Free Republic

The Warner administration today revised revenue projections, suggesting that the state could have a budget surplus of more than $1.2 billion for lawmakers to spend. Gov. Mark R. Warner, who recently said the expected surplus would be about $919 million, told assembly leaders that they could have an additional $230 million to $290 million because of a red-hot state economy.

<p>Gov. Mark R. Warner last night exhorted lawmakers to adopt his proposed budget and tax-raising plan to restore the state's fiscal integrity and invest in education, transportation, health care for the poor and disabled and public safety.</p> <p>In his State of the Commonwealth address to the opening night of the General Assembly session, the Democratic leader sounded a conciliatory tone for the GOP-dominated legislature but said he would not abide budgetary tinkering and wishful thinking about the state's economic growth.</p>