The General Assembly has granted state recognition to three more Native American tribes in Virginia. This will allow the tribes to petition for return of their ancestral remains from the Smithsonian Institution. Moreover, it will help the Indians preserve their heritage and inform the public of the tribes’ importance in Virginia’s history.

Twenty-five state legislators – about one of every six – attended the University of Virginia. U.Va. has a bigger delegation at the Capitol than any other college or university, according to a Capital News Service analysis of legislators’ alma maters. The Cavaliers easily outdistanced the two runners-up – Virginia Tech (with 17 legislators) and the University of Richmond (16).

House and Senate negotiators next week will try to work out the differences in the state budgets passed by their respective chambers to close a $4 billion shortfall.

The House of Delegates and the Senate approved their budget bills on Thursday. The Democrat-led Senate passed its budget on a 30-10 vote, with the support of nine Republicans. The Republican-led House approved its budget on a 61-38 vote, with no Democrats supporting it.

About 100 people gathered around the Bell Tower at Capitol Square today to urge legislators to move forward with health-care reform.

“We’re here to send a message as clearly as possible that people are suffering, people are dying, for lack of coverage,” said John Lindsay of the Virginia Organizing Project, which organized the rally. “The consequences are serious and grievous to real people who are suffering every day.”

After four major snowstorms and many school cancellations, Virginia legislators are discussing a statewide proposal to shorten the school year – so students don’t have to make up so many missed classes.

The Women’s Legislative Roundtable has been meeting every Wednesday since 1981 to discuss legislation and issues affecting women in Virginia. But the meetings aren’t just for women – men can attend, too.

The Patawomeck Indians, who are seeking state recognition, got a boost from their most famous member: entertainer Wayne Newton. The Las Vegas icon attended a legislative hearing and testified in support of a resolution to recognize the tribe.

Here are the

 over the past week. Headlines include: “House OK’s Abortion Clinic Regulation” … “Senate Makes Absentee Voting Easier” … “House Panel Rejects Marijuana Bills” … ” Police Protest Proposed Budget Cuts” … “Seat-Belt Bill ‘Clicks’ With Senate.”