Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell had the grace to call this week’s good news — the commonwealth’s $448.5 million budget — “a bipartisan accomplishment.” But make no mistake: The Republican’s frugal spending policies are the real reason Virginia racked up nearly $1.4 billion in total surpluses during the first three years on his watch.

When he was elected in 2009, McDonnell promised voters he would streamline state government and make it more efficient, and he has fulfilled that pledge. About a quarter ($129.2 million) of this year’s surplus in Virginia comes from higher-than-predicted revenue — a result of economic growth in this business-friendly state, not higher taxes. But most of it ($319.3 million) is unspent money from general and nongeneral funds.