State Sen. Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomac) held his first town hall meeting for Mathews this year on Monday in the historic courthouse on Court Street.

Speaking to a large group of residents, Lewis briefly laid out the issues that are being discussed during the General Assembly’s 2017 legislative session, and then asked the audience to voice their concerns.

Lewis said that the state is facing a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall in this year’s budget, which will once again require cuts, since Virginia cannot, by law, run a budget deficit. He said the General Assembly will tap into the state’s $550 million Revenue Stabilization Fund (also known as the “rainy day fund”) to help offset some costs, including a desired 1.5 to 2 percent raise for state employees.

Every state delegate is up for reelection this year, said Lewis, along with the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. This makes it “difficult to get things done” in Richmond, he said...