Virginia Lawmakers Expect Final Agreement on Budget Cuts

Negotiations toward a bare-bones state budget have ended with a final vote on the two-year spending plan set for Sunday evening.

A dozen House and Senate members have resolved final differences over public education and state-supported health care and revenue sources.

House and Senate leaders expected final handshakes and signatures on a compromise that the House and Senate will consider in a late afternoon Sunday session, bringing the session to a close a day later than lawmakers planned.

Majority Leader Dick Saslaw planned to convene the Senate at 5 p.m. Sunday, allowing a vote after members are briefed on recommended changes.

Any compromise will contain draconian reductions, ensuring thousands of governmental layoffs and pressure on local governments to boost their taxes to preserve some services.

Jonathan Wilson reports...