What is a conservative to do?

The General Assembly has ended its session and passed a budget.

First, the good news.

There was no tax increase.

The Senate tried to increase the tax on gasoline. Defeated.

The Senate tried to increase the sales tax. Defeated.

The Senate tried to increase the grantors’ tax. Defeated.

House Republicans stayed true to principle and made it clear that any tax hike passed by liberal Senators (and they made several efforts) would be defeated in the House. That is the kind of backbone and leadership we have been looking for since the 2004 tax hike. House Republicans - in particular Delegate Kirk Cox - deserve the thanks of conservatives for standing against increased taxes.

We need to encourage these Republicans to stand strong in the upcoming special session when transportation will again be used as an excuse to raise taxes.

But they have shown they can stand against tax hikes. We congratulate them and encourage them to stand strong.

Now, the bad news.

The legislature cannot restrain itself from spending money.

The Senate - still dominated by Democrats and spend happy Republicans - cannot be expected to exercise any discipline until the membership changes.

We expected more from House Republicans.

We would be happy to meet them halfway if they showed any discipline at all. But by their own words, they show they cannot stop spending your money. Here are their own statements:

“With an overall spending increase lower than the rate of population growth and inflation, Virginia ’s 2008-2010 Budget is fiscally responsible.
The plan slows the growth of overall spending . . .
The plan incurs less debt than either the Governor’s introduced budget or the budget approved by the Senate . . . “

Look at those words.

The increase in spending is lower - not spending itself.

The Budget slows the growth of spending - not stops the growth of spending.

The plan incurs less debt - not incurs no debt.

The House Republicans then roll out a list of spending projects that look like the Great Society on the James River .

$5.25 million for free clinics and community health centers; $74 million in additional institutional funding; $17.5 million each year in an incentive fund tied to 3 percent tuition growth cap (not even tied to a tuition freeze!!!); full funding of SOQ re-benchmarking; adds $13 million to target children who qualify for free-lunch program; $22 million in new money for Governor Kaine’s Pre-K program; and 2% pay increase for state employees, faculty and state-supported local employees in first year.

And all this spending in a time when our economy is perilously perched on recession, when gasoline prices are in excess of $3 per gallon, and the middle-class struggles to stay in their homes and pay their bills.

House Republicans have part of the equation correct: lower taxes. They have yet to master the other half: cut spending.

VCAP can take some credit for the anti-tax stance of the House. Since the tax hike of 2004, VCAP has recruited candidates, raised money, and changed the face of the House and Senate. Members know that increases in taxes will be met with fierce and organized challenges from VCAP and its members.

Now more than ever, VCAP needs you to help complete our mission. We must influence legislators to cut spending or we must replace them with conservatives who will.