Bake Sales Aim to Help State Budget

Updated: 6:34 PM Mar 4, 2010

Members of the Virginia Organizing Project are holding a bake sale on the Downtown Mall to benefit the state's general fund. Their message to the state government is that to fix the budget deficit, it should raise funds instead of cut them.

Posted: 12:04 PM Mar 4, 2010
Reporter: Cheryn Stone
Email Address: cheryn.stone@newsplex.com

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March 4, 2010

The Virginia Organizing Project is raising revenue, one cupcake at a time.

The grassroots group is holding a bake sale on the Downtown Mall to balance the budget. The group wants to send a message to Gov. Bob McDonnell and the state legislators.

"We're going to take the proceeds and give it to the governor and say, 'Common people know how to raise money, why don't you?'" one person said.

That mimics the group's message, which is the answer to the state's budget crisis lies in raising revenue, not in making cuts.

The Organizing Project said a "cuts-only" approach to the budget shortfall is irresponsible.

Instead, state and local leaders need to raise money to protect schools and public safety, members said.

"If you keep continuing to cut, you won't have anything, just like if you have a family budget," member Harold Folley said. "And you know if you're lacking in money, you have to get an extra job or extra income. It's time for the governor and legislators to think about what we can do so we don't have to keep cutting."

Bake sales similar to the one on the Downtown Mall are being held all over Virginia Thursday. Organizers said the proceeds will go to the state's general fund.

Statewide, Thursday's bake sales amassed more than $920.

Latest Comments

Posted by: The Dude Location: Greene County on Mar 4, 2010 at 05:19 PM

Cut the fat, cut the fat. For too long, Virgina bureaucrats & politicians have been living large on the tax payers money, with absolutely little or no return for those who actually pay taxes. Start with salaries first! I have been reading this little booklet from "Americans for Prosperity" which list all sort of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. They have over shown almost $6 BILLION dollars in savings over the next 5-7 years. It's a brave new world boys and girls, and NEVER again will Virginia nor America ever be so prosperous, i.e., the party is over.

Posted by: Kim Location: Charlottesville on Mar 4, 2010 at 01:15 PM

What are some of their specific suggestions as to how to raise funds? I'd like to see the story include at least 10 of their suggestions for raising funds - surely they had a flyer with some concrete steps they think the state should take.

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