WILLIAMSBURG -- A grass-roots group on Thursday sold cupcakes and other baked goods to raise money and awareness of state budget needs.
Hour-long sales were held around Virginia, including ones at the Williamsburg Library and at Little Neck Towers in Va. Beach.
VOP says it also hopes to alert Gov. Bob McDonnell and other state legislators that budget cuts will hurt schools, transportation and more at a time when services are most needed.
"Until our leaders in Richmond wake up and raise new revenue, we will need to raise the money for schools, health care and public safety ourselves by holding millions of bake sales!," said VOP spokeswoman Denise Smith.
Marisol Hugo stopped by the Va. Beach sale. She said she's worried about cuts to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, where she works, and cuts to schools because her husband teaches.
"I don't even know what that could mean for the next school year, the next six months," said said.
Meantime, negotiators for the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate are in Richmond trying to hammer out a budget before the General Assembly session ends on March 13.
Revenues are $4 billion shy of forecast.
Mary Ann Keller said she didn't know state lawmakers were poised to slash that much.
"I knew there were cuts, but I had no idea the degree they were cutting," she stated.
Proceeds from the bake sale will go the state's general fund.
