Given the weather around the Commonwealth (although not here in Hampton Roads), perhaps you’d like to spend some time perusing the budget Governor Tim Kaine put forth yesterday. The details can be found here.
Or you can use this break from politics to do something else – like take a nap 
As somebody new to Virginia (and to the US…yesterday’s mail brought the “Welcome to the United States” letter that my green card has been approved), I don’t know something and I wonder if you do.
Because to me, it doesn’t make any sense for the governor to present a budget after his successor has been elected, but given the lack of comment, I’m assuming it’s standard procedure.
I also don’t understand why the General Assembly starts its session a couple of days before the new governor’s inauguration.
I wonder if you (or any of your readers) might know what reasons of logic, history or tradition might be involved in either of those.
Posted by maplestar | Sunday, December 20, 2009, 6:19 amGood questions! I’m sure others will weigh in but I understand it’s just “the way things have always been done.” I know that bills have been put forth to move the budget cycle but have gone no where.
Virginia puts tremendous power in the hands of the legislature. (They argue that the governor is too powerful – which is why we have a one-term governor.)
Posted by vjp | Sunday, December 20, 2009, 12:02 pmThe budget cycle, as Viv said, is what it is.
There have been proposals to go to a yearly budget. Given the numbef of changes that have to be made to a biennial budget to keep it in balance, that’s probably a good idea.
The two day that the legislature is in session before the inauguration are given over to organizational and ceremonial functions. Each house elect its officers for the year. The House and the Senate agree on the rules for the sesion, including bill deadlines and the cross over date. The Speaker of the House doles out committee assignments. And the two houses pass a resolution inviting His Excellency, the Governor, to address a joint session.
Posted by Steve Vaughan | Monday, December 21, 2009, 11:55 amI’m glad to see that Gov. Kaine has his priorities in order. It’s much more important too try to embarrass your successor than it is to introduce a serious budget proposal – especially with the current state of the economy.
Posted by Brian | Monday, December 21, 2009, 6:02 pmBrian,
Are you saying you are against ending the car tax. Are you saying you are aginst cuts and more cuts and more cuts. I could have sworn the repugs would be shouting in the streets because Kaine is cutting services and as the repugs like to say unecessary services to Virginians. Now it is McDonnell’s turn to bring me revenue from oil drilling as he promised while he is still in office and a continuous revenue source from a one time sell of our liquor stores. Talk about serious budget proposals. Better than Jay Leno
Posted by genemagruder | Monday, December 21, 2009, 9:14 pm