Gov. Bob McDonnell holds a news conference to discuss the state budget and updated revenue projections.
Autism coverage bill clears state Senate
Legislation requiring health insurance companies to pay for treatment of children with autism has cleared the Virginia Senate, but faces bleak prospects in the House of Delegates.
Senate Bill 464, by Sen. Janet D. Howell, was approved 27-13, yesterday after an emotional debate.
"These families and these children are desperate for services that we don't provide them," Howell said in a statement. "These kids truly need our help and this limited bill will give them some needed assistance."
Opponents said the legislation would drive up insurance rates for employers and consumers — a theme likely to be pressed in the House, which has previously rejected such a measure.
Senate Oks change in VITA governance
The Virginia Senate is falling in line behind a measure giving the governor a direct say in the state's computer bureaucracy and its stormy relationship with contractor Northrop Grumman.
Senate Bill 236, approved 40-0 yesterday is sponsored by Sens. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax; Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico, and Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover.
Similar to House-passed legislation, the Senate bill shifts to the governor from an oversight board the power to hire and fire the head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.
House backs lower new-hire benefits
The House of Delegates passed 80-19 a bill that would lower retirement benefits for state workers hired after July 1.
Del. Lacey E. Putney, I-Bedford, the chief sponsor, said House Bill 1189 would save $3 billion a year after 10 years, including $1.8 billion for local governments. The bill is needed, he said, to preserve future retirement benefits for state workers.
Del. Kenneth R. Plum, D-Fairfax, argued that the measure would discourage people from going to work for the state. By reducing benefits, it amounts to a tax increase, Plum said.
But Del. Johnny S. Joannou, D-Portsmouth, said "we don't have the money. We have no choice and it hurts."
Lawmakers OK plate on abortion rights
By a vote of 77-22, delegates passed House Bill 1108 authorizing a new license plate, "Trust Women/Respect Choice."
But a key provision that would have allowed the funds raised to go to Planned Parenthood was deleted.
The state Senate yesterday voted 26-8 to approve an omnibus license plate bill that includes the abortion rights slogan.
Senate Bill 18, sponsored by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Norfolk, survived an attempt on the Senate floor by Sen. Mark D. Obenshain to separate the abortion-rights plate from the package of license plates that had passed the Senate Transportation Committee earlier this month.
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