Connors to McDonnell: What's "Hap"pening Bob?
Stafford Co. Supervisor Bob Woodson and Spotsylvania Co. Chairman Hap Connors are among 55 local elected officials in Virginia who want to know how Bob McDonnell would balance the budget as Governor without funds from the economic stimulus package. Will he align himself with grandstanding GOP Governors like Mark Sanford, Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, and Bobby Jindal? Or will he join fellow Republicans Charlie Crist, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jodi Rell, and Jim Douglas in helping their states recover from the current recession?
Mayors: Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris, Hampton Mayor Molly Ward, Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Richmond City Mayor Dwight Jones, Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, Charlottesville Vice-Mayor Julian Taliaferro, and Martinsville Vice-Mayor Kimble Reynolds.
Supervisors: Albemarle County Chairman David Slutzky, Albemarle County Supervisor Ann Mallek, Arlington County Vice-Chair Walter Tejada, Arlington County Supervisor Jay Fisette, Fairfax County Chair Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross, Fairfax County Supervisor Linda Smyth, Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust, Fluvanna County Chairman Marvin Moss, Henry County Supervisor Paula Burnette, Lee County Supervisor Claude Ray, Loudoun County Vice-Chair Susan Buckley, Loudoun County Supervisor Kelly Burk, Montgomery County Supervisor Bill Brown, Montgomery County Supervisor John Muffo, Prince William County Supervisor John Jenkins, Pulaski Chairman Joseph Sheffey, Spotsylvania County Chair Henry “Hap” Connors, and Stafford County Supervisor Bob Woodson.
Sheriffs: Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur, Bristol Sheriff Jack Weisenburger, Falls Church Sheriff Steve Bittle, Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt, Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe, Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt, and Washington Sheriff Fred Newman.
Treasurers: Arlington Treasurer Frank O’Leary, Falls Church Treasurer Catherine Kaye
Commissioners of Revenue: Bristol Commissioner of Revenue Terry Frye, Buchchanan Commissioner of Revenue Jay Rife Jr., Falls Church Commissioner of Revenue Tom Clinton, and Portsmouth Commissioner of Revenue Franklin Edmondson.
City Council: Alexandria Councilman Justin Wilson, Alexandria Councilman Tim Lovain, Charlottesville Councilman Dave Brown, Charlottesville Councilwoman Holly Edwards, Charlottesville Councilman Satyendra Huja, Fairfax City Councilman Dan Drummond, Galax Councilman John Garner, Roanoke City Councilman Court Rosen, Roanoke City Councilwoman Gwen Mason
Clerks of Court: Portsmouth Clerk of Court Cynthia Morrison, Roanoke County Clerk of Court Steve McGraw
School Board: Mathews School Board Member Jennifer Little
The text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Attorney General McDonnell -
To begin, we would like to thank you for your service to the Commonwealth of Virginia over the course of the last 17 years, serving as both Delegate and Attorney General. As leaders of local government in Virginia, we have appreciated working in coordination with you as Attorney General over the past three years helping to fight crime in our localities. We appreciate your service to the people of Virginia.
We write today to express our concern. Our nation is suffering through an economic crisis and Americans across the country are worried about their jobs and are struggling to get by. Virginia’s cities and counties are bearing the brunt of our economic downturn, as we struggle to balance budgets and keep jobs in Virginia. Every day in our neighborhoods, we talk to families in need of assistance and leadership from their elected officials to help them make ends meet.
As local elected officials, we were pleased to see President Obama take quick action to put our economy back on track through the American Recovery and Assistance Act passed last week. Right here in Virginia, the stimulus plan should save or create 93,000 jobs over the next two years, provide payroll tax cuts for 3 million Virginia workers, and enact the largest investment increase in our roads, bridges and mass transit since the 1950s.
Specifically, we welcome President Obama’s investment in keeping Virginia’s state and local budgets on track by investing in local needs. As you know, the stimulus will provide more than $1 billion dollars to offset even deeper cuts in our state’s budget. Also, according to the Associated Press, nearly $3 billion outside of the state budget will flow directly to residents and local governments.
We are concerned, however, with your stance on this historic investment in Virginia’s economic health. According to recent reports, you said that President Obama’s stimulus would “not be good long-term for America.” You also endorsed Rep. Eric Cantor and House Republicans’ efforts to stand in the way of the much-needed stimulus bill. All of this despite the fact that Governors - both Democrats and Republicans - are supporting President Obama’s plan to provide immediate, vital aid and assistance to state and local governments.
As leaders of our local governments, we would like to know: As governor, how would you balance Virginia’s budget without these stimulus funds? Additionally, if Governor, would you refuse to accept the stimulus money such as the Governors of Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas and Alaska have suggested?
Our cities and counties depend on this immediate economic investment. Absent the stimulus, we would like to hear your plans to support investment in our local economies.
Thank you for your consideration.
Newt Gingrich
