AG McDonnell slams the brakes on spending

The state budget shortfall is growing ominously larger. Estimates now put it as high as $2.9 billion and some agencies could get whacked by 20 percent, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said today.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell isn't waiting for the suspense to build. He's cutting the general fund budget at his office by 9.1 percent. That includes docking his own $150,000 annual salary by 2 percent and returning his official state vehicle -- a 2005 Ford Explorer.

Returning the vehicle will save more than $5,000 over the course of McDonnell's term, according to a statement from the AG's office. Also, 10 of his executive attorneys have volunteered to take a 2-percent pay cut for the next six months. A hiring freeze is in effect. Current vacant positions will not be filled. Reimbursement rates for travel have been cut and some fax machines and phone lines will be eliminated.

The 9.1 percent cut totals about $3.8 million. Incredibly, that's pocket change compared to the problem that state leaders now face.

"With a potential $3 billion shortfall looming, these reductions represent a small part of any solution," McDonnell said, "but as stewards of taxpayers' money, it is important that we do our part.

Spokesman Tucker Martin said McDonnell will travel in a "non-governmental vehicle" from here on. He could legally claim a 26.5-cent-per-mile reimbursement, but he won't. No word on what type of vehicle it'll be, but we hear those motor scooters are nice.