RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - When the 2012 Virginia General Assembly begins on Wednesday in Richmond, there will be a lot of controversial issues for lawmakers to discuss. However, the one issue that appears to be taking precedence right now is power, as is who holds the power at the Virginia State Capitol.
The Virginia Senate is split evenly with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. Democrats are waiting to see if Republicans will take control of senate committees, which is where bills are formed, by using Republican Lt. Governor Bill Bolling’s vote to break any ties in the evenly divided senate.
Democrats insist the Lt. Governor’s vote does not count when it comes to organizing the senate.
On the steps of the state capitol Tuesday, Governor Bob McDonnell made it clear, even though Republicans hold the majority, the party plans to work with Democrats to get the GOP’s agenda through. The agenda includes creating more jobs, reforming the state’s retirement service and improving transportation.
Democrats say they have another agenda. Part of which includes, spending more money than Gov. McDonnell proposed on education.
The balance of power in the senate is not the only split we'll be watching. The redistricting process puts more power in the hands of Northern Virginia legislators.
Northern Virginia legislators have long lamented being the "economic engine" for the rest of the state only to see tax dollars go to Richmond to be divided by the rest of the Commonwealth to fund schools.
CBS 6 will be covering the first day of the 60 day General Assembly session. Look for updates throughout the day, and full coverage on WTVR.com.
We'll also be airing the Governor's State of the Commonwealth address. Look for it at WTVR, or on CBS6 Xtra (digital channel 6.3, Comcast channel 206, FiOS channel 466). Coverage of the speech begins at 7:00pm.
