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Virginia Responds to the Supreme Court

By Tom Graham

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wmra/local-wmra-855921.mp3

Richmond, VA – A new law governing a critical aspect of criminal court procedure has been approved by Virginia's General Assembly.

The State Senate and House of Delegates went into an unusual special session Wednesday, August 19 to enact the new measure.

The emergency session was in response to a recent US Supreme Court decision governing when and how scientific or forensic evidence can be submitted in a criminal trial.

Also, prior to the special session, Governor Kaine revealed that the economic down turn has resulted in further erosion of state revenues.

The Governor says that during the current fiscal year, he now expects an additional shortfall of 1.2 billion dollars. This is on top of previous budget reductions.

The Governor has not yet announced further program cuts. But such cuts could be coming as soon as sometime early in September.