As Robyn de Socio pointed out last week the Governor’s budget amendments will essentially strip out all that was approved during the regular GA session.
Unfunded and Underfunded Positions (COR Agenda Item #1)
Amendment 6: Unallot spending increases in response to potential revenue shortfall
Provide salary adjustment for Commissioners of Revenue: FY21 $950,656 FY22 $1,037,069
Explanation:
(This amendment unallots increases in discretionary spending amounts pending the assessment of the impact of a potential general fund revenue shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Bonus and Salary Increase (COR Agenda Item #2)
Although the Governor left Conference Committee recommendations intact, they will likely not survive the revenue re-forecast (see below) at the end of the fiscal year.
Item 477 #5c the conference committee is recommending a one-time 2% bonus effective December 1, 2020 and a 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2021 for all Constitutional officers and their full-time state sponsored employees. These items are contingent on the Commonwealth attaining current revenues as indicated in “U.1” below
Central Appropriations
U.1. The Governor is hereby authorized to allocate a sum of up to $118,087,286 the first year and up to $146,766,525 the second year from this appropriation, to the extent necessary to offset any downward revisions of the general fund revenue estimate prepared for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, after the enactment by the General Assembly of the 2020 Appropriation Act. If within five days of the preliminary close of the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2020, the Comptroller’s analysis does not determine that a revenue re-forecast is required pursuant to § 2.2-1503.3, Code of Virginia, then such appropriation shall be used only for employee compensation purposes as stated in paragraphs V. ,W., X., Y., Z., AA. and BB. below.
In addition to the above, the Commonwealth may undertake additional adverse budget action in the near future to shore up budget growing imbalances.
Lastly, if you have not already done so I would strongly suggest that each of you immediately reinforce with your local governing bodies and local administration the essential role your offices stand ready to play toward the continuity of your local government. You can do this by proactively providing whatever assistance you can to assist your locality during this crisis.