It looks like the Virginia General Assembly is heading for overtime, "the fourth extended legislative session in five years."
Saturday is the scheduled end of a 60-day legislative session that has been marred by partisanship between the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate. But before they can adjourn, House and Senate budget negotiators have to agree on a two-year, $77 billion spending plan, and both chambers must vote on it.If a budget deal isn't reached by midnight, legislators could decide to work through the weekend or to take a few days off and return to finish their work later in the month.
In the meantime, here's a summary of what's going on in Richmond:
*The Senate yesterday failed to override Gov. Kaine's vetoes of two bills aimed at repealing the "triggerman rule" on capital murder cases. The votes were 24-16 on SB 560 and HB 933
*The Washington Post reports that "Legislation that would allow judges to extend voting hours in case of an emergency was postponed yesterday until next year."
*The Washington Post also reports that "The House yesterday passed Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposal to give additional information and time to some homeowners facing foreclosure."
*The Richmond Times Dispatch reports, "The House voted 97-0 to adopt a compromise stipulating that if the U.S. Department of Education does not allow Virginia the flexibility it is requesting in implementing the federal law, the [State Board of Education] will recommend to the General Assembly whether to withdraw."
*The governor's recommendations on SB 718, which apparently would gut the already mild goal of reducing electricity consumption 10% by 2022 (relative to the base year of 2006). What the heck is THIS all about?!?
I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff, what are you hearing?