The $100B question: What will happen to Hampton Roads (VA)?

[unhappycamper]

U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, a Chesapeake Republican, says that even with a tight budget, the first step for the government has to be establishing what is needed for national security.


The $100B question: What will happen to Hampton Roads?
By Bill Bartel
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 6, 2010

WASHINGTON - As a new Congress comes to power in January with a mandate to make steep cuts in federal spending, should Hampton Road s' military-dependent economy brace for major hits?

Not necessarily, say members of Virginia's congressional delegation and some experts.

Much will depend on the economy, the upcoming debate over national security needs and the ability of Virginia's congressmen and lobbyists to make a case that defense dollars are better spent in the commonwealth than somewhere else.

~snip~

The annual payroll in Hampton Roads for military and civilian Department of Defense employees amounted to $4.97 billion in 2009, according to federal records. That's 42 percent of Virginia's $12 billion defense payroll, which includes the Pentagon in Arlington.

When you count housing allowances and other fringe benefits, the figure for the Hampton Roads region doubles, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

[Blue_Tires]

1. put up or shut up time for some regional congresscritters

for two years, they have repeated nonstop the mantra of how EVUL big gummitt, taxes, wasteful pork, and deficit spending were, and how it is business, not governenment that creates jobs...But you should have heard the howling and teeth-gnashing when Gates proposed shutting down JFCOM...