Budget negotiations to continue in Virginia

Leaders of the Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly said Wednesday that they reached a compromise with Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to extend negotiations over the state budget to avoid gridlock. The extension was made in an effort to reduce tensions surrounding the negotiations. Youngkin and Assembly Democrats are at odds over some portions of the spending plan. Wednesday, lawmakers used a procedural maneuver to effectively scrap the current budget bill so they can start over with House Speaker Don Scott said the goal is to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol in May for a vote on a compromise spending plan with a more conciliatory tone. Virginia’s reconvened sessions can last up to 10 days but usually only last a day.