RICHMOND -- Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) is stranded in Italy because of the ash from an Icelandic volcano that has crippled air traffic across much of Europe and will probably be unable to preside over the state Senate when the General Assembly returns for a one-day session Wednesday.
Bolling's office has consulted with United Airlines officials, the National Guard, the Virginia Department of Aviation and charter companies. "It's a very real possibility he will not be back'' for the session, Marcus said.
The General Assembly will return to the state Capitol for the one-day session to consider Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell's (R) proposed amendments to 123 bills, including the state budget.
Notably, senators will decide whether to accept an amendment to the state budget that would restrict funding for abortions to those performed in instances of rape or incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. Virginia also allows funding when the health of the mother is in danger or when the baby will be born seriously deformed.
Abortion votes are always tight in the Senate. If Bolling were present and the vote were tied, he would cast the deciding vote on behalf of the Republican governor's initiative. If Bolling is absent, the proposed abortion restriction will flounder in case of a tie.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041904700.html