Adam Rhew of NBC29 sat down with five Virginia governors and talked about a number of issues. (The video is available here.)  Participating were current governor Tim Kaine and former governors Linwood Holton, Doug Wilder, George Allen and Jim Gilmore. The entire interview is worth a watch.

One point that Wilder brought up is the effect of the single-term governor on the budget (look around the 15:20 mark). Wilder says:

I have a one-word definition for politics: money. And when you have the pen – and has been pointed out, you do two budgets:  the one for the guy that’s coming in and a half of the term that you’re there. Which means you are  controlling pretty much the next guy’s term. The first two years – you can write it. And it takes a heck of a lot to overturn it.

I have long advocated for moving the budget cycle to odd-numbered years.  And I’m not the only one. But rare is the case where we hear quite clearly the effect of the budget on the single term of our governor.

Why is our legislature so stubborn in doing the right thing by the voters of Virginia? When we elect a new governor every four years, shouldn’t they have the ability to attempt to achieve their stated goals? The system we have now guarantees that they never have to face the voters again. Combine that with the reality of what amounts to a two-year term and it’s a wonder anything gets done in Richmond.