Time Runs Low for Va. Legislators

Budget Agreement Remains Elusive

RICHMOND, March 7 -- Virginia House and Senate leaders made little progress Friday toward approving a state budget, raising the possibility of the fourth extended legislative session in five years.

Saturday is the scheduled end of a 60-day legislative session that has been marred by partisanship between the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate. But before they can adjourn, House and Senate budget negotiators have to agree on a two-year, $77 billion spending plan, and both chambers must vote on it.

If a budget deal isn't reached by midnight, legislators could decide to work through the weekend or to take a few days off and return to finish their work later in the month.

The General Assembly's work on the budget is in addition to last-minute efforts by legislators to see if they can agree on a fix to the state's 2007 transportation bill, necessitated by a state Supreme Court ruling Feb. 29 that regional taxing authorities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are unconstitutional.

On Friday, House Republicans rejected an offer from Senate Democrats for statewide tax increases to raise money to maintain roads. House Republicans said they want to focus on salvaging the regional panels; Senate Democrats said a statewide solution for transportation is also needed.

Since both sides have indicated it may take a special session this spring to resolve the transportation standoff, the budget deliberations have taken center stage.

But with each passing minute Friday, the odds of an extended session to deal with the budget increased. Negotiators were deadlocked over spending priorities, with education, human services and criminal justice programs the primary points of contention.

"I don't know how we physically can get out on time," Del. Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News), vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said early Friday evening. "We have only agreed to seven or eight items out there."

Budget showdowns have become relatively routine in Richmond this decade.

In 2004, a fierce battle over former governor Mark R. Warner's plan to raise taxes resulted in a months-long extended session. The session was lengthened by one day in 2005.

A year later, a dispute between Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and the Republican-controlled House over higher taxes for transportation went so long it almost led to a government shutdown.

But this year's possible impasse would be different because it would not be caused by a debate over taxes. Lawmakers may simply run out of time to complete their work.