The 2011 Session of the Virginia General Assembly will convene in the historic Virginia Capitol on Wednesday, January 12, and will run for 46 days. Citizen are encouraged to participate in the legislative process. Below are the many ways to get involved:

• Sit in the Chamber Gallery to watch the legislators conduct the people's business - each chamber seats 99 persons on a first-come, first-served basis. The Session can be viewed live in any of the Capitol or General Assembly Building committee rooms. Or, watch or listen to the action live if you can't come to the Capitol.
• Identify your delegate and senator and then contact him or her.
• Review tips on contacting your legislator
• Attend a committee meeting or request an opportunity to testify.
• Track the progress of up to five bills of interest to you. Register for this free service.
• Read a guide on how to track a bill or find specific bills

Please see the full calendar of upcoming activities that are open to the general public or review Governor McDonnel's proposed budget amendments.

2011 Session of the Virginia General Assembly Budget Amendments

For more information, visit:

• Virginia State Capitol - provides general information about the State Capital as well as the General Assembly and a live webcam.
• VCU's Capital News Service - pairs VCU students with local news organizations and interest groups for up-to-the-minute coverage of the 2011 General Assembly (sign up for email updates to get the latest news).
• Richmond Sunlight - tracks the Virginia General Assembly, providing comprehensive listings of the introduced bills by House or Senate or by interest area.
• Virginia Public Access Project provides insight to political funding and expenditures and lobbyist registration.
• Virginia Division of Legislative Services - provides session highlights, session summaries, committee reports and much more.
• ConnectRichmond Advocacy and Activism - offers advocacy resources for nonprofits and interest groups.
• VANNO Policy & Advocacy - offers policy and advocacy information for Virginia nonprofits.

Issue-specific advocacy groups:

• Senior Connections - Advocate with SeniorConnections & Virginia Association of Area Agenices on Aging to help restore upcoming Medicaids cuts.
•  VAECE - Advocating to stop cuts to Early Childhood Education/ Pre K- Smart Beginings Programs.
• ARC of Virginia - Advocates on behalf of the developmentally disabled and their families.
• Celebrate MLK Day by telling your legislators what you expect the 2011 General Assmebly.  Conservation Lobby Day will be held Monday January 17 at Richmond's CenterStage 
• Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations has developed a list of bills to follow regarding immigrant rights.
• Richmond Sunlight offers a listing of organizations and interest groups following specific pieces of legislation known as photosynthesis portfolios.
• Equality Virginia will hold a lobby day on January 19th. to address the many bills concerning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

For more information about the General Assembly or visiting the State Capital building please call the House Information & Public Relations Office toll free at 1-877-391- FACT or (3228)