Delegate McNamara says December revenue report removed from public website; urges transparency during budget debate

RICHMOND — Delegate McNamara used a personal‑privilege statement Feb. 6 to accuse the governor’s office of removing a key December master revenue report from public posting and to press for immediate transparency as lawmakers consider the budget.

“Members on this side of the aisle could not access it. Members on that side of the aisle could not access it. The public can't access it,” McNamara said on the floor, noting that a January 14 release covering the first six months had been taken down. She said she had contacted a former secretary of finance and requested a hard copy but had not received it.

McNamara questioned what the missing report might show and cited specific possibilities in her remarks: “Could it be that our December revenue surged by 21% over the prior year? Could it be that our general fund revenues are 8.6% higher than last year? Could it be that our 6‑month revenues are $1,200,000,000 higher than the assumed budget we crafted less than a year ago?”

She framed the absence of the document as a process problem that weakens the legislature’s position during budget debate and said it undermines public confidence. McNamara said Republicans stood ready to pursue affordability measures but that, in her view, limiting access to historic revenue data prevents honest discussion about options.

The statement did not elicit an immediate on‑the‑floor response attributing a reason for the removal. The clerk and presiding officer did not record an administrative explanation during the session. The transcript shows McNamara concluding the statement without receiving the promised hard copy.

Procedural note: the House recessed after completing its calendar and scheduled the Appropriations Committee and two subcommittees to meet immediately upon recess; follow‑up reporting should seek the December revenue report from the secretary of finance and the governor’s office for confirmation.