RICHMOND — Social issues took equal prominence with economic ones in an General Assembly session many predicted would be dominated by the state's budget crisis.

Lawmakers spent considerable time and energy debating abortion, illegal immigration, handgun ownership and the fitness of judges. Emerging from the dust Saturday, they agreed on one thing: This was one of the most divisive legislative sessions in memory.

"The level of partisanship is higher," said Delegate Ward L. Armstrong, D-Martinsville, a member since 1992. "The attitude and tone of the session had a sharper edge."

Delegate Viola O. Baskerville, D-Richmond, agreed. "This is a very polarized session. It's because of the loss of a lot of centrist legislators."

The session began with Democratic Gov. Mark Warner encouraging bipartisanship and attention to plugging a multibillion-dollar hole in the state budget. During his State of the Commonwealth speech when the session opened Jan. 8, Warner received 52 standing ovations.

He concluded the session in the same tone, praising the Republican-dominated Assembly for accepting his plea for bipartisanship.

"There is a lot of stuff to be proud of," he said. "I'm pleased the Assembly tried to work in a bipartisan manner."

As evidence, Warner pointed to legislative approval of measures streamlining state agencies, cutting $2 billion in spending and developing a long-term plan for government operations.

But between Warner's Jan. 8 speech and last week's press conference, lawmakers debated issues that had little to do with the state budget or the economy.

Abortion and 'reproductive rights'

Numerous bills about abortion occupied lawmakers' attention. Activism occurred on both sides: Anne Sterling of the League of Women Voters lobbied to "save reproductive freedom in Virginia," while Delegate Richard H. Black, R-Sterling, mailed senators plastic replicas of developing fetuses.

Anti-abortion lawmakers passed several bills that tightened abortion rules. One bill will require a minor female to get parental consent before an abortion. Another bill bans a late-term abortion procedure known as partial-birth infanticide; Warner vetoed a similar ban last year.

Anti-abortion lawmakers claimed another victory by killing Baskerville's resolution that urges health care providers to let women know about emergency contraception or "morning-after pills."

But anti-abortion legislators lost a round when the Assembly rejected a bill requiring abortion clinics to meet the standards of outpatient surgery centers. The bill's critics said it would have forced 18 of the 19 abortion clinics in the state to close.

The 'guns in bars' bill jams

Republican lawmakers were not as successful on expanding gun rights as they were on expanding abortion restrictions.

A measure allowing concealed handguns in restaurants where alcohol is served failed. But gun rights advocates managed to kill a bill that would have required people buying guns from unlicensed dealers at gun shows to undergo criminal background checks.

The governor's agenda

Gov. Warner, many other Democrats and several business leaders supported a bill allowing governors to serve consecutive terms. Even though the bill would have taken effect after Warner leaves office, the General Assembly rejected the idea. Lawmakers feared that it would have given the governor too much power.

The Legislature also blocked another pet issue of Warner's: a law allow police to stop and ticket motorists for failing to wear a seat belt.

A balanced budget but questions remain

Despite social issues crowding the docket, lawmakers did address the budget problems.

On the last day of the session, they overwhelmingly endorsed a revised state budget that held out the hope of a 2.25 percent raise for state employees, including teachers.

Both Warner and the Republicans claimed victory at the close of the session.

House Speaker William Howell complimented the Assembly's performance. He said it had made state government more streamlined and focused because of the 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 repealing the state's estate tax. Howell said the inheritance tax was a "job killer" that drove away businesses. Warner and most Democrats said repealing the estate tax was a sop to the rich.

Howell 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."

But Warner accused Republicans of hypocrisy: While they didn't raise tax, they did raise fees. Liquor prices at state stores will go up 5 percent, and a driver's license will cost $5 more, under the budget passed by the General Assembly.

"They talk the loudest about no new tax increases and then subvert them by fee increases," Warner said.