Sunday, January 01, 2006
Mark Warner's rising stock
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roanoke.com/politics
The Warner years
2002
Jan. 12: Warner sworn in as 69th governor. He vows to launch "a little revolution" by "changing the way we do business in Richmond."
Jan. 22: Warner and key GOP lawmakers reach an accord on steps to offset nearly $4 billion in budget shortfalls. They agree to withdraw half of the money in the state's "rainy day" fund, transfer money from the transportation trust fund to the general fund and defer pay raises.
June 23: Warner announces that Virginia finished the fiscal year with the most severe revenue decline in its history and has bigger problems looming.
Oct. 15: Warner announces he will cut $858 million from Virginia's budget by laying off more than 1,800 public employees and curtailing services. He also said the state will shut down 12 Department of Motor Vehicles offices, a move he later reverses.
Nov. 5: In a stinging defeat for Warner, voters in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads resoundingly reject regional sales tax increases to pay for transportation.
2003
Feb. 3: A divided House shelves a proposed constitutional amendment to allow future governors to seek re-election, a change Warner had championed. Later, the House kills legislation to strengthen the state's seat belt law, delivering another defeat.
July 1: The Atlantic Coast Conference adds Virginia Tech to the league after some behind-the-scenes arm twisting by Warner.
Nov. 24: Warner calls for increases in taxes on retail sales, cigarettes and incomes greater than $100,000, a reduction in the sales tax on groceries, and increasing personal and dependent income tax deductions.
2004
March 16: Warner orders lawmakers into special session after they adjourn without passing a budget and launches a statewide tour at a Roanoke coffeehouse to push for a compromise.
April 27: The House and Senate agree on a tax bill worth $1.4 billion over two years, two weeks after 17 House Republicans broke ranks to support a compromise.
Dec. 6: Warner unveils a plan to strengthen the economies of rural and distressed areas.
2005
Jan. 12: Warner announces the creation of 400 railroad jobs in Roanoke plus hundreds of new manufacturing jobs in Southwest and Southside Virginia, and pledges to continue working to help economically distressed communities.
Feb. 27: General Assembly adjourns after approving much of Warner's legislative agenda. But lawmakers gut much of Warner's plan targeted to economic development plans for rural areas.
Aug. 29: Warner tells legislative money committees the state's $544 million budget surplus "is clear evidence that businesses and individuals in Virginia are prospering."
Nov. 8: Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine is elected Virginia's 70th governor.
Dec. 16: Warner pitches a two-year budget that plows revenue from a growing economy into core state services and targeted spending for transportation, higher education and environmental initiatives.
