Local Leaders Join LaRock in Calling for Timely Budget
Hamilton, VA – Earlier this week, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors passed a “Resolution Urging the Governor of Virginia and the Virginia General Assembly Pass a Clean Budget.”
A delayed budget has significant ramifications. Each day without a budget creates more uncertainty for local governments, our schools, colleges and universities which are planning fall tuition rates right now, hospitals, law enforcement and more. This budget impasse could even harm Virginia’s AAA bond rating, much as the fiscal uncertainty in Washington led to a bond rating downgrade for the federal government.
We need to strengthen Virginia’s economy and promote job growth, not risk our ranking as the “Best State for Business.” The Virginia Chamber of Commerce supports Medicaid expansion, but urges the legislature to “set aside any issue that may create an impasse’ on the budget.
Holding the budget hostage for Obamacare Medicaid expansion puts a dark cloud over the counties, towns, and organizations residents rely on for services. Gov. McAuliffe is breaking his promise to not hold up our budget, bullying our legislature and our local governments, and hurting the people he was elected to serve.
As a delegate I am very concerned with this irresponsible action by the Governor, and am doing everything I can to avoid a shutdown. I have reached out to 100 elected officials in Loudoun, Clarke, and Frederick Counties, encouraging them to communicate directly to the Governor. County elected officials representing the entire 33rd House District have written the Governor urging the timely passage of Virginia’s budget so they can deliver necessary services to their communities.
Loudoun County: Board of Supervisors, Sheriff, Commissioner of the Revenue, Clerk of the Circuit Court
Clarke County: Commissioner of the Revenue
Frederick County: Board of Supervisors, Commonwealth’s Attorney
The House and Senate are very close to lining up the normal spending differences in the budget bills we have already passed. The folks back home need this process to be finished soon. Regardless of how you feel on the Medicaid issue, delaying the state budget over a separate and distinct policy matter is practically irresponsible and fundamentally the wrong way to govern.
About Dave LaRock
Delegate Dave LaRock represents the 33rd House District, including parts of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick Counties, and the towns of Leesburg (partial), Purcellville, Berryville, Lovettsville, Round Hill, Hamilton and Hillsboro. LaRock serves on the Transportation Committee, the Science and Technology Committee and the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee. Dave and his wife, Joanne, have lived in Loudoun for 28 years, building a successful family-owned general contracting business. The LaRocks reside near Hamilton with Abby and John, the youngest of their seven children.