Will Virginia continue to raise the minimum wage?

Will the sale of marijuana through retail outlets gain approval?

Will a ban on “skill” games be replaced by a taxing regime that would allow the machines to be turned on once more in bars and retail stores?

Will gun owners be held criminally responsible if a minor takes their weapon and shoots someone?

Those are among the wide range of policy issues that will be addressed at the upcoming 60-day General Assembly session that will open next Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the State Capitol in Downtown.

The November elections ushered in big changes in the membership and leadership.

The 100-member House will have 31 new members while the 40-member Senate will have 17 new people. Democrats also will be more prominent.

The party’s candidates won 51 seats in the House to secure a majority and enable the historic elevation of Portsmouth Delegate Don Scott to the top post of speaker and be the first Black person to reach that leadership pinnacle.

In the Senate, Democrats retained their 21-19 edge over Republicans.

Black legislators also will be more prominent, with a record 31 having won seats. The Senate will have seven Black members for the first time, including five women and two men.

The House will have 23 Black members, including 13 women and 10 men. Twenty-two will be Democrats, with Delegate A.C. Cordoza being the lone Republican.

Given the narrow Democratic margin in both houses and with Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin holding the veto pen, commentators are suggesting that the only legislation that will pass will be items on which have bipartisan support.

Gov. Youngkin is considered likely to win on his proposals to boosting spending on child care and mental health, but is also rated as likely to lose on his plan to cut income taxes and raise the sales tax.

Democratic leaders have already called the plan a non-starter it would boost the taxes low-income people pay on purchases while reducing the income tax payments for the well-heeled.

Another issue that could be settle is the location of the state’s fifth casino, given Richmond voters’ rejection of a plan to build one in the city. Petersburg is hoping to win out, but the Cockade City will face competition from Northern Virginia, according to introduced legislation.