Jan. 29, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Tuesday urged the Legislature to pass a lump-sum Fiscal Year 2002 budget for the executive branch during this week's legislative session, to replace the line-item budget approved last fall.
"In normal times, a line-item budget would be an acceptable practice," Turnbull said in a Government House release, but "these are no ordinary times." He said the executive branch "cannot afford to have its hands tied" as it seeks "to address crime and provide for the public safety at a time of national emergency."
He also said Education Department efforts to address problems are being delayed because the department cannot "commit funds in priority areas without seeking legislative adjustment to the 2002 Fiscal Year budget."
The executive branch faces too many critical challenges, the governor said, "for it to be prevented from adjusting its spending priorities without the burdensome process of additional legislative committee hearings."
The full Senate will be in session Wednesday and Thursday on St. Thomas. The governor's lump-sum budget request is not scheduled to be taken up. For the full agenda, see the "Legislative Calendar" item in this section of the Source.