice reforms.
"I do not believe that this budget should balanced by looking for ways to release criminals from incarceration before they have served the sentences imposed upon them by our Virginia judges and juries," Hurt said.
He is also worried that the Senate budget does not make funding for economic development a greater priority.
"Gov. McDonnell has made it clear that we need to encourage job growth here in Virginia so that Virginia businesses can lead us out of our economic recession," he said.
Hurt said he hopes that the Senate budget conferees will see the wisdom of this approach.
Hurt is also concerned about a proposal in the House budget to use Tobacco Commission funds for funding Route 58 and funding Southside higher education centers.
"Tobacco Commission funds have been indispensable in promoting economic development in Southside and must be protected from being raided by the legislature for other purposes when times get tight," Hurt said. |
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