At a town hall meeting at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, Senator Warner had a spirited discussion with local residents about the stimulus plan, government spending and deficits.

Some attendees raised concerns that the recovery effort will increase the size of the federal budget deficit.

Senator Warner said, while the stimulus package was not perfect, it is critically important that the federal government use every available tools to stimulate local economies and put people back to work.

Senator Warner reminded the anti-tax activists that 40% of the stimulus package is made up of tax cuts -- $800 a year for most families, $400 for most individuals, as well as generous new tax breaks for small businesses.

"I don't like paying taxes either, and I certainly want to make sure my taxdollars are spent efficiently," said the Senator, who noted that the belt-tightning and efficiencies he enacted as Governor won Virginia the national designation as the country's best managed state.  

He told the crowd that he is working with his colleagues to try to bring more efficiency and greater accountability to Washington spending.