Virginia House of Delegates Speaker and Chairman of the joint House-Senate Committee on Rules William J. Howell (R-Stafford) announced Thursday $7,356,129 in legislative branch savings that will be returned to the general fund at the end of fiscal year 2014. This includes over $3.7 million in savings from legislative branch agencies and over $3.5 million in savings from legislative commissions and councils. Speaker Howell made the following statement on the announcement: “These savings reflect the fiscally conservative and responsible approach to governing that Virginia taxpayers demand. The people of Virginia expect its leaders to set priorities, make tough decisions and ensure that government lives within its means. “I want to thank the agency heads, legislative branch employees and the board and commission members who have been efficient and effective stewards of taxpayer resources over the last several years. Since 2010, the legislative branch has returned over $19 million in savings to the general fund. Since 2003, the House of Delegates alone has returned over $5 million in savings. “The savings announced today are especially important given the potential budget shortfall for the current fiscal year and the next budget biennium. I am encouraging all legislative branch agencies to be very mindful of the resources and constraints due to this potential shortfall and will continue to demand nothing less than the utmost efficiency and effectiveness in the future.” A detailed list of balance reversions is listed below:
| Auditor of Public Accounts |
$900,000 |
| Division of Capitol Police |
$1,048,248 |
| Division of Legislative Automated Systems |
$702,416 |
| American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission |
$3,349,781 |
| Division of Legislative Services |
$645,617 |
| Chesapeake Bay Commission |
$1,306 |
| Joint Commission on Health Care |
$25,000 |
| Virginia Commission on Youth |
$16,672 |
| Virginia Disability Commission |
$18,736 |
| Joint Commission on Technology and Science |
$120,000 |
| Small Business Commission |
$11,893 |
| Autism Advisory Council |
$6,300 |
| State Water Commission |
$10,160 |
| Legislative Department Reversion Clearing Account |
$500,000 |
| TOTAL: |
$7,356,129 |