Budget standoffs are nothing new in Virginia politics, and recent years have seen a number of disagreements that extend all the way to, and sometimes even past, the deadline of the new fiscal year – beginning on July 1st.

“We need to make sure we put our universities on solid footing, a solid foundation. I think this is really going to help,” Del. Terry Kilgore said.

Lawmakers were unable to overturn a veto from the governor on a bill that might have helped school construction.

Earlier this month, the Virginia Department of Corrections used a specially trained dog to try and stop prisoners who were attacking another inmate. Those prisoners allegedly killed the dog, and the state organized an elaborate memorial service for him. Now, Virginia’s largest animal rights group is calling on the Department of Corrections and on police departments statewide to stop using dogs in dangerous situations.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a decision about what happens with slot-machine style machines in convenience stores and truck stops.

“We may have different ways we thought we’d get there, but now we’re going to work towards something that will keep the temperature down a bit,” Sen. Louise Lucas said Wednesday.

Governor Youngkin has proposed more than 200 amendments to the state budget, and one of them would delay the implementation of a ban on single-use plastics. As Sandy Hausman reports, plastic and foam containers are already causing harm to wildlife and may also threaten human health.

The move marks a change in course from what had been expected as recently as Tuesday and was made in an effort to reduce the tension surrounding the budget negotiations, top leaders said

Many Virginians who live in rural communities have a local fire and rescue department that’s staffed entirely by volunteers. One big challenge for many of them is how to pay for equipment. At Virginia’s highest elevation, the Mount Rogers Fire and Rescue Squad has found creative ways to fundraise.

All 140 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate will be back in Richmond Wednesday. They'll take action on all the governor's amendments, including a historic number of budget amendments.