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“That would be a breach of faith if the General Assembly turned around on this issue,” said Waddell.
Appearing in Richmond for a budget briefing, the House Appropriations Committee and House Finance Committee sought to learn why state economists were so far off the mark in their estimated revenue forecasts.
Although state dollars increased 2.4 percent over last year, they do not meet the 5.2 projected growth.
“It’s growth that almost looks like a recession because it’s growth at an all-time low,” said Timmerick.
While Timmerick discussed the “do’s and don’ts” of cutback, he said that the state should avoid taking from localities and the lottery revenues. However, he added, “It’s pretty difficult to deal with this problem just by looking at state-run agencies.”
“Some of the localities are very concerned they are already hard pressed,” to meet their local needs, said Del. Thomas W. Moss Jr., DNorfolk, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
“My concern is whether it’s the federal, state or local pocket, the person who ends up with the bill is the taxpayer," Byrne said.
Change in “taxpayer behavior” was frequently mentioned as one theory for the awry predictions. Del. Robert E. Harris, R-Fairfax, said the shortfall is “more than an aberration in taxpayer behavior.”
In Northern Virginia, said Harris, “employers are refusing to hire, homes are on the market for six months instead of 60 days and people are holding off on buying automobiles and other major purchases.”
“It’s hard to believe that behavioral changes added up to $151 million,” commented Del. Warren Stambaugh, D-Arlington, a member of the House Finance Committee, referring to the reductions for fiscal year 1990.
Wilder is expected to make his interim budget recommendations on Friday, Aug. 17.
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