Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond Wednesday faced with trimming billions from the state’s already beleaguered budget without dismantling education, public safety, health care and other services.

The 2010 session begins just days before Virginia inaugurates its new governor — Republican Bob McDonnell — who takes office on Saturday. McDonnell, the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-majority Senate are confronted with reaching a compromise on a $4.2 billion shortfall through mid-2012. With proposed tax increases considered dead on arrival, legislators will need to bring their spending blueprint into balance solely through cuts.