Georgia’s House backed changes to the state budget Wednesday that would add $5 billion in spending, including a burst of roadbuilding, new dental and medical schools, and money to cover bonuses paid to state employees and teachers. “Five billion dollars. You can do a lot of good with $5 billion,” House Appropriations Committee Chair Matt Hatchett, a Dublin Republican, told House members. “Now, not every item in the...

Virginia Democrats are pushing to expand state-funded health insurance to illegal immigrant children with a critical committee vote scheduled for Thursday. The Senate bill, named the “Cover All Kids” Act by proponents, seeks to provide illegal immigrant children access to a “state-funded comprehensive health care coverage” program with eligibility requirements similar to the state’s Medicaid program. The bill specifically targets individuals in the commonwealth under 19 years of age who...