Gov. Timothy M. Kaine issued the following statement Thursday regarding President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed economic recovery package:

"I was pleased to join President-elect Obama today as he announced his proposed economic recovery package.

“Virginians, like the rest of the nation, face a challenging economic landscape. Hardworking families and businesses have had to tighten their belts as they look towards an uncertain future. State Government has not been immune to these challenges. Over the past two years, Virginia’s government has worked pro-actively to manage the budget in this difficult time. We have found savings in every area of state government. And we have made the tough decisions to keep the budget balanced without any general tax increase and without compromising core services.

“President-elect Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Package will ensure that governors will not have to make even deeper cuts; cuts that will only serve to exacerbate the severe economic straits we are already facing. Virginians and the rest of the nation will greatly benefit from investments in infrastructure, health care and education. We will be able to restore funding to important transportation projects, and work to solve the transportation problems plaguing our state. We will be able to invest in broadband projects that will help Virginia keep its competitive edge. And we will be able to further improve our schools and health care systems at a time when they desperately need it.

“By providing these much needed federal investments to states, we will be able to better stem our national recession and allow other sources of investment to take root and succeed in turning our economy around. The proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan put forth by President-elect Obama will be good for our Commonwealth and our country. I applaud the President-elect on his plan, and look forward to working with him to move Virginia and our nation forward."