NBC29Inside Kaine's Valley Tour

Inside Kaine's Valley Tour

NBC29's Henry Graff spent the day with Governor Tim Kaine, starting in Charlottesville and ending in Staunton. We heard a lot of budget concerns along the way.

Beginning in Charlottesville, Kaine was upfront and honest with the crowd that gathered at the State Department of Foresty. He said the financial forecast isn't good.

Talking with those on the front lines, the governor is looking to see what the local priorities. "People are hurting and so you hear about that," said Kaine (D). 

During our walk along the streets of Staunton, the governor said he has already cut $1.5 billion out of next year's budget but he still has to find another billion. Those cuts will be felt on the local level and Kaine says many people will be out of a job.

But according to Kaine, they must, "Make sure that we do those cuts in a way that will position us for success. It's a tough time now but if you make the right cuts now, when the economy improves, you'll rocket ahead."

Between now and December, Kaine says he will work with his financial team and local governments to adjust Virginia's future spending plan.

As for his own future, Kaine says he's staying put for now.  It has been rumored that Kaine might be tapped to become the next attorney general under president-elect Barack Obama. "He and I have already talked and I congratulated him and said but I really need to stay on as governor through January of 2010. That's what the people elected me to do," shared Kaine (D). 

Kaine says he will start thinking about his next step in the spring.

Reported by Henry Graff
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