WASHINGTON — Countering Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s two-year budget plan, House Republicans have unveiled their spending blueprint that they say boosts education spending, provides state workers a much-needed pay raise and continues to block the governor’s request to expand Medicaid.
“The best part is catching up on K through 12 education. We can’t just keep scrimping on that and expect to get away with it long-term,” says Del. Jim LeMunyon, (R-Chantilly), a member of the House Education committee.
The House Republican budget would provide about $70 million more for K–12 education than what the governor has requested, redirecting an additional $59 million that the governor requested for economic development. The Republican education budget also seeks $66 million more in higher education spending than what McAulliffe has asked for in a bid to hold tuition hikes to no more than 3 percent.
The House budget asks for a 3 percent pay raise for state employees. The governor’s budget envisions a raise of 2 percent.
State Republicans and the governor continue to disagree on the governor’s long-standing request that the Medicaid roles be expanded by 400,000.
“We just don’t feel like, based on the lessons that we’ve seen in other states, that we want to expand Medicaid,” says Delegate Rich Anderson, (R-Woodbridge).
House Republicans and the governor agree on a plan aimed at reducing traffic congestion in northern Virginia.
“The funding that’s in there, of course, to widen I-66, it’s in there, $140 million,” says LeMunyon.
