RICHMOND — The work of the General Assembly won praise from the new speaker of the House, William Howell, R-Stafford.

"From a public policy point of view, I think it's been a good session," Howell said. "The Legislature dealt with a broad range of issues and for the most part dealt with them successfully."

He said the Republicans achieved many of their goals and maintained a commitment to government's "core responsibilities," which Howell defined as education, public safety, preservation of the safety net for the needy and creation of economic growth.

For example, Howell said the General Assembly maintained funding for public schools.

In the realm of public safety, a new law will keep convicted violent sexual predators off streets after their imprisonment through civil commitment at a secure treatment facility.

Howell expressed satisfaction that state government became more streamlined and focused because of Virginia's tight budget situation.

In particular, he praised a bill that allows auto dealerships to handle all titling, registration and licensing of car purchases. The legislation will remove 1.2 million transactions from the Department of Motor Vehicles and save the state $2 million.

The new speaker said the Assembly passed important legislation to spur economic growth, such as elimination of the estate tax, which he called a "job killer."

"Its elimination creates an environment conducive to economic growth," Howell said. "It sets a good tone. It keeps businesses we have today and encourages new businesses in the future."

In general, Howell praised the Assembly's record on taxation. He said he was glad that legislators resisted passing any new taxes.

"It's just bad economics," he said. "When people are struggling to make ends meet, it's counterproductive to take it (money) away to give it to the government."

Howell added that Virginia could make it through the budget problems forecasted for the next few years without raising new taxes.

"As we grow out of this recession — and we will — the economy will grow further and faster without new taxes," he said. "The economy's going to grow us out of it like it did in the 1990s."

Howell also praised the passage of anti-abortion legislation.

"I think they'll obviously be helpful," he said of bills requiring parental consent for a minor's abortion and banning a procedure that opponents call partial-birth infanticide.

Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, vetoed a ban on late-term abortion last year.

Howell said he thinks that this year's bill will withstand a gubernatorial veto and legal challenges that similar bills in other states have raised.

This was Howell's first session to serve as speaker. Fellow Republicans elevated him to the office in January. The former speaker, Vance Wilkins, resigned after admitting he paid a young woman to settle sexual-harassment claims.

Howell said he was "honored" at being chosen to serve as speaker, one of the most powerful posts in Virginia government.