With Virginia's state budget nearly two months late, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is only tinkering with the General Assembly's two-year, $85 billion spending plan. He's not making major changes.

McDonnell (R) submitted $43.9 million in amendments about two hours before his midnight Friday deadline. He made 88 changes in all, some of them highly technical, some of them directing more funds to education, economic development and scientific research.

"A Bristol teacher's paycheck, a Hampton deputy sheriff's salary, health care for a senior citizen in Fairfax, road projects in Richmond, and the fiscal soundness of the entire Commonwealth - all of these things depend upon the timely passage of a balanced state budget," McDonnell said in statement that highlighted his quick work on the amendments.

No new taxes or fees would bankroll McDonnell's additions, which include such diverse priorities as $2 million to lure filmmakers to Virginia and $7.5 million to help localities adjust to changes in military bases.