RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued the following statement on the 2015-2016 budget proposal unveiled today by Governor Bob McDonnell:

“Under the leadership of Governor Bob McDonnell and Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate, Virginia has passed four straight fiscally-responsible budgets that have generated over $2 billion in surpluses. Our rainy day fund is on track to exceed $1 billion by the end of this biennium and Virginia remains just one of 11 states with a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit review agencies.

“I applaud the proposal outlined by Governor McDonnell today. He has called for targeted investments in critical areas like K-12 Education, higher education and mental health. This is a conservative, fiscally-responsible proposal and a strong framework for the General Assembly to work from this year.

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership on the budget throughout his administration. His cautious, measured approach has left Virginia on solid financial footing and is a model for future Governors to follow.”