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Richmond, VA (1140wrva.com) –  House of Delegate budget writers are reacting to news that the state is going to have to cut $250 million by July, and at least two billion after that, in order to balance the state’s budget.  Tax revenue, in the form of sales and income taxes, has not been as high as was forecasted when the two-year budget was written.

Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) says raising taxes is not the answer, and he believes there are areas that can be cut to get the numbers to equal out.  Cox names Governor Tim Kaine’s Pre-K expansion as one area.  Cox opposed expansion when Kaine lobbied for it, although Kaine did not even get all the money he was looking for the program.

Cox also says some older Correctional facilities could be closed to save money.  The Republican says raising taxes will not work, because it will depress the economy, and take money out of people’s pockets that they could use to make purchases.

The General Assembly returns to Richmond in the middle of January.

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