Office of the Governor: Statement on adjournment of 2008 General Assembly session

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

April 23, 2008

Contact:                 Gordon Hickey
Phone:                   (804) 225-4260
Cell Phone:           (804) 291-8977                                      
Internet:                www.governor.virginia.gov


RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today issued the following statement upon adjournment of the 2008 General Assembly session:    

“I congratulate the members of the General Assembly on completion of a successful 2008 session. Together, we accomplished a great deal, despite a difficult economy. Virginians can take pride in mental health reforms, improvements in early childhood education, including expansion of the Virginia Preschool Initiative, increased investment in higher education, measures to protect the environment, and economic development initiatives.

              “I am particularly pleased with the Assembly’s approval today of our higher education bond package, which makes a record investment in Virginia’s higher education institutions. The bond package also includes much-needed money to improve open space and expand the state park system. These improvements are essential to our citizens’ well-being and to our environment.   

            “Unfortunately, the General Assembly was not supportive of all of our efforts to clean and protect the environment, including measures to create a voluntary reporting system for greenhouse gas emissions, to set a higher standard for energy-efficient green buildings, and to codify a goal of increasing energy conservation. Taken together, these items would have gone a long way toward protecting and cleaning our environment.

              “One issue remains unresolved.  In the coming weeks, I will be meeting with legislators and stakeholders about much-needed funding for transportation. I will call the legislature back into special session in the coming months to approve a transportation funding package that will move Virginia forward.

              “I look forward to continuing our bipartisan efforts to address our transportation needs.”