McDonnell meets with budget negotiators, again

Since enduring initial criticism over not submitted budget amendments right after taking office, Gov. Bob McDonnell has worked to have an active hand in budget deliberations between the House of Delegates and Senate by calling the sides together for several meetings.

His latest sit-down with budget conferees occurred Wednesday afternoon at the governor's offices in the State Capitol, several sources said.

So far this year, the House and Senate conferees haven't met without being called to the table by the governor, though House officials say they've tried for days to schedule something with their Senate counterparts.

All that will change Thursday evening at 5 p.m. when the two sides gather for their first independent discussion. And another meeting is slated for Friday, sources said.

-- Julian Walker

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