Residents watching Gov. Bob McDonnell deliver his State of the Commonwealth Address tonight can expect to hear him lay out his legislative agenda for his sophomore session and call for cooperation.

From his ceremonial office on the third floor of the State Capitol, McDonnell said his speech set to start at 7 p.m. will focus on government reform—including fixing the state employee retirement system—enhancing job creation resources, increasing access to higher education, and making investments in transportation.

“If I can get those four major items accomplished, I think it will be a good session,” he said.

He’ll also discuss the need for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work on policy.

“I will make a pitch with a divided General Assembly in an election year, in a redistricting year, to do everything they can to put aside the rhetoric and be statesmen,” McDonnell said. “This is a great group of legislators and I’m certainly confident that they can do it when I lay out the challenges I think I’m going to try to focus them on problem solving. There will be time for campaigning. That’ll be next fall. Right now is the time to fix problems.”

All 140 lawmakers are up for re-election in November.

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