Markus Schmidt

He vowed to cut tax increases from the spending plan and made it clear he wants to see the proposed sports arena in Alexandria.

The budget includes more than $2.5 billion in new funding for K-12 public education, a 3% salary increase for teachers and state employees, $2.5 million for a proposed inland port and $70 million for an Interstate 81 widening project.

Here’s a rundown of some of the bills drafted this year by lawmakers from Southwest and Southside Virginia. 

Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas declares “I’m a roadblock” to a state role in the proposed Alexandria project.

The former president comfortably defeated Nikki Haley, the only other candidate among the six Republicans on the ballot still in the race.

The speaker’s move is in stark contrast to the partisan shakeup the last time Democrats were in charge.

Only two Republicans voted in favor of legislation that would create an adult-use marketplace for marijuana products in Virginia — Del. Chris Obenshain and state Sen. Christie New Craig.

The poll shows Haley would beat Biden. About 53% of Virginians approve of the way Gov. Glenn Youngkin is handling his job.

The House and Senate are nearly $1 billion apart on school funding.

At issue was a 2019 change in how the state defines cigarettes. The proposed fix has cleared the House and Senate and is now headed to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.