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Based on dialogue on the House floor this afternoon, it’s a 50-50 shot the budget will be agreed upon in time by conferees and printed for a vote tomorrow. It may go to Sunday. Even into next week. Which gives us time to renew our call for no new or additional fees or taxes.

However, according to news reports this morning, there may be some backtracking on cutting the much over bloated education spending. Of course, the VEA is making wild claims about thousands of teachers losing their jobs. It must be noted, however, that spending on K-12 education in Virginia has increased 60 percent over the last 10 years while enrollment in public schools has increased only 7.2 percent. In 2004, the General Assembly infused public education with more than a billion dollars in additional funding — remember that tax increase? — with no reforms, and every two years the antiquated funding formula guarantees one billion dollars in extra taxpayer money into public education.

Interestingly, The Family Foundation participated in a poll last year with last year with renown Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, and found that a majority of Virginians vastly underestimate the amount of money Virginia spends per pupil on public education. While most thought it was less than $6,000, in fact it is in excess of $11,000 per student!

During the last budget process, as everyone recognized that we were in a deep economic recession, the General Assembly passed a budget based on then-Governor Tim Kaine’s projection of significant increases in revenue. Such a notion was rightly dismissed as foolish by some legislators, but a budget laden with spending based on the fictitious numbers passed anyway. Now, we’re paying the price in the form of a $4 billion deficit because even though the revenue was projected, the spending was real — Virginia’s budget is based on estimated revenue, not actual receipts. So when the real money never showed up . . .

Yet, we’re being told by some, we have to pay for their mistakes. The only one who should pay a price in this situation are those who spent the money — not those who supplied it. Tell your delegates and senators not to increase taxes and “fees” in the budget, and to cut its excessive spending to the levels of real revenue.

If you know who they are, you can get their contact info here for delegates and here for senators. If you don’t know who your delegate and senator are, click here.

Today’s QOD comes from this morning’s meeting of the House Finance Committee. Committee members at first honored Delegate David Englin’s (D-45, Alexandria) request to carry over his HB 275 for the year, a polite way of killing it. But the bill would repeal Virginia’s Estate Tax exemption, which would amount to a massive tax increase. Seeing its ultimate demise, he used the out that since it is tied to pending federal legislation, it made sense to see the outcome of the Congressional bill first.

But then committee Republicans had a change of heart and decided to have the bill only carried over to another meeting, all the better to get committee Democrats on record for or against a tax increase, especially one that specifically hurts families, small businesses and farmers. Commenting on the lengths the GOP members were taking to reverse course on a bill everyone knows is going about as far as a pro-life bill in the Senate, Delegate Albert Pollard (D-99, Lancaster) said:

I believe Delegate Englin only wanted a blind fold and a cigarette today. 

Four years ago, only a few weeks after taking office and proposing (against his campaign promise) the largest tax increase in Virginia history, Congressional Democrats chose then-Governor Tim Kaine to deliver their party’s response to then-President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address. Yesterday, it was reported (see Washington Post), that Congressional Republicans have chosen newly sworn-in Governor Bob McDonnell to give the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s January 27 State of the Union.

How about that for asymmetrical karma? But there’s more.

Yesterday, House Republicans brought to the floor Delegate Bob Brink’s (D-48, Arlington) HB 1155, legislation that would enact former Governor Tim Kaine’s proposed income tax increase (see Richmond Times-Dispatch). The bill was referred to the House Rules Committee, which alone has the authority to report bills to the floor without recommendation. Thus it did with HB 1155 in order to put Democrats on the spot — vote against their friend and national party chairman or be on record for higher taxes in a recession. Delegate Brink requested that the bill be pulled, normally a pro forma request that’s granted at the will of the patron. Not yesterday!

Instead, it was put to a vote while Democrats vehemently protested. As if they couldn’t have anticipated it. Remember, last year Republicans did the same thing on a bill that would have repealed Virginia’s Right To Work Law (see post here and video here). They forced a vote by bringing that equally controversial bill through a no recommendation vote on the Rules Committee. The Democrats reacted by abstaining, but through a parliamentary procedure that says if a member is in his seat but not voting, and another member points that out, the vote must be recorded in the negative. Thus, Majority Leader Morgan Griffith (R-8, Salem) forcibly recorded no votes against the bill which put Democrats at odds with their Big Labor allies.

With this as background, certainly they knew something was coming with a monstrous tax increase bill, and they knew they couldn’t abstain. On the first day of session, when the rules package is adopted, Minority Leader Ward Armstrong (D-10, Martinsville) said as much when he objected to the Rules Committee exception. As it turned out, it was a unanimous blowout, with the House voting 97-0 (with Delegate Brink abstaining) to reject one last Tim Kaine tax increase, sending it down with all his others, this one posthumously, in the political sense.

So, the question is, why file the tax increase bill to begin with? Only Delegate Brink knows for sure, but we suspect some members of the General Assembly like to give a peek of their colors to satisfy certain constituencies, but seek to conceal them altogether from the greater electorate. Increasingly, however, these lawmakers get found out.

Annotations & Elucidations

The Slow Time

It’s a slow political news cycle this time of year, especially right after a gangbusters election, as things settle down. Soon, however, it will be special election time in Fairfax and Virginia Beach for two Virginia Senate seats (vacated by the elections of Ken Cuccinelli to attorney general and Ken Stolle to Virginia Beach Sheriff). It’s becoming more likely that the new senator from Virginia Beach will be the Republican nominee since the Democrats can’t seem to find a candidate. Bob McDonnell will show his bipartisan stripes and meet with House Democrats, while Ron Villanueva gains another vote in his bid to keep said Dems one seat fewer.

Nationally, the AP reports 10 states face looming budget disasters, while U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is seeking a huge tax increase to pay for the health care bill. Who thinks things will get better soon? Meanwhile, Walter E. Williams is on target as ever in his column about contempt for the constitution, Christopher Adamo offers the GOP lessons from the New York special Congressional election, and Bobby Eberle tells RNC Chairman Michael Steele to knock off the irresponsible racial talk.  

News:

McDonnell to meet with House Democratic Caucus (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Beach electoral board finds extra vote for Villanueva (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Two Republicans run for Stolle’s seat; another Democrat out (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

‘Jane Roe’ honored at LU pro-life conference (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National News:

A Year Out, Widespread Anti-Incumbent Sentiment (Pew Research Center for the People & the Press)

Reid eyes payroll tax hike to pay for health care (AP/GOPUSA.com) 

Report: 10 states face looming budget disasters (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

History Is Calling — Will Obama Answer? (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Constitutional Contempt (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

We Win, They Lose (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Blind Diversity Equals Death (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Lessons Learned From New York District 23 (Christopher Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Bridging the Racial Divide Takes a Bridge, not a Chainsaw (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

No More Career Politicians! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

As Virginia’s statewide campaign winds down, it’s a time for reflection . . . what’s been your favorite gaffe moment? There are many, to be sure. But we took the painstaking task of narrowing it down to seven. Creigh Deeds and Jody Wagner star in three each. All but one are below in video or audio form, and there’s a link to our original report for the other. If you need a refresher, feel free to review them again — or watch/listen/read them again for old times sake and a good laugh. Or, if they are burned indelibly into your mind, vote straightaway. If you have another nominee, feel free to cast a write-in vote in our comments section. However, as tempting as it is, votes for the Deeds, Wagner or Shannon campaigns as a whole are not allowed. It’s just not fair. Feel free to forward or share this link (especially to undecided voters).

The Deeds Dodge on taxes.

Marriage should be between a man and a woman except you shouldn’t discriminate against same-sex couples.

I feel strongly both ways on the public option.

Steve Shannon’s “Jeopardy!” moment. Where’s Alex to make him answer?

Jody Wagner will have a lot of time to spend looking for the Lt. Governor’s Mansion.

AUDIO CLIP (8:34): Jody Wagner’s Rambling “Let’s Be Clear” Interview With WRVA’s Jimmy Barrett (click here).

BLOG POST: Jody Wagner Sticking With A VEA Accusation Against Bill Bolling That Even The VEA Retracted And Apologized For (read here).

It seems as if the fun at a Virginia gubernatorial debate isn’t at or during the performance, but after it. We all remember Democrat Creigh Deeds’ post debate performance in Fairfax, where it took him more than three minutes to zig-zag through enough contortions on the tax increase issue to make Plastic Man look rigid (see here). Prior to that, though not at a debate, Senator Deeds was incomprehensible in explaining what marriage meant (see here).

But if you thought those were bad, wait to you hear Senator Deeds’ response to a question on  government run health care, otherwise known as “the public option,” after last night’s debate at Roanoke College. It only took him 50 seconds to explain his position(s).

I’m not for a public option, but I’m for all options, I’m not for it, but I won’t rule it out. Am I clear?

This from the Washington Post’s Virginia Politics Blog, posted last night by Fredrick Kunkle:

At the Democratic Club meeting in Fairfax County’s Greenspring Village retirement community, there was no hemming and hawing Tuesday about whether Virginia should boost the gas tax to fix Northern Virginia’s roads.

From the mouths of lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner, fellow Democrat Del. Vivian E. Watts, and several folks in the audience, the message was: Bring it on. …

But the thrust of her remarks suggested that she believes not only that higher gas taxes must be part of a long-term solution, but that other new revenues might also be necessary.

Really, there’s nothing to add to such a frank, Mondale-like admission. Oh, wait. There is. Ms. Wagner has forfeited all credibility in calling “negative” the television ads Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is running, which highlight her tax increase pedigree. By her own admission, the ads are, in fact . . . very true!

Jody Wagner calls for higher taxes in front of fellow Democrats, then calls this negative. Go figure.

Annotations & Elucidations 

Virginia Borrows Now; IOUs Next?

Who said Virginia isn’t for borrowers? We’ve always prided ourselves on being different than the federales. In Virginia, we balance our budgets. In Virginia, we don’t use gimmicks. Of course, states can’t print money, but they sure can borrow it. In Virginia’s case, it’s more than $1.2  billion worth, or the size of a potential Creigh Deeds tax increase. Whatever happened to the “Best Managed State”? This is what Senator Deeds wants to “continue”? First, it was California-style state employee furloughs. Now it’s federal government-style borrowing. What’s next? Left coast-style IOUs?  

If that wasn’t enough, the Dems in Washington now are considering shielding banks from state laws. So much for federalism and that constitution thing. Finally, be sure to check out Michelle Malkin’s exclusive on the President Obama’s friends and their Olympic connections. Nothing like having a friend in high places lobby your case for the Olympics.

News:

Va. To borrow up to $1.27 billion for unemployment payments (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Bolling Vows Fiscal Reform (Harrisonburg Daily News-record)

Polls find competing results for campaigns (Northern Virginia Daily)

A Tug of War For Women’s Votes in Race For Governor (Washington Post)

Holton backs Deeds; Republicans talk mental health (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds happy with Holton endorsement (Roanoke Times)

Paths diverge over budget, roads in 17th District debate (Roanoke Times)

November election voter registration deadline nears (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

5th hopeful from GOP runs for 5th (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

National News:

More thorny challenges ahead for health overhaul (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Dems debate sheilding banks from state laws (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Virginia’s Regional Divide on the Issues (Jennifer Agiesta/Washington Post Voices Blog)

In Virginia Culture Wars Look Very Much Alive (Stuart Rothenberg/Rothenberg Political Report Blog)

Commentary:

All The President’s Olympic Cronies (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Health Care and the Constitution . . . Remember that Document? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Coming: The Economic “W” (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

Is Disagreement With Obam Racism? (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Pittsburgh Protest Promoters (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations 

AP Truth Squad, Distilling Pelosi

After yesterday’s super-sized edition, much of today’s news is of the national variety, including some spot-on commentary. Among the most eye-catching articles are one in which the Census Bureau reports on the change in lifestyle brought on by the recession, including the delay of marriage; a Muslim girl who ran away from her parents because she converted to Christianity will have her day in court; and Florida school officials are cleared in a case brought by the ACLU over a meal blessing.

Elsewhere, the AP comes out with its second fact check in two weeks disputing claims coming directly from President Obama’s golden tongue (see first one here). Yes, Mr. President, your “reform” is a giant tax increase, even if you can get David Letterman to believe otherwise. The AP better watch itself if it keeps reporting the truth. Thomas Sowell writes about facing advantages and disadvantages in life by recounting his own upbringing. Truly inspirational and a must read.

Bryan Fischer examines the dirty connection between the National Education Association and ACORN. If you are a NEA/VEA member and still need a reason to leave this union, please take a look (or forward to someone who does)! Bobby Eberle, Jeremy Wiggins and Dick Morris take more looks at Obamacare, but from different angles (economic, medical and political); while David Limbaugh looks at the administration’s ambition to ram through legislation so vastly opposite the desires of the country. Finally, Eberle and Wiggins distill Nancy Pelosi’s crocodile tears.

News:

Bolling touts jobs during visit here (The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

New ads by Deeds use foe’s ‘89 thesis (Roanoke Times)

New Deeds ad wagers big on McDonnell’s 1989 thesis (The Daily Press)

Dems critique Hamilton’s spot on money committee (The Daily Press)

National News:

Census: Recession had sweeping impact on US life (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Political asylum suggested as remedy for Rifqa (OneNewsNow.com)

Obama, Clinton fundraiser indicted (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senators to start work on revised health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senators urge Treasury to end bailout program (AP/GOPUSA.com)

School Officials Cleared in Mealtime Prayer Case (Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Analysis:

FACT CHECK: Coverage requirement enforced with tax (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

The Underdogs (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com) 

Obama At Odds With Majority But Undeterred (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

NEA: Big time supporter of ACORN (Bryan Fischer/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Yes, Mr. President . . . It’s a TAX! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

The Cost of Government Health Care — For Doctors (Jeremy Wiggins/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Obamacare: Losing Everyone  (Dick Morris/GOPUSA.com)

Pelosi ‘Frightened’ by Free Speech (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Pelosi’s Crocodile Tears (Jeremy Wiggins/Rightly Concerned Blog)

I post this without comment because I’m still baffled. First one who makes sense of this ramble wins a prize. But I doubt anyone will — when a liberal confuses even his media allies, it must be incomprehensible. Terribly incomprehensible — and all in three minutes!

Even reporters were confused in this post debate interview in Fairfax today with Democrat gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds: I will raise NEW money but won’t raise taxes but ALL options are on the table, but I WON’T take money from the general fund , but I WILL sign a tax increase . . . .

After watching this a second, third and fourth time, I have to wonder if even John (”I voted for it before I voted against it”) Kerry would understand this. It certainly is the most confusing political answer I’ve ever heard before or since the infamous Kerry remark.