Commonwealth Center appears to be safe from closure

Staunton’s Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents survived during final General Assembly budget deliberations Saturday.

Funding for the center was part of the House of Delegates’ 90-8 passage of the budget Saturday afternoon. The Virginia Senate later voted 35-5 to approve the state budget Saturday night with funding included for the Commonwealth Center.

The center had been designated for closure June 30 as part of budget cuts by Gov. Timothy Kaine to bridge a $2.9 billion gap.

Budget amendments, including one by Del. Chris Saxman of Staunton, restored funding for the center, which treats emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.

Saxman said Saturday night that he was confident the center would now remain open.

“We have made the case that the center is a core function of government,” the delegate said.

Saxman said the only way the center would close is if Kaine exercised a line-item veto when the budget reaches his desk for signature.

Del. Steve Landes thinks a Kaine veto is unlikely. Landes said that while he hasn’t talked to Kaine directly, he anticipates the governor will take note of the Senate and House passage of funding for the center.

Landes said passage of the state budget during tough economic times was difficult.

But he said there were important appropriations, such as increased funding for economic recruitment.

The extra money for the Governor’s Opportunity Fund will help recruit new business and expand existing business in Virginia.

“A lot of businesses are recovering or looking to recover,” Landes said.

The delegate said Virginia needs to be ready to help new or existing businesses.