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Gov. Kaine orders state agencies to restrict hiring, limit contracts
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Gov. Tim Kaine has asked state agencies to curtail hirings and contracts in order to deal with a growing budget deficit. – Examiner file
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has directed state agencies to restrict hiring and limit consulting contracts because of a ballooning budget shortfall.
“I expect that you will only request approval for those positions that are absolutely essential, and you will need to certify this is the case,” Kaine chief of staff Wayne Turnage said in a Feb. 4 memo to the state’s Cabinet secretaries.
The directive does not apply to jobs in public safety, health and higher education.
Kaine ordered spending cuts late last year to contend with a $641 million shortfall in the current state budget, which ends in June.
Administration officials are revising their revenue forecasts to adjust for the broadening slowdown in the national economy, Turnage said, and that likely will mean slashing money from the already-reduced budget Kaine proposed in December.
“Although the magnitude of the downward adjustment will not be known until the revised forecast is presented to the General Assembly in mid-February, it is clear that the revenue correction will necessitate immediate actions on the part of state agencies to further reduce spending,” Turnage’s memo read.
Allen Laynan, president of the Virginia Public Service Workers Union, said state workers have not felt the squeeze from the budget shortage yet, but they are worried about what might be on the way.
“It’s starting to get a little bit scary,” he said. “We’ve been doing the jobs of two or three people for years now. Of course, we’re kind of anxious to see what happens.”
Laynan said he is also dismayed by a Kaine proposal to delay workers’ annual raises from December 2008 to September 2009.
Del. Jeff Frederick, R-Woodbridge, who sits on the House Finance Committee, and Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, an Appropriations Committee member, told The Examiner last week they were told the downturn would cut revenues by $200 million to $250 million, though those figures remain unofficial. It also could bring a combined $800 million to $1 billion shortfall over the next two years, Hamilton said.
tluntz@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
10:37 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 23, 2008 re: "Kaine administration cuts back spending, hiring as economy slows"
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7:13 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 23, 2008
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9:56 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 18, 2008
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7:51 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 26, 2007
re: "Kaine: ‘We can’t prevent anything’"
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5:54 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 25, 2007
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Gov. Kaine is a tax raising kook!! said:
Gov. Kaine was warned long ago that the budget was going to be bad and now he is away in Europe and the state has no more surplus. Thanks for nothing Timmy Kaine. Worst Governor in Va. in the last 30 years. He is even worse than Gilmore. Sad to say.
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Examiner Reader said:
The jobs that get cut will probably be state wage positions (D.O.C.), and these poor people make the least amount of money and do all the grunt work. In addition, the positions will be lost forever. Look at those who are over-paid, for crying out loud! There are plenty in D.O.C.
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Examiner Reader said:
Amazing. This idiot is in Europe on a "trade" mission but dictates restrictions on "non critical" travel. Give me a break. What good can possibly come from this moron's trip to Europe except to give him a taxpayers funded trip to Europe.
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Examiner Reader said:
The school's reputation took a major hit, it was the biggest story of 07. Many parents will think three times before sending their children to this school. The state failed miserably no matter what the reports or the wizard's of spin try to say. It was so bad Steve and Barry's couldn't sell the VA Tech sweatshirt's for Christmas, while UVA and Maryland slold in a flash. Kaine, along with the General Aseembly needs a real attitude adjustment.
55 agree | 48 disagree
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Joe Jena said:
You can't prevent raising taxes either can you?
63 agree | 46 disagree
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