RICHMOND, Va. – Lawmakers began work Wednesday in Richmond with some new colleagues, a new governor on the way and a lengthy discussion about the budget ahead of them. It was day one of 60 for the Virginia General Assembly session.
Democratic Sen. John Edwards, who represents District 21, which covers the city of Roanoke and Giles County, as well as parts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties, has been in the Senate for more than 20 years and said new faces mean a new climate.
“I think it’s going to feel different. The new delegates are going to want to see things happen and they’re raring to go. They’re very excited,” he said.
The most change is in the House of Delegates, in which Republicans now have a two-seat majority over Democrats like Roanoke’s Sam Rasoul.
“I think it’ll definitely feel different. You’ll see new coalitions, a lot of new faces,” Rasoul said.
Republican delegates like Salem’s Greg Habeeb said they welcome the additions from both parties.
“I always get excited when new people come in because they’ve got different backgrounds, different family situations, different jobs. All of that brings in excitement,” Habeeb said.
He said Democrats picking up seats won’t change the environment much because there was already a balance of power.
“I don’t think ultimately it will make any difference at all because we still have very close Republican control of one branch of government and Democratic control of the other branch of government,” he said.
Republican Sen. Steven Newman, who represents District 23, which covers Craig and Botetourt counties, as well as parts of Lynchburg and Bedford, Campbell and Roanoke counties said the House could learn a thing or two from the Senate’s bipartisan attitude.
“We have a very narrow majority in the Senate and we’ve made it work,” he said.
The Republican-majority chambers will have to make it work with Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, who many representatives know well from his time in the General Assembly.
“I do believe that Gov.Northam is a very honorable man and a man that we can work with for the good of Virginia,” Newman said.
Habeen echoed the bipartisan sentiments.
“He’s proven over the years that there are issues we can work with him on,” Habeeb said.
Virginia will swear in Northam Saturday at noon at the Capitol.
The first order of business Wednesday was to install Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, as the new speaker of the House of Delegates, which members did so unanimously.
A major item on the horizon is the budget.
Many people are raising concerns over the two chambers’ ability to reach compromises when the Republicans’ margins of control are razor thin. Habeeb is confident it’ll get done and hopes veterans teach the newcomers.
“The learning curve is real. It is hard. What I hope is that the people who are new here reach out to the people who have been here longer to mentor them, to help them through the process,” Habeeb said.
Outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe will give his final State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday at 7 p.m.