WASHINGTON — In the Republican response to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s State of the Commonwealth address, Sen. Frank Ruff, of Mecklenburg County, identified areas in which the Democratic governor and the Republican-led general assembly might come to terms on a two-year spending plan.
“I know we will find common ground with him on efforts to increase funding for our public schools, for mental health care, for public safety and for our veterans,” Ruff said.
But Ruff rejected the governor’s call that Medicaid in the state be expanded.
“Expanding the program further would not be prudent, and would only increase the funding pressures on other state core services,” Ruff said.
Joining in the Republican statement, Del. Rob Bell, from Albemarle County, criticized McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring for using executive actions and bypassing the General Assembly.
“We’ve been disappointed by recent unilateral actions by the current administration. Our system of government is founded on the Constitutional principles of a separation of powers,” Bell said.
Republican Prespective on SOTC
