Organizing for America, the grass-roots organization set up by the Democratic National Committee and President Barack Obama, called on Congress yesterday to pass a comprehensive health-care bill. At the Fan Free Clinic in Richmond, Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, said too many people either lack health insurance or pay too much for it.

A week ago, the General Assembly took final action on amendments to the state’s budget for the next 21 months. Like many households, the budget reflects a significant decline in spending money—7.2 percent less than a year ago. The governor and General Assembly have less general fund revenue to spend today than they did three years ago.

The week before last, the House of Delegates passed its amendment to the biennial budget, but was missing two key pieces of information: how January revenue numbers would impact the budget shortfall and how much money Virginia would gain as a result of the federal stimulus bill. Some of that information has now come to light, and it contains both good and bad news.

Last week, the House of Delegates voted on its version of amendments to the 2008-2010 budget. The House budget adopted many of Gov. Tim Kaine’s strategies and priorities for the commonwealth in this difficult recessionary time. In particular, the House budget seeks to protect teachers in the classroom, services to our most vulnerable citizens, and the environment.

This year, several bills have been introduced to cap enrollment of out-of-state students in Virginia colleges and universities. The patrons have introduced these bills in response to cases where Virginia high school students who have a 4.0 grade point average cannot get in to their first-choice university. This is a particularly sensitive subject with respect to our “flagship” universities—the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William and Mary.

We don’t need the news to know the economy is the No. 1 thing on everyone’s minds. We all know someone who has been laid off. We all have seen foreclosure signs in our neighborhoods. We all have cut back on spending, putting off that family vacation or purchase of something we want, but don’t need. And we all know that things are likely to get worse before they get better. Virginians are worried, but also hopeful and resolved to weather this economic storm.

The housing collapse has generated both pain and confusion. The causes of the crisis are many and varied. State-sponsored remedies remain vague and, so far, largely ineffective. The functions of the market—lower housing prices, declining mortgage rates, fewer new homes—will gradually repair the damage, and there are fleeting hints of home improvements in recent weeks. Inventories have finally started to shrink and cheaper prices are beginning to attract bargain hunters. Still, the path to full recovery appears to be long and winding.