The 2006 General Assembly is now in session
Week 9 Update—March 13, 2006
The House and Senate made fairly quick work of legislation on their respective floors last week, only to be stalled by budget talks that yielded no compromise and forced the legislature to face a special session for the third time in six years. The General Assembly adjourned without approving a state budget for fiscal years 2007 and 2008, but has been called back into special session on the budget beginning March 27. The legislature also will assemble on April 19 for its annual reconvened session to consider vetoes and amendments to bills proposed by the governor.
The Budget
The General Assembly spent a good deal of Saturday haggling over its next steps for resolving the budget stalemate. Finally, the House and Senate adjourned just after 6 p.m., having approved SJR 306 requesting that Governor Tim Kaine call a special session. The governor then announced a special session, to commence on Monday, March 27, to address the budget crisis.
In his message calling for the special session, the governor urged lawmakers to “use the two-week break to return to their districts to discuss the issue with local government officials, business leaders, teachers, public safety personnel, health care providers, and other working Virginians.” He also noted, “We must continue to work to find dedicated funding sources for a statewide transportation program that protects public education, public safety, and public health programs.
Studies
The legislature has approved several studies of interest to the education community. HJR 25 establishes a joint subcommittee to study science, math and technology education at the elementary, secondary and undergraduate levels. HJR 96 and SJR 125 encourage various state agencies to take actions to improve the education and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. HJR 130 encourages the Department of Education (DOE) to collect data and monitor information about high school dropout and graduation rates in Virginia. SJR 171 requests the Board of Education (BOE) to conduct a survey of family life education programs in Virginia’s public schools.
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