State of Virginia Archives: on Budget & Economy
George Allen:
Stimulus spending failed to create promised jobs
Radtke lambasted Allen during the debate for his Senate spending record. "When I left the Senate, the annual deficit was about $160 billion, on the course to getting to a balanced budget," he said afterward. "Talk about how much of spending
is being borrowed, and the estimates are about 33 cents of every dollar is being borrowed. In 2006, it was 5.9 cents--an exponential increase in spending. This stimulus spending was promised to create all these jobs and has not."
Source: Washington Times on 2012 Virginia GOP primary Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
George Allen:
FactCheck: Vvoted against the Alaskan Bridge to Nowhere
Allen said: "When I was in the Senate, I was one of about a dozen who voted against that Bridge to Nowhere." Allen has said before that he took a stand against the now infamous earmark for a $225 million bridge connecting the city of Ketchikan,
Alaska to the Island of Gravina, which has 50 residents.
In July 2005, Allen voted for a $286.5 billion transportation bill that included money for the Bridge to Nowhere. But funding for the Alaska bridge came to less than one tenth of
1% of the overall cost of that overall highway bill, which passed by a 91-4 vote.
The bridge came up again later that year. Allen supported an amendment to another transportation appropriations bill that would redirect part of the funding for the
Alaskan span to rebuild a hurricane-damaged bridge near New Orleans. The amendment failed by an 82-15 vote. We rated Allen's claim that he was among a small minority who voted against the Alaskan bridge True.
Source: PolitiFact.com 2012 Senate FactCheck: Virginia debate
Apr 30, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
If we do not deal with spending, nothing else matters
Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke lambasted Mr. Allen during the debate for his spending record in the U.S. Senate--as she has done since entering the race. "If we do not deal with spending, nothing else matters," she said,
alluding to Mr. Allen when she blasted "fiscal irresponsibility of career politicians in both parties who say they're for a balanced-budget amendment but then turn and vote for trillions of dollars in spending."
Source: Washington Times on 2012 Virginia GOP primary Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Focus on cutting spending; Allen voted to spend trillions
Radtke railed against Allen's time in Washington from 2001 to 2007 and blaming him for deficit spending. "We cannot return a politician like George Allen who voted for trillions of dollars in spending and spent our children's money,"
Radtke said. "We need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending in these serious times." Allen didn't respond to any of his opponents attacks personally.
Instead, he defended his term by pointing out proposals to curb spending by supporting a line-item veto, and introducing a balanced budget amendment.
He said the economy was out of control "because of the overspending, over-regulating big government policies of President Obama, Tim Kaine and the Washington liberals."
Source: Hampton Roads Daily Press on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 11, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Congress should have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
According to Radtke, auring his Senate term, Allen "voted for every single spending bill, added $3 trillion to the national debt, and he voted for his own salary increase when we were deficit spending. He took money from Fannie and Freddie
Mac and refused to support reform, and we're still reeling from that, even today. And he voted for the largest expansion of entitlements since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society." Allen stuck to what he called his "positive agenda,"
focusing on small business and job creation. He said he'd support "policies that actually make it easier to invest and create jobs, including simple, fair and competitive tax laws, reasonable regulations, affordable, plentiful
American energy, and empowering education opportunities that will send a message to the world that America is open for business again."
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 12, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
We need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending
Radtke railed against Allen's time in Washington from 2001 to 2007 and blaming him for deficit spending. "We cannot return a politician like George Allen who voted for trillions of dollars in spending and spent our children's money,"
Radtke said. "We need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending in these serious times." Allen didn't respond to any of his opponents attacks personally.
Instead, he defended his term by pointing out proposals to curb spending by supporting a line-item veto, and introducing a balanced budget amendment.
He said the economy was out of control "because of the overspending, over-regulating . big government policies of President Obama, Tim Kaine and the Washington liberals."
Source: Hampton Roads Daily Press on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 11, 2012
Ken Cuccinelli:
Free enterprise is key to national prosperity
Question topic: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and is the key to national prosperity.
Cuccinelli: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Virginia Governor campaign
Jul 2, 2014
Mark Warner:
Sequester was stupidest way to cut; shutdown cost even more
Q: Where do you think the economy is headed, in the wake of the federal shutdown?WARNER: Well, I think we need to step back a moment and say we just went through an awful period for our country. [The federal shutdown] actually increased the deficit.
You can't start and stop the largest enterprise in the world, the federal government, without adding costs. We've actually built in higher interest rates because any time we get close to a potential default, we're going to have higher T-bill pricing.
That passes through to mortgage costs, car loans, student loans. We ought to at least first make sure that we actually operate the government for a year going forward with a solid budget and find ways to alleviate some of the damage also being done by
sequestration, which is this automatic spending cuts which was the stupidest way possible to go about cutting government. There were really no winners. I mean, our country took an economic hit, and a confidence hit.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2013 series: 2014 Virginia Senate race
Oct 20, 2013
Robert Sarvis:
Free enterprise is key to national prosperity
Question topic: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and is the key to national prosperity.
Sarvis: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Virginia Governor campaign
Jul 2, 2014
Tim Kaine:
I cut state spending $5B while investing in infrastructure
During a discussion on the tax code, Allen proposed a "freedom to choose" flat tax, in which people could choose either a flat tax--though Allen stopped short of naming an exact rate, or which deductions might still exist--or the present tax code,
if they thought they could get a better deal by itemizing various deductions. Allen predicted that over time, most people would migrate to the flat tax. For his part, Kaine pointed out that Allen was unable to come up with a number.
Source: Eric Kleefeld reporting on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Dec 7, 2011
Tim Kaine:
Tea Party's reckless economic policies create uncertainty
Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke hit the former one-term senator for voting to add an expensive prescription drug program to Medicare and backing No Child Left Behind, two initiatives sought by Republican
President George W. Bush. "Tim Kaine will not run to the right of me on spending," Radtke said, subtly criticizing the budgets Allen voted for during his previous Senate term.
Kaine's campaign responded to the repeated criticism following the debate. "Virginia voters heard the Tea Party contenders push reckless economic policies that would damage
Virginia's economy, create more uncertainty for our businesses, and make our nation less globally competitive," a Kaine spokeswoman said.
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
Donald McEachin:
Seek job-creating investments in infrastructure & families
Donald is the co-founder and co-owner of a small business. He has hired workers, stuck to a budget, and always found a way to make payroll. In Congress, he'll draw on that experience as he works to create jobs, strengthen our economy, and grow the
middle class. Donald will:- seek job-creating investments in infrastructure, working to restore our crumbling roads and bridges, create new transportation options, and expand access to broadband Internet
- promote workforce development and research initiatives that diversify our economy and help Virginians to compete and succeed in growing industries
- champion policies that help working families get ahead, including a higher minimum wage
and paid sick leave legislation
- work to cut unnecessary red tape--while strengthening safeguards that improve public health, ensure workers' safety, or protect the environment
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website DonaldMcEachin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Scott Taylor:
Increase opportunities for all Americans via job retraining
There are millions of under-employed Americans and many have given up on looking for new jobs. There are too many laws and regulations that stifle American ingenuity and entrepreneurship. Scott Taylor will work to repeal antiquated laws that protect
turf and hold back the creative destruction that leads to new industries. Congress has failed to enact laws and policies that would help middle-income families. With an extremely complicated tax code, runaway health care costs and regulations that
drive up the cost of almost everything we buy, middle-income Americans are rightly concerned about their ability to provide their children a brighter future than they had.
Scott Taylor will make it his priority to increase opportunities for all
Americans, to enact laws that will grow the economy and support job training and retraining programs to ensure that Americans have the lifelong learning abilities to compete in the global economy.
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website ScottTaylor.US
Nov 8, 2016
Ralph Northam:
Cut spending by $4.6 billion to keep our budget balanced
Balance the budget: Ralph knows that businesses are attracted to well-governed states. He was in the Virginia Senate when the Great Recession hit, and he voted to cut spending by $4.6 billion to keep our budget balanced. He also supported tax relief for
Virginia homeowners. Governors of both parties have conducted government efficiency reviews, and Ralph supports another complete audit of state operations because taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent wisely.
Source: 2017 Virginia governor campaign website RalphNortham.com
May 2, 2017
Corey Stewart:
Opposes federal spending as economic stimulus
Q: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?Tim Kaine (D):
Yes. Particularly transportation infrastructure.
Corey Stewart (R): No. Generally opposes.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Nick Freitas:
Budgets must come from a place of transparency and frugality
Transparency, Frugality and Constitutionality must be the hallmarks of government budgeting and fiscal management.
Taxes should be collected fairly and equitably and should only be expended on legitimate functions of government.
Source: 2018 Virginia Senate campaign website Nick4Senate.com
Mar 3, 2018
Ralph Northam:
Built up financial reserves six times to $1.9 billion
As a doctor, I swore an oath--first, to do no harm. I've learned that's a pretty good lesson for a public official too. We start by protecting people's money. This means building up financial reserves and preserving our AAA bond rating.
This is really important because it makes everything we do easier, and less expensive. So I've sent you a budget that boosts our financial reserves to $1.9 billion dollars. This is six times what we had in the bank when I came into office.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Expand tax credit to spur investment in new products
One tool that can get Virginians on the path to stable, high-paying employment is union apprenticeship programs. My administration will set aside funds to create a public awareness campaign to make the
availability of union apprenticeships more visible to Virginians who may want to apply by working with high-school career counselors.
I will expand the Major Research and Development Tax Credit to spur more investments in the development of new products and improvements in cutting edge technologies, while also working to expand research and development programs
by strengthening partnerships between U.Va., Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and Norfolk State University, and more. When the government invests in new ideas, it can result in profitable enterprises.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign site JenniferCarrollFoy.com
Feb 21, 2021
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Proposed state funding for job training
I introduced amendments to the state budget to expand two key workforce development programs--the Virginia Jobs Investment Program and the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program. These programs would have given Virginians the skills they need to be
competitive in today's economy. I was proud to include funding for job training to help those affected by job losses due to COVID-19 in the state budget.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign site JenniferCarrollFoy.com
Feb 21, 2021
Terry McAuliffe:
Targeted investments partnering with schools, businesses
He will make critical investments in building and training the workforce of the future and ensuring that people of all ages have the skills they need to be successful in the jobs of tomorrow. Terry will achieve this through targeted
investments in workforce training and development, partnering with businesses and our educational institutions to re-skill and retrain Virginians, and reimagining our K12 education system so that every child is workforce ready upon graduation.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
Terry McAuliffe:
Provide small businesses access to capital
Create a revolving fund to provide low-interest loans to small businesses. Small businesses are essential to the vitality of the economy and thousands in Virginia have closed with no plans to reopen due to the pandemic. We must provide small businesses
access to capital so they can more easily adapt, keep their employees and customers safe, and keep their doors open. This program will specifically target historically disadvantaged populations and communities that have lacked access to capital.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
Pete Snyder:
Formed private fund for forgivable loans during pandemic
Snyder, a businessman and political consultant, formed the Virginia 30 Day Fund with his wife to provide forgivable loans to businesses struggling amid the pandemic and its resulting economic fallout.
Snyder's campaign website cites the nonprofit to bolster his credentials as a "true champion of small business."
Source: Axios.com on 2021 Virginia Governor race
May 18, 2021
Mark Herring:
Supports law barring creditors from seizing stimulus checks
A new state law bars debt collectors and creditors from getting their hands on Virginian's emergency payments; a protection Herring told 8News is aimed to alleviate strains of those facing financial hardship during the pandemic. "Back when
Congress made the first round of $1,200 payments under the CARES Act, we found out that nothing explicitly protected those payments from being seized by debt collectors. And, in a crisis like this, people should come first," Herring told 8News.
Source: Charlottesville Tomorrow on 2021 Virginia Governor race
Dec 30, 2020
Corey Stewart:
Market-led recovery better than stimulus
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?
A: Oppose.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate
May 18, 2018
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Increase unemployment benefits to mirror nearby states
Carroll Foy said she would seek to increase the state's unemployment benefits to mirror those of surrounding states. "It is unrealistic to believe that your average family can cover their expenses--food on the table, roof over the head, utility bills--
with the amount of money Virginia provides in unemployment benefits," Carroll Foy said. "Our neighboring states recognize that and pay more. We can use money from our general fund to shore up families."
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 2, 2021
Jennifer McClellan:
Extend time for people to pay mortgage & avoid foreclosure
[On pandemic economy rules]: "The more we can do to help people pay their mortgage and avoid being put out on the street, the better that is for everybody," McClellan said. "That's why you see a bill with no opposition." Under current state law, a
mortgage company must give 14 days' notice before it plans to auction off someone's home. McClellan's measure would extend that period to 60 days while also requiring lenders to notify the borrowers about financial and legal resources available.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 2, 2021
Kirk Cox:
Use surplus to send out tax rebates to help families
Cox said that the state should use $730 million in additional projected revenues to cut checks for Virginians to the tune of $190 for individuals and $380 for families. "This plan takes the $730 million that the reforecast came down with, and does a
straight tax rebate. The feeling is that families have really struggled--no question about that--and this would help them with what they need to do. That could be an electric bill, clothes for kids, tutoring expenses," Cox said.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 16, 2021
George Allen:
No future debt-limit increases until spending is restrained
Allen said the country's economic and fiscal climate is different than it was when he voted for debt limit increases during his Senate term. "The credit-worthiness of America for the first time in our history has been downgraded. The annual deficits are
now over a trillion dollars every single year. When I left the U.S. Senate, the annual deficit was about $160 billion." Allen said he would not support future debt-limit increases unless they come with "concrete ironclad spending restraints."
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
Lee Carter:
Put economic power into the hands of working people
Carter cast himself as an outsider--an electrician and part-time Lyft driver who struggled to get state unemployment payments during the pandemic, the only veteran among the group. "It's no secret that Virginia is divided," he said. "But that
division is not between Democrats and Republicans. It's not between urban and rural voters. It's between the haves and have-nots." He pledged to put economic power into the hands of working people and to defy big corporations.
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Jennifer McClellan:
Food Access Investment grants will reduce food disparities
Governor Northam announced that the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund will provide grants between $5,000 to $50,000 to support food retail projects that increase food access in underserved communities. Said McClellan, "Not only does the
Fund help position the Commonwealth as a leader in reducing food disparities, it also helps to build community assets, pride, and power by and with historically marginalized communities."
Source: WTKR Coastal Virginia CBS-3 on 2021 Virginia Governor race
Feb 1, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026