Kaine on the economy and
'going green'

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - In just a couple of days, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will deliver his "State of the Commonwealth" address. But WAVY.com caught up with him Monday to talk about his plans to slash billions of dollars from the budget.

On the chopping block is the "Southeastern Virginia Training Center" in Chesapeake, for mentally challenged children and adults.

The governor was in Virginia Beach Monday morning to discuss energy initiatives. The governor admits the General Assembly will have the final say, but says he wants to close the center and create services in the community outside of an institution.

Governor Tim Kaine quickly walked up to greet business leaders and others gathered at Solar Services in Virginia Beach to talk about new energy and environmental initiatives. Going green for heating and cooling needs he says will benefit homeowners, as well as businesses. He adds there're tax breaks for those using the new technologies and he expects these initiatives to create new jobs. This in what he calls a "tough economy."

"There isn't any reason because the economy's tough to put our heads in our shells. There's some belt tightening that has to go on of course, but as I told my cabinet secretary and agency heads we can't stop innovating and we can't stop investing. We just have to make our decisions whether they're cuts or investments with tomorrow in mind rather than today," explained Kaine.

It's the same logic he says he applied to his recommendation to shut down the Southeastern Virginia Training Center in Chesapeake.

Governor Kaine some took our questions concerning Southeastern Virginia Training Center and their families. Too bad he hadn't seen the video we gathered during our visits - ha may have noticed the outpouring of support for the center's continued operation.

The governor says it's best to close Southeastern, not only to save money, but because it needs costly upgrades. "Rather than put that money into upgrading an institution I don't think frankly we need I've been able to find 47 million dollars in savings, capital and operating, that I have proposed putting into community services to treat people with mental illness and mental retardation," Kaine said.

The center employs around 480 and is home to about 175 people.

Kaine further explained, "...obviously there's a concern about jobs and there's a concern about folks who are there and where will they go. We believe many of them can actually receive services where their families are. They don't need to be institutionalized."

He says Virginia needs to move away from that mindset and move toward community-based services.

The governor has proposed closing Southeastern in June. The General Assembly convenes Wednesday in Richmond.