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Raises unlikely, layoffs possible |
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Stephanie
Gross
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U.Va. President John T. Casteen III and legislators Creigh Deeds,
Mitch Van Yahres and Rob B. Bell III participated in the University’s
annual Legislative Forum Jan. 4. Some 250 people, mostly U.Va.
employees, attended. |
By Matt Kelly
State
legislators painted a bleak budget picture as they listened to constituents
at the University’s annual legislative forum, held Jan. 4 in
Newcomb Hall.
In
opening remarks, U.Va. President John T. Casteen III noted that
this year marks the first time in his adult life that the General
Assembly would wrestle with a budget deficit. Legislators must close
a $1.2 billion hole in the budget for the current fiscal year, which
ends June 30.
State
Sen.-elect Creigh Deeds, elected last month to fill the unexpired
term of the late Emily Couric, predicted a difficult session. He
charged that outgoing Gov. Jim Gilmore had proposed a “political
budget” for the 2002-04 biennium that incoming Gov.-elect Mark
Warner and legislators on both sides of the aisle are preparing
to overhaul.
“It
will have to be written again from fresh cloth,” Deeds said.
Deeds
noted that state agency heads were looking at the possibility of
cutting jobs, and legislators could not realistically commit to
any new spending, despite pressure to do so. Full
story.
Fans
‘appreciate’ new security
By
Matt Kelly
Fewer
alcohol-related incidents were reported at football games after
University officials changed rules and security procedures at Scott
Stadium in the wake of September’s terrorist attacks.
Among
the changes: patrons were not readmitted once they left the stadium;
bags, backpacks, banners and poles were added to the list of prohibited
items, which already included food, alcohol and coolers; and the
number of security personnel was increased. Full
story.
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