Virginia Headlines
General Assembly Adjourns On-Time with a Little Help from Federal Government
For the first time in several years, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned "sine die" (for good) on the scheduled adjournment date. The 2009 session came to a close on Feb. 28 as the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Delegates were able to reach accord on a budget plan to close a projected deficit of approximately $4 billion. The state was lent an assist by the federal government, however. The first round of federal stimulus money – about $1.2 billion – was received by the state and used to plug holes in education, public safety and health care. The General Assembly will reconvene in April for its annual veto session -- to consider legislation rejected or amended by the Governor. It is anticipated that the receipt and allocation of additional federal stimulus funding will be on the table during the veto session as well.
