Bob-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Gov. Bob McDonnell
Bob-O-Meter Scorecard
- Promise Kept 8 (%)
- Compromise 2 (%)
- Promise Broken 2 (%)
- Stalled 1 (%)
- In the Works 6 (%)
- Not yet rated 30 (%)
PolitiFact Virginia has compiled promises that Bob McDonnell made during the 2010 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Bob-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See our About the Bob-o-meter page for details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Bob-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Train more doctors to practice in rural areas
The Promise:
"We will offer assistance to the new VCOM in Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech Carilon School of Medicine in Roanoke, to train more doctors and nurses to practice in rural Virginia."
Establish a health sciences high school
The Promise:
"In cooperation with our universities and community colleges, Bob McDonnell will establish at least one Virginia Health Sciences High School (academy or Governor's school) to specifically prepare students for further study in nursing, medical technology, pharmacy, medical equipment specialties and veterinary or medical school."
Promote health savings accounts
The Promise:
"We will publish a list of all insurers who offer health savings accounts."
Issue transportation bonds
The Promise:
While the General Assembly authorized $3 billion in bonds in 2007, not a single dollar of that money has been issued as of today. McDonnell will assure these bonds are issued beginning in 2010...As the economy recovers, Bob McDonnell will further seek the issuance of new bonds for highly congested areas, with a goal of issuing at least another $1 billion for priority state projects.
Increase resources to fight Medicaid fraud
The Promise:
"We will increase resources for the Commonwealth's Medicaid Fraud Unit at the attorney general's office."
Establish an inspector general
The Promise:
"Bob McDonnell will transform the state internal auditor into an inspector general with enhanced authority to proactively pursue citizen complaints concerning fraud, waste and abuse in state government."
Consolidate guides for business creation and expansion
The Promise:
Virginia has four different types of publications to help create and expand a business...As governor, Bob McDonnell will combine all resources into one updated manual.
Increase classroom share of education spending
The Promise:
The McDonnell/Bolling administration will increase the state average for spending in the classroom by 4 percent over the course of their administration.
Propose new methods for establishing charter schools
The Promise:
As governor, Bob McDonnell will propose alternative methods of establishing charter schools in Virginia, such as allowing the state Board of Education to approve applications.
Seek law establishing "gang-free zones"
The Promise:
Bob McDonnell will propose the expansion of “gang-free school zones,” into “gang-free zones,” similar to the “drug-free zones,” currently in our state laws.
Put tolls on North Carolina border
The Promise:
As governor, Bob McDonnell will provide an additional dedicated revenue stream for essential transportation needs by tolling travellers coming into Virginia at the North Carolina border on I-95 and I-85.
Consolidate asset forfeiture laws
The Promise:
Will propose amendments to asset forfeiture laws in 2011 General Assembly session.
Dedicate 75 percent of surpluses to transportation
The Promise:
As governor, Bob McDonnell will dedicate 75 percent of annual budget surplus revenue to transportation needs (after constitutionally mandated deposits).
Propose legislation to privatize liquor stores
The Promise:
Bob McDonnell will propose legislation to privatize ABC operation and use revenue generated for transportation, with most of the money going to maintenance.
Eliminate budget gimmicks
The Promise:
"We will eliminate budget gimmicks."
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