Legislators representing Gloucester and Mathews counties in the Virginia General Assembly are dealing with a wide array of issues this session—everything from boosting rural economic development to providing for needed mental health services (and, as always, the budget).

 Gazette-Journal reporters Sherry Hamilton and Quinton Sheppard sat down with Del. Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna) and state Sens. Tommy Norment (R-James City County) and Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomac) on Monday to find out what the local legislators are working on this year.

Del. Keith Hodges

Enjoying his last few weeks inside his corner office on the top floor of the General Assembly Building, Del. Hodges has been busy preparing legislation that he says is designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay while, at the same time, encourage economic development across the Middle Peninsula.

“We’ve identified 23 different programs dealing with protecting the bay, which we want to do,” Hodges said. &ldq...