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$77 billion budget ready for lawmakers' vote

By Seth McLaughlin
March 13, 2008

Associated Press Delegates Brian J. Moran (left) and Phillip A. Hamilton were able to resolve their differences on public safety spending.

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RICHMOND — House and Senate budget negotiators yesterday finalized a $77 billion, two-year spending proposal that lawmakers will take up today when they return to the Capitol.

"It was a hard budget and hard economic times," said Sen. R. Edward Houck, Spotsylvania Democrat. "I think one of the things that happened in this particular budget conference is there were a lot more philosophical differences."

A projected revenue slowdown is expected to leave a $980 million shortfall in the budget through June 30 and nearly $2 billion by June 2010. Lawmakers reached the agreement after extending the General Assembly session for the third time in four years.

The 12 budget negotiators made a handshake deal after resolving differences on public safety.

The Senate dropped a $4.6 million demand for jail-diversion programs for prisoners finishing their sentences. In exchange, the House agreed to appropriate $7 million for 14 drug courts.

The package grants $2.6 million for regional jail expansions in western Virginia and Rappahannock and $1.5 million for Alicia"s law, a program that targets adults who solicit children for sex over the Internet. The law is named for Alicia Kozkeiwicz, who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by an online predator when she was 13.

The negotiators said they were flooded with calls from supporters across the country, including Alicia"s mother.

"Every time you bring a computer into your home, you provide online predators with access to your children," said Delegate Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus.

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