Virginia General Assembly Convenes, Recesses, Caucuses, Reconvenes, Recesses. . .

I love the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Virginia House of Delegates convened, recessed and reconvened, and caucused some more as it wrestled today with a bill whose passage could signal the beginning of the end of Virginia’s three-month budget crisis.

Finally, in early afternoon, the delegates announced they would vote at 5 p.m. on a bill crafted last week by breakaway Republicans that would raise nearly $1 billion through higher sales and cigarette taxes, as well as other fee changes.

Here’s hoping that Warner and Chichester were unable to bleed off 13 Republicans. Of course, if the message hasn’t gotten through yet, those who vote for the tax hikes will be sure to feel the wrath of voters, to be sure. . .

UPDATE: HB 5018SA passes 52-46. No word yet on the turncoats, but we’ll have a list shortly.