Site Updated for 2012 Session

On this, the first day of 2012, Richmond Sunlight has been refreshed for the 2012 session, which starts in just ten days. Only 169 bills have been filed so far, but they’ll really start pouring in soon. This is a budget session, held on even-numbered years, so this year’s session will run for eight weeks, rather than the six weeks of odd-numbered years.

There’s some added excitement this year, in the form of a divided Senate. The formerly majority-Democratic chamber is now split 20/20 between Democrats and Republicans, with Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling acting as the tie-breaking vote. Short of an unlikely power-sharing agreement, this will result in Republicans taking over the chairmanship of Senate committees, and gives Republicans control of both chambers. With Republican Bob McDonnell as governor, this leaves Republicans able to pass any legislation that they care to, provided that they can keep their Senate caucus in order; a single defection would prevent that. In years past there were centrist Senators who might have been easier to peel off, but with the last two moderates gone this year (William Wampler (R-Bristol) and Fred Quayle (R-Suffolk)), that leaves Democrats with the more difficult task of trying to peel off center-right Republicans like Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake) Jim LeMunyon (R-Oak Hill), surely a more difficult task. Keep an eye on those dynamics this session!