In his interview in the Sept. 30 edition of Rappahannock News, Del. Michael Webert stated that expanding healthcare programs including Medicare and Medicaid would “bankrupt” the commonwealth.

In recent weeks the Virginia legislature passed the 2021 budget to spend the proceeds of the American Rescue Plan (HB 7001). This budget provides funding for salary raises for law enforcement officers, replenishes the unemployment fund, increases funding for college education and mental health services, supports access to high speed internet for all Virginians by 2024 and other projects improving the quality of life for all Virginians. With all this, it still ends up with a budget surplus.

This budget bill passed with significant bipartisan support; more than half of the Republican caucus voted in favor. Unfortunately Michael Webert, the delegate from our 18th District was among the minority who voted against this excellent legislation.