Before adjourning, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly agreed unanimously on a state budget for the first time in decades. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the process  involved making compromises.

After a lengthy debate in the Senate and a rare tie-breaking vote by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia is on track to become the first state to regulate clinics that perform first-trimester abortions.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie Mcneil has more from the State Capitol.

Before the Virginia General Assembly reconvenes to address state legislative and Congressional redistricting, the rules must be set for how the lines will be drawn and submitted to the Department of Justice.  The Joint Reapportionment Committee met to begin developing those rules, and some members are asking how to define the term “minorities” and how voting habits should affect the process.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the State Capitol.

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State lawmakers are honoring an obscure Virginia woman who launched a scientific revolution—but never knew it.  All of the members of the General Assembly signed a resolution paying tribute to Henrietta Lacks …whose cells were used by researchers to develop the polio vaccine and make other significant discoveries.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the Capitol.

House of Delegates and Senate budget negotiators have been meeting to discuss their competing state spending plans…which feature some stark differences in education, transportation, state pension, and health care funding.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the conferees say progress in reconciling their differences is slow.

After numerous sessions of trying to get it passed, a bill to permit an option of castration for chronically violent sex offenders is finally moving forward, and the bill’s sponsor couldn’t be happier. The language in the bill is watered down from its original version, but as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it could ultimately change how Virginia treats those with ongoing predatory traits.

A bill that stiffens penalties for underage drinking and driving-which could impose up to a year in jail for the offense-has sailed through both chambers of the General Assembly and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the law isn’t as tough on teens as some who opposed it thought.

A tax bill that originated in the House of Delegates and has passed overwhelmingly in the Senate may keep struggling Virginia businesses from going under once the Governor signs it.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

Virginia Senators have been debating a proposed state constitutional amendment that would define which private property can be taken by a government … and the conditions that determine how much compensation the property-owner should be paid.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, defining a right to protection against eminent domain is not as easy as it seems.

Virginia teachers continue their call to state lawmakers– urging them to restore more funding to the public schools’ budget.  The educators say more than 4,000 teaching jobs have been lost and class sizes are increasing.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, they’re calling on the General Assembly to “repair the damage.”

The state’s first African- American Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court continues to make history days after his sudden passing at a relatively young age.  Leroy Hassell is the first person to lie in state at the State Capitol rotunda since Speaker A.L. Philpott in 1991 … and the first African-American ever to receive that honor.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the Capitol. 

While there are differences between the House of Delegates and Senate versions of the budget, members from both chambers say significant compromises will be needed if the legislature is to adjourn with a balanced proposal by the end of its six week session. But, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, some lawmakers say philosophical differences about what services should be cut will likely be a sticking point during negotiations.

Each state has a map with imaginary lines of districts represented by members of Congress and state lawmakers … and every 10 years those lines are redrawn.  However, the voters who are represented are NOT responsible for that process.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, there’s a bipartisan effort in the Commonwealth that shifts the responsibility back to the voters … to try to prevent “Gerrymandering.”

The Washington-based transportation research group TRIP has named the 50 transportation projects most important to Virginia’s economic growth. Five of the top 10 are in Northern Virginia; four are in Hampton Roads; and one runs through the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia Public Radio’s Tim Thornton reports.

Police could pull over drivers for a primary offense of texting on mobile devices under legislation that has passed the Virginia Senate.  The legislators also toughened a similar law for younger teens who talk on a cell phone while driving.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the State Capitol.  

For 11 years, child advocates have asked the General Assembly to include coverage for children with autism in Virginia’s list of mandated health insurance benefits.  The state Senate has moved that goal forward by giving preliminary approval to legislation that would do just that.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the State Capitol.

Gun-control advocates have scored a victory at this year’s General Assembly session with the defeat of a bill that was a backdoor effort to allow guns on college campuses.  The bill would have prohibited most Virginia agencies from having policies that were not expressly authorized by state law.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the Capitol.

A coalition of more than 25 states and historic and environmental groups is celebrating a victory. Virginia Public Radio’s  Sandy Hausman reports on a court ruling that could save 100 million acres from development.

Both sides of the partisan aisle are trying to score political points over Governor McDonnell’s plan to raise revenue for transportation, which included floating federal Garvey bonds and accelerating previously authorized state bonds. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, that prompted extended debate in the House of Delegates.

Two bills that would have revamped Virginia’s underfunded retirement system have been killed in the state Senate Finance Committee . . . and the legislative body has instead decided to solicit more public input and study potential solutions. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from Richmond.

The House of Delegates has advanced legislation to overhaul Virginia’s higher education system and the way that public colleges and universities are funded.  The bill aims to increase affordability and access to Virginia students—to pave the way for awarding 100,000 additional degrees over 15 years.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the State Capitol.