This week marked Crossover, the midway point of every legislative session.  The annual milestone marks the day by which the Senate must have completed work on the bills filed by Senators, while the House needs to have done the same on those filed by Delegates. 

The date is traditionally marked by long sessions and lengthy debates on the floors of both houses of the General Assembly.  This year, though, those sessions were not quite so long, with both houses completing their work well in advance of the assigned deadlines.

Of the nearly 700 bills filed by Senators, more than 400 were approved and sent to the House for consideration.  Remarkably though, the Senate had already considered and approved a significant number of House bills -- passing 77 to be exact -- before Crossover deadline.  This result is due to changes made by the new Republican majority.

During the previous four years under the Democratic majority, a significant number of bills did not emerge from the committee system.  Many bills opposed by the Democratic leadership were never even given a hearing.  Some were never called to be heard by the committees to which they were assigned, while others were sent to "special" subcommittees that never met.

Republican control has brought an end to bills being "bottled up" and refused a hearing in committee.  Standing committees still fulfill their roles as legislative clearinghouses to screen bills, but now those bills are actually heard and voted on in committee.  It turns out the legislative process actually runs more smoothly when extraordinary means are not taken to obstruct legislation.

A wide range of bills dealing with every major issue facing the Commonwealth have been approved by the Senate this session.  To create jobs and strengthen our economy, we've approved measures that provide incentives for investment in small businesses and for the placement of major business facilities in Virginia.

To improve the quality of education and workforce development, the Senate approved legislation streamlining diploma requirements for high school students, making them more rigorous and enhancing their value.  Legislation providing for the accreditation of new virtual schools and allowing more partnerships between local school boards and colleges and universities also won approval.