Major Issues Facing the Legislature

Here is a list of some key issues facing the Virginia General Assembly this year:

Abusive-Driver Fees Lawmakers will consider changing or eliminating the fees targeting drivers convicted of serious offenses.

Budget Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has introduced a two-year, $78 billion spending plan that increases money for education, health care and environmental protection.

Car Inspections Kaine is recommending that the state save money by requiring vehicle inspections every two years, instead of annually.

Education Lawmakers are planning to adjust the formula that determines how much state aid goes to school districts. Fairfax County area lawmakers are trying to increase aid. Kaine also wants to enroll an additional 7,000 low-income children in pre-kindergarten.

Fee Increases To help address the slower growth in tax revenue, Kaine is proposing a $10 increase in the $20 driver's license renewal fee and higher charges for well and septic tank permits.

Gun Control Lawmakers will consider closing a loophole that allows unlicensed gun dealers or people making one-on-one sales, as is done at gun shows, to sell guns without conducting background checks.

Health Care Kaine is proposing to spend more on programs that subsidize health insurance for Virginians, including expanded state-funded prenatal coverage to several hundred poor women. He also wants to help small businesses extend subsidized health insurance to 5,000 of the estimated 1 million uninsured Virginians.

Higher Education The governor has proposed borrowing $1.6 billion for 75 construction projects at colleges and universities.

Identity Theft Kaine wants to require companies to notify consumers if their Social Security numbers or other personal information is accidentally made public.

Illegal Immigration Republicans will push to prohibit colleges and universities from accepting illegal immigrants, require jails to check the immigration status of detainees and crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Mental Health Kaine is seeking to pump $42 million into Virginia's mental health system, which will be the focus of legislative reform after the Virginia Tech killings.

Payday Lending Lawmakers will consider imposing stiffer regulations on payday lenders.

Sexual and Domestic Abuse The governor wants to toughen laws against sexual and domestic abuse and increase money for new and existing programs to prevent similar types of violence.

Smoking in Restaurants The General Assembly will again take up restricting smoking in restaurants.

Texting While Driving Del. James M. Scott (D-Fairfax) has proposed making it illegal for people to send text messages while driving.

Uranium Lawmakers are planning to consider making it legal to dig for uranium, clearing the way for a Pittsylvania County landowner to mine what is believed to be the nation's largest uranium deposit.

Virginia Tech Victims' Fund Discussions over appropriate state compensation for families of the Virginia Tech massacre victims continue.

Veterans Programs Some lawmakers want to improve benefits for war veterans, including allowing them to obtain a state employee life insurance policy.