Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell has cut his office spending by $3.8 million, or 9 percent, as a proactive move to help meet the state's budget difficulties.

The cuts include 2 percent reductions in McDonnell's salary over the next six months and those of his 10 executive attorneys, for savings of $17,000.

McDonnell, the likely Republican nominee for governor next year, also is giving up the leased 2005 Ford Explorer the state provides the Attorney General. He said this will save more than $5,000 over the rest of his term, which expires in January, 2010.

The cost-cutting moves also include a hiring freeze, leaving current vacant positions unfilled and eliminating some fax machines and phone lines.

The state is facing a potential budget deficit of $3 billion. -- Tyler Whitley