1. Budgets are Values
Where you spend your money is one of the clearest expressions of what your values really are. The same is true of governments. This week Bob McDonnell put forward his list of budget recommendations and his proposals are consistent with the ideas he articulated during the campaign. New dollars are being directed toward job creation and business incentives. Higher ed and public safety will be spared some of the cuts that Kaine recommended. And McDonnell is reducing some safety net programs, urging non-profits and charities to take up the slack on matters where government’s role will be reduced. Not everyone may agree with his judgments, but it will be hard to argue that these are inconsistent with his campaign.
2. Democratic Opportunity?
For weeks, the Democrats complained that they did not know where McDonnell stood on the budget because he had not provided specific recommendations about reductions. Now they know. The challenge for the Democats now moves to the Senate where they have the majority. Can the Democrats produce a budget that is sound fiscally and offers a clear contrast with the values and choices that McDonnell has made on key issues? Given the party’s recent travails, it has become increasingly important for it to use the budget debate as a means of reasserting its political identity. I look for Democrats to make softening the K-12 cuts a signature proposal.
3. “Your Gun is Okay, But Please Check Your Cigar at the Door.”
A year after we said that it would be illegal to light up a cigar or a cigarette in most restaurants and bars, a major bill enabling individuals with concealed carry permits to legally bring guns into restaurants and bars will surely become law in 2010. I was told bv a Democratic delegate that there are almost two dozen separate gun-related bills being considerd by the House this year. Talk about a 21 Gun Salute! If the House Republicans have a favorite amendment, it has to be the Second.
4. Cuccinelli’s Favorite is the 10th
Republican Attorney Generals are becoming key players in the GOP effort to combat what is seen as a Leviathan-like expansion of the federal government under Obama and Pelosi-Reid. Ken Cuccinelli has quickly become one of the most widely cited and recognized leaders of 10th Amendment initiatives. He’s been in office less than 45 days, but is already attracting considerable national attention.
5. The “War” on Planned Parenthood
Was officially declared by members of the Virginia Christian Alliance on Friday because of its role in providing abortion services and supporting “unethical and immoral practices.” The specific goal is to remove all state funding that is channeled to Planned Parenthood for medical services and grants. Julian Walker in the Pilot has been covering the matter extensively. One should not underestimate how important this issue is to social conservatives. Expectations are running very high that defunding will occur in a McDonnell administration.
6. Joe Morrissey’s History Lesson
In the debate over the repeal of Doug Wilder’s “one gun a month bill,” Delegate Joe Morrissey provided a useful history lesson. He noted that the bill’s passage in the early 90’s was a result of bipartisan coalition put together by Wilder and Republican U.S. Attorney Richard Cullen. He also observed that the intent of the legislation was to address Virginia’s reputation as the gun running capital of the eastern U.S. and the resulting drug/gun/cash nexus that was driving crime rates higher in I-95 communities such as Richmond and Petersburg. Supporters of repeal should provide an answer to Morrissey’s concern that it won’t lead to the same kind of criminal activity that motivated its passage in the first place.
7. The Locals v. the Capitals
Is becoming an even more visible story this year than normal. The growing tension between local governments and their assembly delegations broke out in a number of jurisdictions this week. It’s likely to become more pronounced as local governments attempt to assign responsibility and blame for the tough budgetary decisions they’ll be making over the next two months.
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