New legislators attend orientation

It's a little like the first day of school. But without the lockers.

The newly elected members of the House of Delegates spending today on Capitol Square learning how to be...well, legislators.

They are being trained in issues, such as payroll, the state budget, bill drafting and ethics. And they will hear from the Democratic and Republican caucus chairmen, Ken Plum and Sam Nixon.

The 100-member House is welcoming 20 new members in Jan. 13, though not quite all of them made it to Richmond today. They will return in early January for a "mock" session.

Republicans picked up six House seats in last month's election and will be at a 12-seat advantage in the chamber if a contested Virginia Beach seat switches to the GOP as expected.