RICHMOND — In the 2009 General Assembly session, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine didn’t get no-excuse early voting, a closed “gun-show loophole” or “green” construction requirements in local government buildings.

RICHMOND - A Senate committee has killed a bill that aimed to set up a panel of scientific experts - including representatives of the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech - to identify and finance renewable energy research projects around Virginia.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says Virginia may not have to cut its budget any further, thanks to a rich uncle in Washington.

RICHMOND - Tuition assistance would continue for some graduate students in private schools if an amended version of the state budget wins approval in the General Assembly.

Balancing Virginia’s recession-wracked budget is coming down to hurry up and wait.

Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine said amendments that substantially diluted a compromise to sharply curb smoking in Virginia restaurants breached a deal he made with House Republican leaders.

That’s what happened Monday in Richmond at the Executive Mansion on Capitol Square. None of Virginia’s five Republicans in the House of Representatives showed to chat with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who used the meeting to discuss the economy and what the federal stimulus package will mean for the state.

In a sign of how vilified smoking has become, lawmakers in Virginia — where the world’s largest cigarette factory churns out Marlboros — passed curbs on smoking in restaurants Monday.

Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William attempted to maneuver around the committee system after the bill stalled in a House Commerce and Labor subcommittee.

None of Virginia’s five Republicans in the House of Representatives showed up at a meeting that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine called to discuss the economy and what the anticipated federal stimulus package will mean for the state.

Virginia lawmakers are rewriting Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s share-the-pain budget-balancing plan, relying—in part—on money they don’t have.

The legislation will ban smoking in nearly all restaurants across the commonwealth

Senators rejected the bill on Tuesday, but then voted to reconsider it a day later. Without discussion, they killed the bill on a 19-21 vote on Wednesday.

Former Danville Mayor F. Seward Anderson has announced plans to challenge Delegate Danny Marshall, R-Danville, in this year’s election for his House seat in the General Assembly.

  The state Senate on an 18-22 vote rejected the bill Tuesday.