Gov. Kaine cuts $1.4m from office budget
From the office of Gov. Kaine: Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced staff reductions and other spending cuts to the Executive office budget, including the Cabinet. The cuts total more than $900,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and increase to $1.4 million on an annual basis – or 10% – in fiscal year […]
From the office of Gov. Kaine: Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced staff reductions and other spending cuts to the Executive office budget, including the Cabinet. The cuts total more than $900,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and increase to $1.4 million on an annual basis – or 10% – in fiscal year 2010. Combined with reductions made in October of 2007 and February of 2008, including a 5% reduction in the Governor’s salary, budget cuts to the Governor’s office budget now amount to more than $1.9 million annually. The resulting reductions in the personal residence budget total 10%.
Last month, the Governor ordered his staff to scrub the budget for his office and the Governor’s Mansion for items to eliminate. The directive was clear: No item was too small to cut.
“If Virginia families and businesses have to make difficult spending decisions in tough times, we need to show them we’re doing the same,” Governor Kaine said. “Taxpayers trust us to run a lean government. All these cuts – big and small – add up, and they all count.”
Governor Kaine reduced his office’s spending by more than $667,000 during budget cuts in October 2007 and February 2008. Those cuts included reducing the Governor’s salary by 5%, delayed salary increases for his staff, and elimination of six positions. After one-time savings are removed, the total annualized reduction was $480,000. After Workforce Transition Act expenses are cleared, the Governor will have reduced spending in his office and the Cabinet by 13.4% since taking office.
The cuts announced today include:
· Elimination of 8 positions through layoffs and turnover
· Trimming almost 25% off the grocery bill for official events at the residence
· Reductions in travel for state business by the Governor and First Lady
· Reductions in staff cell phone costs, newspapers subscriptions and travel
· Ending purchase of bottled water
· Sending more invitations to functions by email instead of by U.S. mail
· Cutting dry cleaning bills for linens used at official events at the residence
The Governor will announce his revenue reforecast and statewide spending reductions for fiscal year 2009 tomorrow.
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