Brian Coy, press secretary to McAuliffe, responded, “The governor has been advised by his counsel that if the General Assembly fails to do its job and pass the budget, he has broad authority to continue serving taxpayers.”

“That’s not something we’re going to litigate in the press,” Coy added. “We’re more concerned about getting a budget and avoiding a shutdown than with these hypothetical scenarios.”

McAuliffe briefed budget negotiators for the House and Senate separately Monday about the potential shortfall if revenue collections do not recover this month and June.

Earlier in the day, senior attorneys for the Division of Legislative Services told the Appropriations Committee that they believe the governor has limited powers under the Virginia Constitution and state law to spend money that the legislature has not appropriated by law.

Jones said the situation makes it “imperative that we reach an agreement on the 2014-2016 budget as quickly as possible.”

McAuliffe said the same thing after meeting with House budget negotiators Monday, but the two sides remain in stalemate over an expansion of health insurance coverage as proposed by the Senate in its budget.