The number crunchers on Capitol Square have their slide rules in overdrive this week. Both the Senate and House of Delegates have until midnight Sunday to finish off their competing versions of the state budget. But a slowing economy and Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine complicated things a bit this week, announcing that what was a $640 million shortfall was now a gaping  $1.4 billion hole.

Naturally, the finger-pointing was rapid and widespread. Republicans in the House of Delegates blame Kaine for not producing new numbers earlier and rolling out a plan to fix the gap that could hurt local governments, particularly schools. From a House press release:

“There is no doubt that Virginia’s current economic situation presents Governor Kaine and the legislature with difficult decisions on how best to allocate taxpayer funds,” noted Delegate Lacey E. Putney (I-Bedford), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.  “However, that is no excuse to decrease important funding for our local elementary and secondary schools.  Should the Governor’s recommended education cuts be implemented, the negative impact will be felt on school children across the Commonwealth.”

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling was none too pleased, either.

We spoke with Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, about the situation in our second (and much higher quality) podcast here.

Look for more on the budget situation and its impact on school systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley in Friday's Northern Virginia Daily.

It's going to be an interesting weekend on the Square. Bring popcorn.