Governor Bob McDonnell announced that full-time state employees will receive a 3% bonus today, the result of a “cost-cutting dividend” and successful economic development.
Instead of spending every last dollar down to zero, state agencies were given this incentive to save money.
State employees and agencies saved $174.7 million, earning this bonus totaling $82.2 million.
This is a conservative approach to government, far different from the Tim Kaine years where the only solution was raising taxes.
McDonnell, and all hard-working state employees, should be commended for focusing on cutting wasteful government spending, and allowing employees to reap part of the dividend is a fantastic approach that should be adopted by all levels of government.
This is a one-time bonus, but if this is the result, this is an incentive that should be repeated. Anyone who says that the only solution to government revenue shortfalls is a tax increase needs to see the work McDonnell is doing to make sure the dollars already spent are spent wisely.