"If there ever was a time when Congress needed a consensus-builder willing to work across party lines to get things done, it is now... Kaine worked with a Republican-dominated House of Delegates and made fiscally responsible decisions in a difficult time. In contrast, George Allen was part of the Congress that created the Bush-era federal deficits — fighting two wars and adding a new Medicare drug program without paying for them. It is this federal fiscal irresponsibility — that Allen voted for — that led to the federal debt and economic bind we have today. The next U.S. senator from Virginia has to rise above the partisanship and special-interest politics dominating Congress and fight to break the deadlock in our national government. As governor, Kaine rose above the partisan debate and sought the common good in Virginia. As our next U.S. senator, he is well positioned to do the same for our country."
The truth speaks well of Kaine
By John S. Edwards
Edwards, of Roanoke, represents the 21st District in the Virginia Senate.
It is still early summer and already Virginia airwaves are blanketed with false, negative campaign advertising against Tim Kaine, Democratic nominee to replace U.S. Sen Jim Webb.
The attacks come from Americans for Prosperity, funded by the wealthy Koch brothers, which recently sponsored a road show through Virginia spreading falsehoods such as saying that as governor, Kaine left office with a budget deficit. This is, of course, false. As Virginians know, our constitution requires a balanced budget, unlike the federal system, so Kaine never signed a budget with a deficit.
In fact, The Associated Press reported, Kaine "never finished a fiscal year with insufficient funds."
Kaine's years in office were saddled with a national recession; in his last year, he faced a near collapse of the national financial system, made worse by Bush-era federal budget deficits and laxity in overseeing Wall Street financial markets. This led to the deepest recession since the 1930s. As governor, he stepped up to the plate and made tough choices, balancing the budget by cutting $5billion in spending, including cutting his own salary.
In fact, Kaine is the only governor in modern times to leave the state with a smaller general fund budget than the one he inherited.
Because of his leadership, Virginia was better positioned to weather the recession than most other states. In his four years in office, Virginia maintained a TripleA bond rating for fiscal management and one of the nation's lowest unemployment rates and highest median incomes.
During his term, Virginia was named the best managed state by Governing Magazine, the best state to raise a child by Education Week, and the best state for business by Forbes.com and CNBC.
Kaine also reduced the tax burden on Virginia families, cutting taxes for hundreds of thousands of Virginians.
Kaine also worked to protect our core services in a down economy. He expanded pre-kindergarten programs, protected more open spaces and passed landmark mental health reform. His leadership in higher education is seen in passing a record bond package that led to projects like the Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine and Virginia Tech-Carilion Research Institute in Roanoke.
He also initiated a new Amtrak service from Lynchburg, which has been remarkably successful. Ridership has continued to grow each year since it began in 2009.
If there ever was a time when Congress needed a consensus-builder willing to work across party lines to get things done, it is now. The partisan gridlock in Congress is sapping the institution of its ability to function. Kaine worked with a Republican-dominated House of Delegates and made fiscally responsible decisions in a difficult time.
In contrast, George Allen was part of the Congress that created the Bush-era federal deficits — fighting two wars and adding a new Medicare drug program without paying for them. It is this federal fiscal irresponsibility — that Allen voted for — that led to the federal debt and economic bind we have today.
The next U.S. senator from Virginia has to rise above the partisanship and special-interest politics dominating Congress and fight to break the deadlock in our national government. As governor, Kaine rose above the partisan debate and sought the common good in Virginia. As our next U.S. senator, he is well positioned to do the same for our country.
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