Sheriffs rallied in Richmond this morning to save jail and courtroom security jobs.
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association wants lawmakers to find another $50 million in monies to offset proposed budget cuts.
Sheriffs from our area who made the trip include Martinsville’s Steve Draper, Henry County’s Lane Perry, Danville’s Mike Mondul, Montgomery County’s Tommy Whitt, and Franklin County’s Ewell Hunt.
“We feel it’s only fair that if we ask for additional funding we find a way to pay for it,“ Draper said in a phone interview as he drove back from Richmond.
The association put together several ideas to increase funding, including fee increases for filing civil lawsuits and a 2% increase on fees for homeowners’ insurance.
The only proposal with any life left is the civil lawsuit filing increase.
Draper, past president of the sheriffs’ association, said it would raise about $51 million in monies to help departments keep jail and courtroom security officers.
“We’ve reduced about everything we can possibly reduce without cutting people,“ Draper said.
It’s too early to tell how the sheriffs’ were received.
The budget bill is still in conference between selected members of the House of Delegates and Senate.
A final version of the budget must then be passed by both houses and delivered to the Governor for his signature.
The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn this Saturday.
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