Virginia Politics - News and notes on politics in Richmond.

Posted at 01:37 PM ET, 07/13/2012

Fairfax County supervisor said he voted against suing EPA partly because of Cuccinelli’s role

By Fredrick Kunkle

Fairfax County Supervisor John W. Foust voted against filing a lawsuit against the EPA partly because of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s role.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 01:37 PM ET, 07/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Fairfax County supervisor says he voted against EPA lawsuit with Virginia because he is wary of Cuccinelli

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 07/13/2012

Fairfax County, VDOT sue EPA over Accotink Creek watershed regulations

By Fredrick Kunkle

The suit accuses the Environmental Protection Agency of “massive” and expensive regulatory overreach.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 12:00 PM ET, 07/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Fairfax teams with Virginia to sue EPA

Posted at 03:14 PM ET, 06/12/2012

Virginia Supreme Court allows Fairfax County residents to sue VDOT over flooding

By Fredrick Kunkle

Virginia Supreme Court reinstates Fairfax County residents’ $9 million flooding lawsuit against VDOT.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 03:14 PM ET, 06/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia High Court allows Fairfax County residents lawsuit to proceed against VDOT over flooding

Posted at 06:44 PM ET, 06/07/2012

First lady Michelle Obama visits Northern Virginia to fire up president’s reelection campaign

By Fredrick Kunkle

Michelle Obama visited Northern Virginia on Thursday in her first solo public campaign appearance in the battleground state for husband Barack Obama’s reelection.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 06:44 PM ET, 06/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: First Lady Michelle Obama visits Virginia to fire up president's campaign

Posted at 02:57 PM ET, 05/26/2012

Red Onion prisoners are on a hunger strike, Virginia officials acknowledge

By Anita Kumar

Seven inmates remain on a hunger strike at the super-maximum prison in Southwest Virginia, officials say.

By Anita Kumar | 02:57 PM ET, 05/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Prisons, Red Onion State Prison

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 05/24/2012

In victory for Cuccinelli supporters, Va. GOP will reconsider holding a convention for 2013 elections

By Anita Kumar

The format could aid AG Ken Cuccinelli’s odds in the governor’s race.

By Anita Kumar | 05:33 PM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 10:59 AM ET, 05/24/2012

Tim Kaine has lead in new survey, as Sen. Tom Coburn endorses George Allen

By Ben Pershing

NBC/Marist poll has Kaine up 6 points, but other surveys show a closer race.

By Ben Pershing | 10:59 AM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 05/23/2012

Virginia families battling Justice Department closure of state institutions for disabled are monitoring funding woes for Fairfax services

By Fredrick Kunkle

The families believe the large institutions, with special facilities and round-the-clock care, are the best places for people whose disabilities can make them a danger to themselves or others.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 01:22 PM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Families see CSB troubles as evidence for blocking Virginia-DOJ settlement

Posted at 05:44 PM ET, 05/21/2012

Scott Rigell, Paul Hirschbiel trade ‘clean campaign’ challenges

By Ben Pershing

The incumbent wants a positive campaign, and his opponent wants a ban on anonymous outside spending.

By Ben Pershing | 05:44 PM ET, 05/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Scott Rigell, Paul Hirschbiel

Posted at 08:50 AM ET, 05/11/2012

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling can vote on budget amendments

By Anita Kumar

Virginia’s governor will help Republicans have the last word on the state budget

By Anita Kumar | 08:50 AM ET, 05/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 05/09/2012

Ken Cuccinelli supporters want to hold a convention for 2013 governor’s race

By Anita Kumar

Cuccinelli supporters try to change the nomination contest for 2013 governor’s race to a convention.

By Anita Kumar | 10:45 AM ET, 05/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia governor's race

Posted at 04:58 PM ET, 05/08/2012

Millions in ad dollars pour into Virginia Senate race

By Ben Pershing

National Democrats have bought $7.4 million worth of airtime to help former governor Tim Kaine.

By Ben Pershing | 04:58 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Tim Allen, George Allen, Virginia Senate race, Virginia

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 05/07/2012

Obama airs new ad in Virginia, other swing states

By Anita Kumar

President Obama today began airing a new ad, “Go,” which touts the administration’s record and reminds voters what things were like in 2008.

By Anita Kumar | 09:21 AM ET, 05/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 05/01/2012

Democrat Brian Moran’s employer has ties to conservative group ALEC

By Anita Kumar

Brian Moran, chairman of the Va. Democratic Party, is a top ranking executive with a for-profit college group that is a member. He says he has “very different views” from ALEC.

By Anita Kumar | 03:13 PM ET, 05/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia Democrats, Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities, higher education

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 04/27/2012

Tim Kaine has far more money from small donors than George Allen in Virginia Senate race

By Anita Kumar

The Republican frontrunner for U.S. Senate in Virginia, George Allen, got a little on TV ads this week. But Democrat Tim Kaine is still winning the race for money.

By Anita Kumar | 04:57 PM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, campaign fundraising

Posted at 04:46 PM ET, 04/27/2012

‘Fighting Joe’ Morrissey to get law licence reinstated

By Anita Kumar

Va. Del. Joe Morrissey, the outspoken former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer known as “Fighting Joe,” is getting his law license reinstated.

By Anita Kumar | 04:46 PM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 01:07 PM ET, 04/27/2012

Fairfax County to be home for new corporate spinoff, officials say

By Fredrick Kunkle

A newly created, high-tech federal contracting company has chosen Northern Virginia over Maryland as its home.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 01:07 PM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, federal contracting

Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 04/27/2012

McDonnell tours tornado-struck area one year later

By Anita Kumar

Gov. Bob McDonnell will return to Southwest Virginia today, one year after a series of tornadoes killed at least 10, injured more than 100 and damaged hundreds of buildings

By Anita Kumar | 10:04 AM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, weather

Posted at 06:52 PM ET, 04/26/2012

‘EpiPen’ proposal, inspired partly by Amarria Johnson’s death, becomes Virginia law

By Laura Vozzella

Inspired in part by a girl who died of an allergic reaction to peanuts, the measures direct schools to draft policies for keeping epinephrine pens on hand

By Laura Vozzella | 06:52 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Amarria Johnson, Virginia, health care

Posted at 05:32 PM ET, 04/26/2012

Michelle Obama, Warner and McDonnell to attend Va. Tech graduation, two as speakers, one as proud dad

By Laura Vozzella

The first lady and senator will give addresses; the governor will attend the ceremony as one of his daughters receives a master’s degree

By Laura Vozzella | 05:32 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia Tech University

Posted at 02:43 PM ET, 04/11/2012

New Va. public employee retirement program could cost millions to implement, think-tank report says

By Anita Kumar

A new law that creates a mandatory hybrid retirement program for public employees could cost Virginia millions to implement, according to a think tank analysis.

By Anita Kumar | 02:43 PM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 04/11/2012

McDonnell talks politics, trade missions on national TV

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) is conducting a flurry of television interviews while in the Big Apple for first stop of a four-day trade mission.

By Anita Kumar | 11:15 AM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 05:53 PM ET, 04/04/2012

Loudoun supervisors adopt budget, cut property tax rate

By Caitlin Gibson

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to adopt a nearly $1.8 billion fiscal 2013 plan that will lower the property tax rate.

By Caitlin Gibson | 05:53 PM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Loudoun County, Virginia

Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 04/04/2012

Virginia TV ads tout new greenhouse gas limits on power plants

By Laura Vozzella

Environmental groups purchase television ads to promote stricter clean air standards that the power industry says will kill construction of new coal plants

By Laura Vozzella | 05:00 AM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 05:48 PM ET, 03/29/2012

McCormick fails to make GOP Senate primary ballot; four others submit signatures

By Anita Kumar

Hampton Roads lawyer David McCormick failed to submit signatures for the GOP Senate primary ballot by the 5 p.m. deadline.

By Anita Kumar | 05:48 PM ET, 03/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginal politics

Posted at 04:47 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Del. Bob Marshall delivers signatures for Virginia GOP Senate primary

By Anita Kumar

Del. Bob Marshall submitted 17,100 signatures to the Virginia State Board of Elections today to qualify for the June 12 GOP primary ballot for U.S. Senate.

By Anita Kumar | 04:47 PM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia Senate race, Virginia politics, Virginia Republicans

Posted at 01:01 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Kaine unlikely to face Democratic competition for Senate nomination

By Anita Kumar

It looks as if former governor Tim Kaine won’t have a primary contest for the Democratic Senate nomination after all.

By Anita Kumar | 01:01 PM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 01:44 PM ET, 03/27/2012

Obama to open offices in Prince William, Loudoun

By Anita Kumar

President Obama’s re-election campaign continues to ramp up in Virginia with the opening of three new campaign offices this weekend.

By Anita Kumar | 01:44 PM ET, 03/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Prince William County, Loudoun County

Posted at 09:55 AM ET, 03/20/2012

Louisa County schools to get nearly $4 million in quake aid

By Laura Vozzella

FEMA will provide funds to repair and rebuild schools damaged in the rare 5.8-magnitude earthquake

By Laura Vozzella | 09:55 AM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Louisa County, Virginia, Virginia earthquake, Virginia Schools, 2011 earthquake

Posted at 01:43 PM ET, 03/19/2012

Virginia Republicans to hold three Senate primary debates

By Ben Pershing

Frontrunner George Allen and his foes for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s Senate race will square off in a trio of debates.

By Ben Pershing | 01:43 PM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, George Allen

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 03/15/2012

McDonnell urged to veto voting bills

By Laura Vozzella

Voting-rights activists deliver petitions against a voter ID bill and another that would ban media from observing counting of provisional ballots

By Laura Vozzella | 01:54 PM ET, 03/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia voting rights, voting rights

Posted at 05:09 PM ET, 03/14/2012

New local pension costs may be spread over five years, under planned McDonnell amendment

By Anita Kumar

Local governments worried about the extra costs associated with changes made to the Virginia Retirement System last week may get a bit of a reprieve.

By Anita Kumar | 05:09 PM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia Retirement System

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 03/14/2012

Virginia posts 17 percent revenue growth in February

By Anita Kumar

Virginia’s revenue collections increased by 17 percent in February over the same time last year, state officials report.

By Anita Kumar | 01:25 PM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia economy

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 03/13/2012

Cuccinelli to host a series of town halls on electric rates

By Anita Kumar

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will host a series of town halls in Southside Virginia next week about electric rates.

By Anita Kumar | 06:10 PM ET, 03/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Utilities

Posted at 05:23 PM ET, 03/08/2012

Voter ID bills passed by Virginia House

By Laura Vozzella

The hotly debated legislation requires voters to show identification at polls but greatly expands types of ID accepted at polls

By Laura Vozzella | 05:23 PM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Voting rights, Veter fraud, Voter ID

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 03/08/2012

McDonnell tops hypothetical vice presidential contenders list

By Anita Kumar

Not only did McDonnell remain on Hotline’s Veepstakes Power Rankings this month, he moved up — to No. 1.

By Anita Kumar | 02:30 PM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Robert F. McDonnell, Republican Party, Virginia politics

Posted at 12:39 PM ET, 03/08/2012

McDonnell headlines event for Indiana gubernatorial hopeful Mike Pence

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will appear at a fundraiser tonight for fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, who is running for governor in Indiana

By Anita Kumar | 12:39 PM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Indiana, Indiana politics, Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 09:01 AM ET, 03/08/2012

Meet Virginia’s Twitter-savvy legislators

By Maggie Fazeli Fard

Twitter has emerged as this year’s political tool of choice in the Virginia General Assembly.

By Maggie Fazeli Fard | 09:01 AM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: virginia senate, virginia house of delegates

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 03/07/2012

Mapping out Romney’s Virginia victory

By Ben Pershing

Tuesday’s results offer some hints to where Romney looks strong in Virginia and where his weaknesses shown through.

By Ben Pershing | 03:27 PM ET, 03/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia primary, Super Tuesday

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Va. Senate leaders finally agree on something: ‘We need a raise’

By Laura Vozzella

A rare moment of comity in Richmond’s upper chamber ends when Sen. Jeffrey McWaters notes that passing a pay hike but not a budget wouldn't look good

By Laura Vozzella | 06:01 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 05:56 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Virginia Senate approves right to sue for wrongful death of fetus

By Laura Vozzella

The measure passed easily, despite controversy surrounding a ‘personhood’ bill that some considered similar. The House had previously passed it.

By Laura Vozzella | 05:56 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Virginia General Assembly, abortion, personhood

Posted at 05:34 PM ET, 03/01/2012

Virginia House gives final approval to ultrasound bill

By Anita Kumar

The House of Delegates today approved the modified and final version of a contentious proposal that would require women to get external ultrasounds before abortions.

By Anita Kumar | 05:34 PM ET, 03/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Virginia general assembly, health care, abortion

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 03/01/2012

‘Tebow’ bill to let home-schoolers play high school sports killed by Virginia Senate

By Anita Kumar

The measure would have allowed Virginia’s tens of thousands of home-schooled students to play sports at their local high schools.

By Anita Kumar | 11:20 AM ET, 03/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Education, High school sports, Home schools, Virginia General Assembly

Posted at 09:46 AM ET, 02/28/2012

Virginia legislators kill proposals to drug test welfare recipients

By Anita Kumar

The General Assembly has officially killed all proposals this year that would require drug screening for welfare recipients.

By Anita Kumar | 09:46 AM ET, 02/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics, Virginia General Assembly, social issues

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 02/24/2012

Fairfax officials still wishing for cross-state suburban coalition to address Va.’s needs

By Fredrick Kunkle

Legislators express frustration that talk about forming a coalition of the urban crescent has been just that, talk.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 06:01 PM ET, 02/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Northern Virginia still hoping for suburban coalition to balance power with Rest of Virginia

Posted at 04:08 PM ET, 02/24/2012

Va. Democrats to open Alexandria campaign office

By Ben Pershing

The coordinated campaign office is the latest concrete step on a path that Democrats hope will lead to a reversal of their electoral fortunes.

By Ben Pershing | 04:08 PM ET, 02/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Tim Kaine, Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 02/24/2012

Obama campaign opens fifth office in Virginia

By Anita Kumar

The president’s campaign will open in Fredericksburg this weekend.

By Anita Kumar | 11:22 AM ET, 02/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia politics

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 02/23/2012

Kaine, Perriello to join Obama campaign ‘youth summit’ in Richmond Saturday

By Ben Pershing

President Obama’s reelection campaign will host a youth summit this weekend in Richmond, with a few big-name Virginia politicians on hand to lure a crowd.

By Ben Pershing | 12:08 PM ET, 02/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Tim Kaine, Virginia, Virginia Senate campaign, Virginia politics, presidential election, Election 2012

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 02/17/2012

Sen. Saslaw (kinda, sorta) vows to parachute off Va. Capitol

By Laura Vozzella

Fairfax Democratic Sen. Richard Saslaw says he’ll take the leap if the tax credit for school vouchers expires as promised in 2017

By Laura Vozzella | 04:55 PM ET, 02/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia Senate

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 02/17/2012

Payroll tax deal passes despite opposition from Virginia lawmakers

By Ben Pershing

But the measure was supported by

By Ben Pershing | 01:23 PM ET, 02/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Payrole tax holiday

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 02/16/2012

Ex-congressman Virgil Goode eyes presidential bid

By Ben Pershing

It remains to be seen whether Gov. Robert McDonnell will end up on the Republican ticket this fall, but it appears at least one Virginian has decided to run for president.

By Ben Pershing | 05:06 PM ET, 02/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, presidential election, Republican Party

Posted at 04:31 PM ET, 02/16/2012

Following U.S. Chamber ads, Va. Chamber clarifies: The group is neutral in likely George Allen- Tim Kaine race

By Anita Kumar

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce just wants you to know: It is neutral in the Senate race.

By Anita Kumar | 04:31 PM ET, 02/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Senate race

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 02/16/2012

McDonnell urges Senate Democrats to act on the budget

By Anita Kumar

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is asking Democratic leaders to provide budget proposals, which they have not done so far.

By Anita Kumar | 03:30 PM ET, 02/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia General Assembly

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 02/16/2012

George Allen hires minister Joseph Ellison for Senate campaign

By Anita Kumar

Former governor and senator George Allen (R) has added minister Joseph Ellison to the payroll of his U.S. Senate campaign

By Anita Kumar | 09:54 AM ET, 02/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia, Virginia Senate race

Posted at 05:54 PM ET, 02/09/2012

McDonnell urges more higher ed dollars, dings Democratic predecessors on tuition increases

By Anita Kumar

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who currently has three children in Virginia colleges, joined with dozens of students Thursday to decry the escalating cost of higher education.

By Anita Kumar | 05:54 PM ET, 02/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Virginia

Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 02/08/2012

Jeb Bush to help sell McDonnell’s K-12 agenda

By Laura Vozzella

The former Florida governor will promote Virginia governor’s plans to encourage charter schools and make teachers more accountable

By Laura Vozzella | 02:39 PM ET, 02/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: charter schools, Virginia charter schools, Virginia schools

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 02/01/2012

Obama will appear in Arlington on Friday

By Anita Kumar

It will be the president’s second visit to Northern Virginia this week.

By Anita Kumar | 02:17 PM ET, 02/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Northern Virginia, Virginia

Posted at 02:15 PM ET, 01/31/2012

Fairfax County has snared more than 9,000 new jobs , economic development agency says

By Fredrick Kunkle

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority says 159 firms will have created more than 9,000 jobs in Virginia’s largest jurisdiction within about a year’s time.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 02:15 PM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Maryland v. Virginia job creation

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 04/16/2011

Arlington passes $1 billion budget

By Christy Goodman

The Arlington County Board unanimously passed its $1 billion fiscal 2012 budget at a meeting Saturday.

By Christy Goodman | 01:22 PM ET, 04/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: virginia politics

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