Statement of the Virginia Governmental Employees Association

 On Governor Kaine's Proposed Budget

The Governor's proposal's today are a "gut shot" to state employees where death is long, lingering and excruciatingly painful. State employees are demoralized, worried for their families, and afraid for their future.   Proposals that will cut the jobs and take home pay of hard working state employee families make it clear this budget is being balanced on the backs of its workers. His proposals to change the retirement contributions for current state employees are a breach of faith with state employees and will result in a rush to the door for many long time state employees.  The resulting loss of experience and talent will be felt for many years to come.  We saw this penny-wise but pound-foolish approach during the George Allen era and we are seeing it again from Tim Kaine.  With thousand of jobs eliminated amidst growing workloads, calls by politicians to cut fat and waste are just political pandering. We are severing the limbs of the nation's best managed state government.  State employees and their families are taxpayers and one of the largest blocks of voters in Virginia.  They and their fellow citizens know good government requires good employees and good employees require money.  The State's 114,000 state employees and their families will be taking their case to the General Assembly.  We will make our voices heard and vigorously oppose these actions.