SD15 - Review of State Spending: 2010 Update


Executive Summary:
Virginia’s operating budget increased by 59 percent between fiscal years 2001 and 2010—a 20 percent growth in general funds and a 103 percent growth in non-general funds. These longer term budget trends mask the 13 percent decline in the general fund over the last three fiscal years.

Adjusting for the effects of inflation and population growth, the general fund declined ten percent over the ten-year period while the non-general fund and the total budget increased by 51 percent and 19 percent, respectively. The State’s budget has also become more dependent on non-general funds as the share of the budget derived from such funds increased from 47 percent ($11.0 billion) in FY 2001 to 60 percent ($22.3 billion) in FY 2010.

Most of the ten-year, $13.8 billion growth remains concentrated in core functions of State government: health care, education, and transportation. For example, 53 percent of all budget growth occurred in just four agencies: the Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Education, University of Virginia (including the Medical Center), and the Department of Social Services.

General fund growth was also concentrated in a few core State agencies, largely reflecting policy choices and initiatives of the Governor and General Assembly.