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“Funds that are allocated in this budget are given to educational programs in Virginia, not to Big Bird or Clifford the Big Red Dog,” said Delegate Robin Abbott, D-Newport News.

Other opponents of the amendment said public broadcasting provides important information that may no longer be available from for-profit media, which are struggling economically.

“The media room used to be filled with reporters covering the General Assembly,” said Delegate Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. “And now we are down to one cameraman and one radio correspondent, both from public broadcasting.”

Some supporters of McDonnell’s amendment acknowledged that they enjoy public broadcasting. But they agreed with the governor that Virginia shouldn’t be funding such a service in light of the state’s multibillion-dollar budget problems.

“I do not see how the argument can be made that public broadcasting is a core government responsibility, compared to education, public safety and natural resources,” said Delegate R. Steven Landes, R-Verona.

Legislators returned to the Capitol on Wednesday to consider McDonnell’s proposals to make about 100 changes to the state’s two-year budget and amend more than 100 bills that had been passed earlier in the spring.

The General Assembly approved more than 90 percent of the governor’s proposals. McDonnell thanked lawmakers for doing so.

“Together we closed an historic budget shortfall without raising taxes. We focused on reducing government spending at a time when families and businesses are doing the same,” McDonnell said.

“While many states try to navigate these difficult times by significantly raising taxes on their citizens and businesses, Virginia has chosen to take a different and more fiscally responsible path.

Copyright 2010 The Gainesville Times. All rights reserved.