Southwest Virginia residents let state lawmakers know their thoughts on how money should be spent in

RICHLANDS, Va. – Anita Sullins was one of about 80 Southwest Virginia residents who on Thursday asked legislators from the Virginia General Assembly’s two powerful money committees for a slice of the state’s two-year nearly $80 billion budget.

Sullins didn’t ask for anything directly for herself. Instead, she wants Virginia lawmakers to boost the wages for personal-care workers who help her and other Virginians with disabilities so they can remain in their homes instead of living in institutions.

She is a quadriplegic who uses a special device to speak.

She and others asked lawmakers to support a health panel’s recommendation to give the state’s personal-care workers a 10 percent pay hike. The workers said giving the Medicaid-funded workers the pay boost would help keep many of Virginia’s elderly and disabled people in their own homes rather than in institutions and nursing home facilities.

The workers, many sporting T-shirts proclaiming their message for state support, said they provide many types of service such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and other tasks their clients need to remain in their homes. They decried the heavy number of workers who leave the job because of low wages.

Sullins told the lawmakers she would have to live in an institution if not for the services offered by the personal-care workers.

"It’s way less expensive for taxpayers," she said of living at home.

State Sen. William Wampler, R-Bristol, appeared moved by Sullins’ comments.

"Your communication was powerful," said Wampler, a high-ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. "You advocated for yourself as well as other consumers."

Roger Ramey of Pounding Mill, Va., said his 49-year-old son relies on the services of a personal-care worker.

"It’s difficult to get good help," Ramey said.

The personal-care employees work hard but get little in return in terms of wages and health benefits, Ramey said.

Representatives from various agencies and organizations across the region also addressed lawmakers. Some spoke in favor of funding for various programs operated by People Inc. of Abingdon. Others asked for money for arts programs in Virginia and financial support for various mental health programs in the region.

The General Assembly will debate Gov. Tim Kaine’s two-year budget when the 2008 session begins later this month.

Delegate Bud Phillips, D-Sandy Ridge, serves on the House Appropriations Committee. Such budget hearing gives local residents a chance to address their concerns to lawmakers without having to make the long trek to Richmond, he said.

"This is an opportunity that we don’t get often in the region," Phillips said.

He warned that the state budget keeps growing, but so does the commonwealth’s needs.

"It’s the hardworking people’s tax dollars that we are spending," Phillips said.

Lawmakers must set priorities, he added.

"For me, it’s education, transportation, economic development, and health and human services," Phillips said." I learned very early that there is never enough money to do everything we in the General Assembly want, and that our citizens want."

The legislature will consider Kaine’s proposed budget, which includes addressing a $641 million shortfall in the current budget. The governor proposes taking $261 million from the state’s rainy day fund, cutting $300 million in funding and using $96 million in money saved from various agencies.

The budget, as proposed, includes no new taxes but increases renewal of driver’s licenses by $5. It also cuts the state’s $16 annual vehicle safety sticker inspections in favor of a $20 inspection fee every other year.

Teachers and state workers get no pay raises in 2008 but would be in line for a raise in 2009.

Kaine’s budget also includes a $46 million boost for mental health programs.

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