January 6, 2013

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - In two days, Virginia's General Assembly returns to work on a to-do list that could revise the taxes we pay for building and repairing roads, pay teachers more but make it easier to fire them, and determine if radioactive metal will be unearthed from Southside Virginia.

Those weighty issues will share legislators' time and patience with another round of bills that would restrict access to abortion and contraceptives, require public high schools to let home-schoolers play on their sports teams and further limit the list of acceptable voter identification.

The 2013 legislature convenes Wednesday against the backdrop of an election year in which Republicans hope to retain their grip on the governor's office and two other statewide posts, and an overwhelming House of Delegates majority.