By Delegate S. Chris Jones

With only one week remaining, we are heading into the final stretch of the 2011 General Assembly session. Delegates and senators are working overtime to ensure the final passage of their bills through both chambers.

Sometimes it is as easy as simply accepting changes made by the other chamber, or it can be as difficult as having a conference committee meet to work out a compromise version of the bill that suits both chambers.

As of this writing, nearly 400 Senate and House Bills have passed both chambers and have been sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk for his approval.

The annual budget process began when the House and Senate passed their versions of amendments to the budget introduced by the Governor. The House budget is fiscally responsible, ensuring a structurally balanced budget, while the Senate budget includes more debt and does not address the structural imbalance.

These differing versions are currently being debated by the budget conference committee. I have the opportunity to serve as a House budget conferee and will be working with my colleagues over the next several days to achieve a balanced budget acceptable not only to the members of the House and Senate, but to the citizens of our commonwealth.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your delegate. I welcome your comments and appreciate your continued support. Feel free to contact me either via e-mail at delcjones@house.virginia.gov or call me directly in Richmond at 804-698-1076.

S. Chris Jones, R-76^th, is the delegate serving most of Suffolk in the Virginia General Assembly.