By Suzanne Tate
Opinion Page Editor / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: December 10, 2009

The day of financial reckoning is upon us. In fact, expect it to arrive next Friday when Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine delivers his final biennial budget to the General Assembly.

We acknowledge that it’s a quirky system – the outgoing governor presents a two-year budget as the new governor comes into office. And we know Gov.-Elect Bob McDonnell, who takes office in January, can press and mold and push for the changes he wants. But a $3.7 billion shortfall is a chasm no matter how anyone looks at it.

Here’s what we see: K-12 education will be the biggest loser. After two years of recession and $7 billion in cuts, it’s the long protected place where cuts will now occur.

During a conference call with this newspaper’s editorial board on Wednesday, Kaine acknowledged that the budget to be released next week will be austere, tough and include cuts that many Virginians will not like. Kaine was not specific, but alluded to possible cuts in K-12 education and reversing previous cuts to car tax relief. Don’t look for any car tax changes to stick – days ago McDonnell has said he would not support reversing the cuts and other Republicans are expected to support him on this.

Read more on the opinion page of the Friday edition of the Bristol Herald Courier.