Senate passes budget on fourth attempt

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - The Virginia Senate passed the $85 billion two-year state budget proposal.

The senate voted 21-19 in favor of approval Wednesday afternoon. It was their fourth vote on the spending plan. All 20 Republicans, plus Sen. Charles Colgan (D-Manassas) comprised the 21 votes in favor. Colgan was the only Senator to change his vote after previously voting against the budget.

Governor Bob McDonnell thanked the General Assembly and particularly Sen. Colgan for their work in passing the budget. He also blamed other Senate Democrats for the delay in passing the plan.

"Unfortunately, some Senate Democrats spent the session seeking multiple excuses to vote against the budget, going from committee assignments to education and healthcare funding and finally, yesterday and today, to one earmark for one rail project in one district," McDonnell wrote in a media release. "I thank the Republican and Democratic members who worked together to make this happen. And, again, I thank Senator Chuck Colgan for his leadership today. He put policy ahead of politics. I look forward to conducting an expedited comprehensive review of this final document in the weeks ahead, and making amendments as may be necessary."

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