Gov. Tim Kaine this morning called for $348 million in state spending cuts and withdrawing about $400 million from the state's "rainy day" reserve fund to help offset a shortfall in Virginia's two-year budget.

The governor's spending cuts would eliminate about 1,400 positions throughout state government, with more than 570 jobs eliminated through layoffs. Kaine also postponed pay raises for state employees from Nov. 25 to next July. State colleges and universities would see 5 percent to 7 percent spending reductions. The cut to Virginia Tech, in particular, would be an $8.8 million reduction, 49 positions eliminated and three layoffs.

Kaine's actions are a first step toward addressing a $2.5 billion shortfall in the state's $77 billion budget. State officials largely attribute the revenue shortage to a national economic downturn that has weakened growth in state sales and income tax collections, two major sources of revenue in Virginia's general fund.

Discuss the cuts and the state budget shortfall.

As for Tim Kaine's announcement, is not big surprise. Everytime there is a shortfall in Richmond they target the same people...State workers!  Virginia employees are already seriously underpaid compared to other states.  The question is HOW did we get in this mess.  If I remember correctly we had a surplus of several million dollars a little over a year ago. He must have bought too much bottled water.

I think it goes without saying that Kaine has screwed us...AGAIN!  Actually when he was campaigning he was promising to raise taxes and he was still elected. You could say he keopt his promises. Does it really makes sense to layoff 540+ people and cut 1,400  state positions?  That will only put more pressure on other State agencies (unemployment, food stamps, etc.). As for not getting the promised pay raise in November, we are use to being screwed by the Governor!

If you like Kaine's polices....vote for Obama Hussain Barak...he is promising you the same things!!!  According to his wife, because a black man is running for President, she is for the first time, "proud of this Country". So what's in a name??  I can never accept someone with a muslim name as the President of the United States of America!!!!. God Help America if he is successful in November!

We are going down a treacherous road.  And for those that believe in the Bible, our days might be shorter than we think.  Read Revelations!

 I totally agree with brownark.  If people in this country do not wake up this world is going to be in a bigger mess than it is already in.  When people are not working and are on welfare, or not even trying to find a job, they are not paying taxes.  When taxes are not paid, the government suffers.  People rely on the government for their services.  Those services are going away more and more, because people are not working.  When government employees lose their job from layoff or do not get raises it is hard for them to spend money, so that also hurts the economy.  In order to get this world in better shape, everyone needs to get off their rears and go to work if they can.  Now, I know there are some folks out there who are really not able to work.  They deserve to get the services that they need.  People complain when they don't get the government services that they want and blame the employees.  But do they realize that it is not the employees they should be blaming?  A lot of agencies are already short handed and can only do so much with the employees that they have.  So, when you call to complain, think twice before you do.  Don't be nasty to the person on the phone taking your call.  It is not their fault.  It all goes back to people not working and then it goes back to the folks at the top (Governor's office) who make the cuts who cause these agencies to work with no employees.  This world can not afford to cater to the non workers anymore.  If you are a person who is out their trying to get a job, I commend you!!!  Making an effort is worth something.  If we the people don't do something now to save ourselves, we can only blame ourselves!!!