Gov. Bob McDonnell, trying to change the subject from the enduring debate over contentious social issues, had harsh words this morning about a potential showdown in the state Senate today over the budget.
He noted indications that Senate Democrats might not support the spending plan produced by their chamber. Democrats are seeking a power-sharing agreement with Republicans, which Senate Republicans rebuffed Monday, setting up a standoff that could result in a tie vote.
McDonnell said on WRVA that he's been meeting with Senate Democratic leaders since the beginning of the session asking what needs to be done to pass a budget and that it's been "largely radio silence."
"The only conclusion I can come to is that this is a partisan play to be able to use the 20 votes they've got to be able to slow down the budget process so that they can try to get better committee assignments. And that's outrageous.
Democrats are "putting their partisanship and their power over the needs of their constituents," he said.
The chamber is split with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans and while Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has cast tiebreaking votes on some legislation, he issued a memo in which he interprets the Virginia Constitution as not allowing him to do so on the budget.
If the Senate fiscal plan is effectively killed today, the budget from the House of Delegates would come before the chamber. The House plan is up for a vote in that chamber today as well and is expected to pass.
McDonnell said he thinks "there are enough statesmen in the Senate in both parties that they will come to their senses and they will work this out."
"I've never seen anything like it, where people would actually be willing to slow down appropriations for the core services of government – the most important bill of the session – in order to try to get better committee assignments," he said. "It's astounding."
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