FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, VA – In response to Governor Northam’s announcement of a projected $2.7 billion revenue shortfall for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 biennium at a joint meeting of the House Appropriations, House Finance, and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees this morning, House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian issued the following statement:
We were proud of the budget we passed in March which included historic investments in workforce equity, affordable health care, and access to higher education. Unfortunately, this reforecast shows us a significant revenue shortfall. We will take a holistic approach to reworking the budget with the aim of protecting some of that original progress, as well as meeting the demands of the current moment.
My top priorities are fair funding for criminal justice reform measures, health care, and K-12 and higher education. Virginia’s students deserve equitable access to broadband internet and digital technology as schools across the Commonwealth move toward online education. Our budget will also account for the housing crisis and making sure every Virginian can vote safely and securely in November.
All these decisions are still short-term, triggered by the COVID-19 recession. We’ll return in January with a formal forecast and a fuller understanding of what Virginia needs.
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Delegate Luke Torian represents House District 52 in the Virginia House of Delegates, serving Dale City, Woodbridge, and the towns of Dumfries and Occoquan. He has held office since 2009 and serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is also a member of the House Rules and General Laws committees.