RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia House Republicans want to prioritize funding for two new nursing homes for veterans with money originally meant to renovate the state Capitol complex.
House Majority Leader Kirk Cox introduced legislation Monday to spend $57 million originally earmarked for a Capitol complex makeover on two veterans care centers in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. The care centers would still need federal funding before they are built.
Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe blocked a planned $300 million Capitol complex renovation earlier this summer, saying the state had more pressing needs.
Monday was the first day to pre-file legislation for the 2015 legislative session. House Republicans also introduced legislation that would codify into law a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibits police from searching cell phones without a warrant.
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