VA Governor Outlines Budget Revisions, Voter Protection Measures

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam proposed a scaled-down state budget Tuesday as the General Assembly returned to Richmond for a special session to address budget, racial justice, police reform and election issues.

Northam said Virginia has been able to avoid cutting services or laying off large numbers of state workers. "This is no accident. It is the result of taking thoughtful actions, and making prudent decisions," the governor said in prepared remarks to lawmakers.

In the first few weeks of the pandemic, the state put a freeze on hiring, limited travel, and froze discretionary spending for state agencies. These actions contributed to unspent balances of $500 million. The state ended the last fiscal year on June 30 with a $234 million shortfall in revenue. For the coming two years, the state projects a $2.7 billion shortfall.

“We feared worse,” Northam told lawmakers in his comments delivered virtually. “But this still requires serious and thoughtful budgeting and planning.”

Northam noted the damage caused by the coronavirus crisis and the related shutdown of businesses and social interaction.

"As a physician, I know the only way to solve our economic crisis is to solve our health crisis first," he said. "Our economy was booming before the pandemic, and it can fully rebuild only when this virus is behind us. This means that as we make budget decisions, this week and into the next session, we must keep in mind that we can’t know what is going to happen with the pandemic, when a vaccine will be available, or how much longer this will go on."

For social distancing reasons, state senators met at the Virginia Science Museum and delegates on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Instead of raises for teachers and state workers, Northam proposed setting aside $88 million to fight evictions and provide for affordable housing.

Along with budget issues, Northam introduced several proposals Tuesday to make voting more accessible in November's general election as the nation continues to deal with the coronavirus. Whether Virginia residents plan to vote in person or by mail, the proposals will ensure voting will be safe and secure, he said.

“As we continue to navigate this pandemic, we must take additional steps to make it easier to vote, not harder,” he said. “With these measures, we will protect public health and ensure Virginians can safely exercise their right to vote in the November election."

Northam’s proposed budget puts forward three voting proposals aimed at addressing challenges brought on by the coronavirus crisis:

• Prepaid postage: $2 million set aside for prepaid return postage on all absentee ballots sent out for the Nov. 3 general election.

• Drop off boxes and drop off locations: Localities will be permitted to use drop boxes or implement drop-off locations for residents who choose to vote absentee, under security standards to be set by the Virginia Department of Elections.

• Absentee cure process: This measure will ensure Virginians’ voting rights are protected by allowing them to fix an error on their absentee ballot. Currently, Virginians who make an error are not able to fix that error and therefore their ballot may be discarded. Many Virginians will be voting absentee for the first time this November, and this language will help ensure their votes are counted.

The governor’s proposed budget also includes funding for measures to reform policing; teach a more accurate version of Virginia history; expand affordable housing; increase access to high-speed broadband; and support Virginia’s public historically Black colleges and universities.