We were partially successful, in obtaining our budget request goals. The House supported the Governors recommendation for a salary increase and moved the date up to July 2019. The Senate removed the Governors proposed language, but provided for an increase in July 2019 only if revenues do not fall short of budget forecasts. Most impactful, we did not receive funding support for our #1 & #2 items. Our options at this point are limited. We can press the likely budget conferees to include these items in the budget compromise. However, this may be a tall order as both the House and Senate budgets with respect to us are similar.
In other legislative news…
Budget amendment 273 1h, approved by the House, we are exempted from paying the requisite $275 when request an advisory opinion from the Department of Taxation.
https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendment/2018/1/HB30/Introduced/CA/273/1h/
SB531 Reestablish the accelerated refund program for taxpayers filing income tax returns in person or via the United States mail with a commissioner of the revenue for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2018.
Passed in the Senate 39 to 0
Passed in House Finance Subcommittee #2 5 to 0.