House of Delegates Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate held dueling news conferences at the General Assembly Monday to highlight their policy agendas. The Democrats focused on bills that they say will help reign in gun violence, while the Republicans emphasized what they called “kitchen table” issues.

It’s been a contentious legislative session at the Virginia General Assembly this year. On this edition of Assembly Conversations, a roundtable discussion with journalists who’ve been covering the session. Anita Kumar of the Washington Post and Chelyen Davis of the Fredericksburg Freelance Star join host Bob Gibson.

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There’s been a flurry of bills in the Virginia legislature this session affecting public schools — some have died, some survived. Still unsettled is the level of funding those schools will receive for the next biennium, which now hangs in the balance until the Senate and House can agree on a budget. Join host Libby Fitzgerald and her guests Kitty Boitnott, President of the Virginia Education Association and Javaid Siddiqi, Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education  for a discussion of education funding and other issues.

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The Virginia General Assembly is in the process of writing a new two-year state budget and striving to complete its business by March 10th. On this episode of  Assembly Conversations,  a discussion on how your state dollars are being spent. Host Bob Gibson is  joined by Senators Tommy Norment, a Williamsburg Republican, and Donald McEachin, a Richmond-area Democrat.

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On this edition of Assembly Conversations from Virginia Public Radio, a discussion about open government in Virginia. Without knowledge of what public officials are doing and how they’re doing it, it’s impossible for Virginians to know how well their government is performing. There are laws in place that ensure public access to much of the governing process but not all. And in some cases existing laws have been less than effective. You’ll hear what the General Assembly is doing – and not doing – about making government more transparent on Assembly Conversations.

Here’s host Melinda Wittstock with guests Megan Ryhne with the Virginia Coalition on Open Government, and Ginger Stanley from the Virginia Press Association.

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On this edition of Assembly Conversations–  a program on public safety in Virginia. From changing the rules that govern concealed weapons to having officers check the immigration status of people stopped for traffic violations, the General Assembly is considering a long list of bills that would affect law enforcement and the public’s safety.  Here’s host Bob Gibson and his guests.

On this edition of Assembly Conversations a discussion of the all-important transportation issues confronting this year’s General Assembly. Lawmakers have been wrestling with the dilemma of how to fund pressing infrastructure repair and maintenance as well as new roads for congested areas, without taking money away from other needs and local programs. Here’s Libby Fitzgerald and her guests.

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The Virginia General Assembly continues to work through hundreds of bills and coming up with a new two-year budget. And for this session, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling is casting some tie-breaking votes in an evenly divided Virginia Senate. Bolling joins host Bob Gibson  as our guest on Assembly Conversations  to answer your questions about the General Assembly, politics and public policy.

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This week on Assembly Conversations we examine the relationship between the General Assembly and local government. With mandates handed down from Richmond and cuts in state funding for a range of services, many Virginia cities and counties are being squeezed financially. Governor McDonnell has recognized the problem and promised to help. But some localities wonder if that will be enough.

Join us now for a conversation with Shaun Kenney, Chairman Fluvanna Co Board of Supervisors; Pat Lacey from the Va. School Board Association; and Mike Amyx, Executive Director of the Va. Municipal League. Libby Fitzgerald hosts.

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The Virginia General Assembly is in its first full week of a long 2012 session. Lawmakers are working on this year’s legislation and a new two- year budget.  Listen now as host Bob Gibson talks with Governor Bob McDonnell about the Assembly, public policy, and Virginia politics.

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The Virginia General Assembly begins its 2012 session this week. Lawmakers will enact a new 2-year budget, consider whether to allow uranium mining, and work their way through some 3,000 pieces of legislation.   Listen here as Assembly Conversations  begins, with a look at some of the issues likely to be at the center of attention this year.

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The Virginia General Assembly is running a little longer than normal this year. The House, Senate and Governor have yet to reach final agreement on the redistricting of political boundaries leaving that task for April 25 when the Assembly reconvenes. On this Assembly Conversations, a discussion of what has been accomplished, and what remains unfinished featuring state delegates Dave Nutter and Jennifer McClellan. Bob Gibson hosts. Click here to download an MP3 of Assembly Conversations for April 19, 2011.

Logan Feree

Bob Roberts

Isaac Wood

Sean O

Hena Naghmi

“Redistricting” is the legislative map drawing that occurs every ten years to adjust for population shifts. Most times, the re-working of congressional and state legislative districts generates little public interest. But today, in Virginia, change is in the air. Public interest groups and even some politicians have been vehement in their criticism of efforts to gerrymander new districts in order to favor political power groups. And a heated debate about redistricting is going on this week in Virginia’s state capitol.  In this addition of  “Assembly Conversations” — a close up look at the redistricting debate and how it could affect communities across the commonwealth.

Host Tom Graham talks with political analysts Dr. Bob Roberts and Isaac Wood, political consultant Logan Ferree, as well as University of Virginia student Hena Naghmi, from the winning team in the Virginia College and University Redistricting Commission. Dr. Sean O’Brien, a member of the Governor’s Bipartisan Commission on Redistricting joins the panel.

Also, as you listen to the program, take a look at this user-friendly series of maps posted by the Virginian-Pilot, link posted below, allowing you to see the current districts, as well as the impact of redistricting proposals for the Senate made by Democrats, and the proposed map by Republicans made for the House.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/virginia-redistricting-proposed-maps

Also, need to know who your legislators are and how to contact them? Check out this link from the Virginia General Assembly’s website.

http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

Click here to download an MP3 of Assembly Conversations for April 5, 2011.

On this edition of Assembly Conversations, we  head to Hampton Roads to hear from Delegates Glenn Oder and Paula Miller. Also, meet three reporters who cover the General Assembly and a political science professor from Old Dominion University with the  timeline on what’s next now that the regular session is history.  Join host Cathy Lewis from WHRV.

Click here to download an MP3 of Assembly Conversations for March 1, 2011.

With just days left in this year’s General Assembly Session, everything from restrictions on cell phone use to budget cuts for local schools is still to be decided.  Journalists Anita Kumar and Chelyen Davis, as well as political scientist Bob Roberts join host Tom Graham  for  Assembly Conversations Listen  as they sort through what’s being decided.

Download an MP3 of Assembly Conversations for February 22, 2011 click here.

The Virginia General Assembly plans to wrap up its current legislative session at the end of the month and then to return to Richmond in April to engage in the once-a-decade process of redrawing the state’s legislative district lines. Hear host Bob Gibson as he talks with his guests, veteran state Senators Creigh Deeds and Emmett Hanger.

Download the Assembly Conversations for February 15, 2011 MP3 file here.

Virginia’s mental health laws and services are now under comprehensive examination,  as officials study ways to provide consumer and family-oriented mental health care of the highest quality…with limited budgets.  What are the roadblocks?  Listen in on “Assembly Conversations,” with host Tom Graham.  His guests include Bonnie Neighbour with the mental health consumers’ group “VOCAL,” and  Richard Bonnie, who chairs the Virginia Commission on Mental Health Reform.  You’ll also hear the comments of Delegate  Patrick Hope of Arlington, as well as Dr. Peter Sheras, a licensed clinical psychologist.

Download Assemblly Conversations for February 8, 2011 here.

With the regular session of the Virginia General Assembly beyond the half-way mark, Governor Bob McDonnell takes questions from constituents and “Assembly Conversations” host Bob Gibson.

Download Assembly Conversations for February 1, 2011 here.

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton discusses the Commonwealth’s transportation issues. Join host Tom Graham as we explore the many transportation issues now before state lawmakers.

Download Assembly Conversations for January 25, 2011 here.

One week into its 2011 session, the Virginia General Assembly is settling down for business. Long-time Virginia political reporters Bob Lewis of the Associated Press, Chelyen Davis of the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star, and Christina Nuckols discuss the session with host Bob Gibson.

Download Assembly Conversations for January 18, 2011 here

In the first in our new series of “Assembly Conversations,” host Fred Echols previews the 2011 Virginia General Assembly.  He’s joined by former lawmakers Charles Hawkins and Chip Woodrum, as well as public opinion researcher Harry Wilson.

Download Assembly Conversations for January 11, 2011 here