Statement of RPV Chairman Pat Mullins on Conclusion of 2010 Reconvened Session

RPV Chairman Pat Mullins issued the following statement:

"I want to congratulate Governor McDonnell and our entire Republican team on a successful legislative session. The Governor and our team set the bar high, but they delivered for the entire Commonwealth," Mullins said.

"Voters made it clear that they wanted Virginia's budget balanced without tax hikes, and our team delivered. Richmond won't be ramping up the car tax, and the Democrat effort to raise the income tax met a swift end," he said. "Our $4 billion budget hole is closed, and the Commonwealth is once again on a firm financial footing, thanks to the Governor's leadership and a bipartisan legislative effort."

"Virginians also made it known that they wanted Richmond to focus on strengthening our economy. The budget approved by the General Assembly and amendments sent down by Governor McDonnell do just that - they wisely invest precious tax dollars in budget items that will help bring more jobs to the Old Dominion," Mullins said. "Governor McDonnell's economic development team now has a whole new toolkit to help them bring high-paying jobs into the Old Dominion."

"Governor McDonnell also made good on his plans to reform education. Charter schools, laboratory schools, and virtual classrooms will bring educational innovation and improve the quality of education for every student in Virginia," he said. "And that's on top of lots of others commitments the Governor fulfilled - from re-opened rest areas to an outside audit of our transportation programs."

"Promises made, promised kept. Congratulations, Governor McDonnell," Mullins said. "You're off to a great start."

###