For the second time within just a
few years, we experienced a budget stalemate at the
state Capitol. Hoping that this situation is not
hopeless, this is written in the past tense. It’s
wasn’t like the same old stalemate, though. There
were a couple of differences from a few years ago.
First, unlike Governor Mark Warner, Governor Tim Kaine
did not inherit a fiscal nightmare. Like a good scout,
Mark Warner left the Commonwealth in better fiscal
shape than when he found it.
Another difference this time is
that everyone who has an agenda also seems to have a
public relations person to express it in press releases
or press conferences or both. If the Governor’s
Office sends out a release, Speaker Bill Howell’s
office is not far behind.
