RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia lawmakers finished their work for the 2017 legislative session over the weekend, a six week sprint that saw bipartisan cooperation on some issues like treating opioid addiction, but plenty of squabbles on social issues like abortion and gun issues.
The General Assembly adjourned after lawmakers gave final approval to the budget bill, the biggest task of this year’s session. The plan includes significant pay increases for state police and other law enforcement officers, as well as a 3 percent across-the-board raises for state employees and the state’s share of a 2 percent raises for teachers. The budget does not include tax increases.
The state had to scrap planned raises last year because of lower-than-expected tax revenues, but those revenues have increased in recent months. Lawmakers said they made employee compensation and funding mental health care a priority this year.
Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, has said he’s generally happy with the budget lawmakers came up with.
Lawmakers also moved quickly to do Virginia’s part in establishing an independent oversight authority for the beleaguered Washington-area Metro system. They also grappled with how best to dispose of the leftover waste product that comes from burning coal.
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