RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Legislators are arriving in Richmond for a legislative session that will features debates on education, transportation, guns and uranium mining.

Those are just a few of the prominent issues on the agenda for the 2013 General Assembly, which convenes at noon Wednesday. Gov. Bob McDonnell will deliver his final State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night.

Lawmakers will consider the Republican governor's plans to boost funding for transportation and give teachers more money but less protection against being fired. Guns are expected to be a big issue in the aftermath of last month's Connecticut school shooting. Legislators also will weigh a hotly contested proposal to lift the state's ban on uranium mining.

The assembly won't adopt a new two-year budget until 2014, but will make adjustments to the current one.