Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling might be stranded in Florence, Italy, and unable to make it back to the U.S. in time to preside over the Virginia Senate Wednesday, because of the volcanic ash cloud.
Bolling is in Florence to participate in an economic development forum sponsored by the city of Florence and James Madison University, which has a presence in Florence.
Aide J. Randy Marcus said Bolling's commercial flight Tuesday out of Florence was canceled, as was a connecting flight through Frankfurt, Germany.
Bolling was looking to book a flight out of southern Italy, where the airports are open, but wasn't sure he could do so, Marcus said.
He has asked the help of Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., and Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th, to see whether he could find a military flight, but thus far to no avail, Marcus said. He is not seeking to bump anyone, he added.
The General Assembly returns to Richmond at noon Wednesday for the annual reconvened session, where it will consider amendments submitted by Gov. Bob McDonnell. As lieutenant governor, Bolling is supposed to preside over the Senate. If he doesn't make it, the president pro tempore, Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas, will preside.
Colgan and McDonnell have been notified.
At present the earliest time Bolling can get a flight back to the states is Saturday, Marcus said.
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