Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The 2022 session of the General Assembly begins Wednesday. The session will bring with it split control of the Assembly, with a Republican-run House of Delegates, and a Democratic-run State Senate.
James Madison University Political Science Professor Robert Roberts says he believes the budget will be the big issue this session. Governor Ralph Northam (D) proposed a great deal of spending on his way out of office, and Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) is looking more for tax cuts. A split Assembly will have to come to agreement on that bill.
Roberts also believes abortion could prove to be a big issue, especially with a looming Supreme Court ruling. Roberts says any bill restricting abortion would pass the House, and Governor-elect Youngkin would only need to get one Democratic Senator (possibly Sen. Joe Morrissey) to switch to get a bill through. The Senate is 21-19 Democrats, with Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears (R) providing the tie-breaking vote.
