Virginia Politics - News and notes on politics in Richmond.

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 05/27/2011

Tito the builder protests GOP Senate nomination process

By Jennifer Buske

A potential state Senate candidate has already cried foul on a process set to take place Saturday to determine how Republicans will nominate a candidate for the 36th district race.

By Jennifer Buske | 04:44 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:02 AM ET, 05/27/2011

McDonnell invites governors from Miss., N.C. and Tenn. to conference in Va.

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will be joined by fellow governors from Mississippi, Tennessee and North Carolina at what is being billed as the South’s premier manufacturing conference next month.

By Anita Kumar | 11:02 AM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 05/26/2011

Colgan says he remains undecided about another Senate run

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Prince William Sen. Charles J. Colgan (D), the Virginia Senate’s longest-serving member, says he is still making up his mind about whether to run for a 10th term in November.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 03:31 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:50 PM ET, 05/26/2011

State officials gather to honor Virginia’s war dead

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell and other officials joined several hundred uniformed service members and families of fallen troops.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:50 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 05/26/2011

Mark Center parking cap passes the House

By Christy Goodman

A parking cap at Mark Center was approved as part of the House of Representatives Defense Authorization bill. The full bill, which includes a provision to delay some BRAC move dates, is expected to come to a vote later THursday.

By Christy Goodman | 01:28 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:44 AM ET, 05/26/2011

Va. will end fiscal year with surplus, governor says

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Thursday that he expects Virginia to finish the fiscal year at the end of June with a budget surplus, a sign of the state’s economic recovery and — he will argue — his own steady stewardship of state finances.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 09:44 AM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:43 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Kaine won’t say how he would’ve voted on Obama budget

By Ben Pershing

On a day when President Obama’s budget blueprint for 2012 couldn’t garner a single vote of symbolic support in the Senate, former Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) would not say how he would have voted if he were in the chamber.

By Ben Pershing | 08:43 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 05/25/2011

U.-Va. agrees to complete response to global warming public records request by August

By Rosalind S. Helderman

University and conservative advocacy group have agreed the university will turn over documents in response to a public information request by the group.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:45 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Virginia to offer state park perk for veterans, service members

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Active-duty military service members and veterans will get free parking at state parks through the end of the December, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said Wednesday.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:43 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:13 PM ET, 05/24/2011

DOJ requests interviews with redistricting legislators

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Lawyers with the Department of Justice have requested interviews with leading Virginia senators and delegates as they review whether the state’s proposed new state legislative districts comply with the terms of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:13 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 05/24/2011

Surprised by Barbour, Daniels, McDonnell still watching presidential field

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said he was surprised when Haley Barbour and Mitch Daniels decided against running for president.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:15 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:18 PM ET, 05/24/2011

McDonnell won’t intervene in Soering parole request

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has informed lawyers for convicted killer Jens Soering that he will not intervene in Soering’s request for parole.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:18 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 05/24/2011

House Republicans raise more than $500,000 at annual retreat

By Anita Kumar

House Republicans will wrap up their annual fundraising retreat Tuesday at the posh Homestead resort.

By Anita Kumar | 09:19 AM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:45 PM ET, 05/23/2011

House Republicans support Nardo for clerk

By Anita Kumar

House Republicans have agreed to support Paul Nardo, longtime chief of staff to House Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford), as the new clerk of the House of Delegates and Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth.

By Anita Kumar | 06:45 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:41 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Judges in Va. health-care suit ask for more information from battling lawyers

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Three federal judges weighing Virginia’s challenge to the federal health-care law have asked lawyers for the commonwealth and for the Obama administration to file additional briefs with the court.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:41 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:23 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Jefferson Institute weighs in on Va. school choice debate with report card on Fla. students

By Fredrick Kunkle

Fairfax County-based institute says Sunshine State’s low-income students do better than Virginia’s on some tests, perhaps because of school choice.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 04:23 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:23 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Prince William supervisor to run for Virginia Senate

By Jennifer Buske

Prince William County Republican Supervisor John T. Stirrup to run for new Virginia Senate seat in Northern Virginia.

By Jennifer Buske | 03:23 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:34 PM ET, 05/23/2011

McDonnell, Democrats release competing ‘by the numbers’ videos

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Not to be outdone, today, the Democratic Party of Virginia responds with its own “By the Numbers” video, lumping McDonnell with controversial Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) to create “McDonnell-Cuccinelli Administration: By the Numbers.”

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:34 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011

George Allen won’t say how he would vote on Ryan budget plan

By Ben Pershing

With the Senate expected to vote next week on the House Republican budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.), Virginia Senate hopeful George Allen (R) won’t say how he would cast his ballot if he was in the chamber.

By Ben Pershing | 04:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Key endorsement for U.S. Senate race’s GOP primary: Cuccinelli

By Anita Kumar

For the four longshot candidates challenging former senator and governor George Allen for the Republican nomination in next year’s U.S. Senate race, one potential endorsement stands above the rest:

By Anita Kumar | 03:30 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Gainesville resident plans to challenge Bob Marshall

By Jennifer Buske

Air Force veteran and Prince William area community activist Carl Genthner plans to seek the Democratic nomination to vie for Del. Robert G. Marshall’s seat this fall.

By Jennifer Buske | 12:45 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 05/20/2011

‘Tito the Builder’ raises money, considers running against Puller

By Anita Kumar

As Tito Muñoz — better known as “Tito the Builder” — contemplates a run for elected office this fall, he’s looking to help Republicans take back the state Senate, too.

By Anita Kumar | 12:12 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:43 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Stanley, Reynolds to face each other in November

By Anita Kumar

For the first time in two decades, a pair of Virginia senators are expected to compete with one another in a general election.

By Anita Kumar | 05:43 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:28 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Popular Whipple Report to continue, though author retiring

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia Senate spouse and retired CIA analyst Tom Whipple announced Thursday that he is retiring his popular pre-dawn news clip service and handing it over to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan group devoted to shedding light on the political process in Virginia.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:28 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:38 AM ET, 05/19/2011

Virginia fines Northrop Grumman nearly $5M for massive computer outage

By Anita Kumar

Northrop Grumman has agreed to pay nearly $5 million for the massive government computer meltdown last summer that left several state agencies unable to handle citizen requests for days.

By Anita Kumar | 10:38 AM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Warner, Webb reject Senate proposal to open Va. coast to offshore drilling

By Anita Kumar

U.S. senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb voted against a bill Wednesday that would have allowed offshore oil and gas drilling off Virginia’s coast.

By Anita Kumar | 05:33 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:27 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Fairfax County supervisor Cook backs new tax breaks for nonprofits

By Fredrick Kunkle

Braddock District Republican John Cook says the current practice of taxing nonprofits defeats the purpose of encouraging people to give to charities.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 05:27 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Cantor does not plan to get involved in redistricting

By Rosalind S. Helderman

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said today that he doesn’t plan to weigh in on the Virginia General Assembly’s process to draw new boundaries for the state’s 11 congressional districts.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:44 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:41 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Del. Watkins Abbitt will not seek reelection

By Anita Kumar

Del. Watkins M. Abbitt Jr. (R-Appomattox), who has represented central Virginia since 1986, announced Wednesday that he will not run for a 14th term in November.

By Anita Kumar | 12:41 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/18/2011

Kaine: Gay couples should be allowed to adopt

By Anita Kumar

U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine said that he believes gay couples should be able to adopt if a judge deems it in the best interest of the child.

By Anita Kumar | 09:00 AM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:39 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Kaine, Warner rally faithful at Alexandria fundraiser

By Ben Pershing

Timothy M. Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner sought to rally the Democratic faithful – and pry open their wallets – for Kaine’s Senate campaign on Tuesday night on the Alexandria waterfront.

By Ben Pershing | 11:39 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:28 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Cuccinelli hires Richmond.com columnist, she tweets

By Rosalind S. Helderman

How’s this for an odd couple: Richmond.com dating columnist Caroline Gibson has been hired as deputy director of communications for conservative Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli (R).

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:28 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:18 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Possible uranium mining puts Roanoke River on nation’s ‘most endangered’ list

By Anita Kumar

The mere threat of possible uranium mining in Southside Virginia has landed the Roanoke River on a list of the nation’s most endangered waterways.

By Anita Kumar | 03:18 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:11 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Kaine hits Allen on debt-limit issue

By Ben Pershing

Timothy M. Kaine (D) took his first direct rhetorical shot at George Allen (R) in the 2012 Senate race Tuesday, seeking to tar the Republican as a hypocrite on the issue of raising the debt ceiling.

By Ben Pershing | 03:11 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:58 PM ET, 05/17/2011

McDonnell appeals FEMA rejection on tornado aid

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) is appealing a recent decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deny federal aid to Virginia counties hard hit by tornadoes in April.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:58 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:27 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Advocacy groups demand adoption regulations be postponed

By Anita Kumar

Several gay rights groups and other organizations are asking the State Board of Social Services to delay implementing new regulations they say allow faith-based organizations in Virginia to discriminate in adoptions based on sexual orientation.

By Anita Kumar | 01:27 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:44 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Connolly makes pitch for N.Y. special election candidate

By Ben Pershing

The importance of next week’s special election for an open congressional seat in upstate New York is increasingly being felt nationwide — including in Northern Virginia.

By Ben Pershing | 12:44 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:35 PM ET, 05/16/2011

Fairfax County chairman formally announces reelection bid

By Fredrick Kunkle

Bulova touts role guiding county through tough economic times with minimal pain.

By Fredrick Kunkle | 06:35 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 05/16/2011

State officials say charity review just beginning

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia Secretary of Finance Ric Brown said the state is only just now beginning to grapple with the issue of how and when to give state dollars to charities in light of an opinion by Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) in January that state grants provided to nonprofits violate the state Constitution.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:14 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 05/16/2011

McDonnell meets with South Korean president

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell had a “warm and personal visit” with South Korean President Myung-Bak Lee on Monday while on the final leg of his trip to Asia.

By Anita Kumar | 12:50 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:04 PM ET, 05/16/2011

Sen. Warner delivers 1,200 messages to SEAL team that killed bin Laden

By Ben Pershing

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Monday delivered more than 1,200 messages of thanks and support to the Virginia-based SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden.

By Ben Pershing | 12:04 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 05/16/2011

Delegate Cleaveland will not run for reelection

By Anita Kumar

Republican Del. Bill Cleaveland, who has represented the Roanoke area for one term, has announced he will not seek reelection.

By Anita Kumar | 11:30 AM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 05/14/2011

Arlington to sell $207 million in bonds

By Christy Goodman

The County Board approved the June sale of $207 million in bonds for public projects Saturday at its regular hearing.

By Christy Goodman | 11:22 AM ET, 05/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Arlington County

Posted at 04:58 PM ET, 05/13/2011

Frederick considers a state Senate run

By Anita Kumar

Jeff Frederick, the ousted leader of the Republican Party of Virginia and a former Prince William County delegate, said he’s considering running for state Senate.

By Anita Kumar | 04:58 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 05/13/2011

McDonnell promotes Virginia in China

By Anita Kumar

Gov. Bob McDonnell has spent three days in China — two days in Shanghai and one in Beijing — trying to drum up business for Virginia.

By Anita Kumar | 01:25 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:34 PM ET, 05/13/2011

General Assembly to return for congressional redistricting June 9

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The House of Delegates and Senate are expected to return to the Capitol on June 9 to complete the process of drawing new boundaries for the state’s 11 congressional districts.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:34 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 05/13/2011

McDonnell: Hamilton’s ‘the kind of conduct we cannot ever accept’

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said Friday that he will consider whether any ethics laws need to be changed following former delegate Phillip A. Hamilton’s conviction this week for bribery and extortion.

By Anita Kumar | 11:32 AM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:41 PM ET, 05/12/2011

FEMA says Virginia has capability to handle tornado damage

By Rosalind S. Helderman

FEMA weighs requests for federal assistance based on the ability of local and state communities to respond to disasters on their own.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:41 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:17 PM ET, 05/12/2011

Senate confirms Roanoke magistrate as federal judge for Western District of Virginia

By Anita Kumar

The Senate unanimously confirmed Michael Urbanski Thursday to serve as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

By Anita Kumar | 03:17 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:37 PM ET, 05/12/2011

April revenues in Virginia grow by 1.5 percent as economy rebounds

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Revenues in Virginia continued to grow in April, marking a sustained period of recovery for state tax collections.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:37 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:12 PM ET, 05/12/2011

State bond funding to remake Yorktown visitor center

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia will spend $41 million to build a new visitor’s center at the site of the Battle of Yorktown, where the British army surrendered to the American colonists, resulting in the end of the Revolutionary War.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:12 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 05/12/2011

Donation of Greenbrier owner to McDonnell may be an investment in the future

By Anita Kumar

Jim Justice, owner of the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, said Thursday that his family’s donation to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was not because of any business matter in front of the state.

By Anita Kumar | 01:04 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:03 PM ET, 05/11/2011

Howell ‘saddened’ by Hamilton’s conviction

By Anita Kumar

House Speaker William J, Howell (R-Stafford) said he was saddened by the conviction of former Del. Phillip A. Hamilton. Here’s his full statement released late Wednesday night:

By Anita Kumar | 07:03 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 05/11/2011

Former delegate found guilty of bribery, extortion

By Anita Kumar

A powerful former member of the Virginia House of Delegates was found guilty Wednesday of bribery and extortion for seeking a job at Norfolk’s Old Dominion University in exchange for obtaining state funding for the school.

By Anita Kumar | 05:38 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 05/11/2011

Senate confirms Norfolk woman as federal judge for Eastern District of Virginia

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Arenda L. Wright Allen, a federal public defender in Norfolk, to serve as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:55 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 05/11/2011

Virginia sells itself in Chinese and Korean

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia officials release Chinese and Korean-language videos selling Virginia as a business and tourist definition, in conjunction with Gov. Bob McDonnell’s ongoing trade mission to Asia.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:21 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 05/11/2011

Kaine calls on Republicans to support an end to oil subsidies

By Anita Kumar

Former governor Tim Kaine (D) called on his Republican rivals in the U.S. Senate race to support an end to subsidies to oil companies as a way to curb the nation’s skyrocketing debt.

By Anita Kumar | 11:45 AM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:34 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Martin- Brower to expand in Prince William

By Jennifer Buske

Food distribution company Martin-Brower will expand its Prince William County location, investing more than $32 million and adding 65 jobs, county officials said Tuesday.

By Jennifer Buske | 09:34 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:12 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Greenbrier owners donate $100,000 to McDonnell’s PAC

By Anita Kumar

The family of Jim Justice, the billionaire owner of the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, has donated $100,000 to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s political action committee, Opportunity Virginia.

By Anita Kumar | 06:12 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:31 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Cuccinelli sends Virginia’s redistricting plans to Justice Department, court for review

By Anita Kumar

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has officially sent Virginia’s legislative maps to the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for review.

By Anita Kumar | 05:31 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:55 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Washington Post Virginia poll: gay marriage vs. gay adoption

By Peyton M. Craighill

By a 20 point margin, Virginia adults think it should be legal for gay and lesbian couples to adopt a child in the state. But they are much more closely divided on the question of gay marriage.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 03:55 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:09 PM ET, 05/10/2011

In Japan, McDonnell tries to lure businesses to Va.

By Anita Kumar

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) spent the past four days meeting with Japanese business executives as he tries to lure companies to bring new jobs to Virginia.

By Anita Kumar | 02:09 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Federal appeals court in Virginia hears oral arguments in health care lawsuits

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A three-judge panel selected at random to hear oral arguments in two cases challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law in Richmond Tuesday included only judges appointed by Democratic presidents.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:15 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:41 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Finkbeiner leaves McDonnell’s administration

By Anita Kumar

Eric Finkbeiner, Gov. Robert McDonnell’s senior policy adviser and a member of his Cabinet, will leave the administration next month.

By Anita Kumar | 12:41 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:04 PM ET, 05/10/2011

McDonnell: Gay marriage ban was “the right decision”

By Anita Kumar

By Anita Kumar | 12:04 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:52 AM ET, 05/10/2011

Retired general to challenge Frank Wolf in 10th district

By Ben Pershing

A retired Air Force general is running to unseat Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), giving Democrats an early contender in a district where they have had difficulty competing in recent election cycles.

By Ben Pershing | 09:52 AM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:18 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Warner to help Kaine raise money for Senate race

By Anita Kumar

By Anita Kumar | 03:18 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 05/09/2011

Northrop Grumman penalty for overtime computer crash coming soon

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Final negotiations between state officials and Northrop Grumman executives are underway and an announcement of the penalty could come within days.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 11:32 AM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Connolly, McDonnell urge approval of free trade agreement with Korea

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A rare topic of agreement for Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) — both agree approval of a free trade arrangement could be key for the Virginia economy and should be approved by Congress.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:30 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Virginia Capitol Police chief to retire

By Anita Kumar

Kimberly S. Lettner will retire July 1 after more than four years as head of America’s oldest police department.

By Anita Kumar | 02:29 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 05/06/2011

McDonnell departs for 11-day trip to Asia

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has departed on a 11-day trade mission to Japan, China and Korea.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:21 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:12 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Virginia to stop automatic delivery of white pages

By Anita Kumar

A Virginia regulatory commission Thursday granted Verizon’s request to end the automatic delivery of the residential white pages to customers in the state.

By Anita Kumar | 08:12 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:37 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Legal settlement could resolve false late video fees

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Virginia Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) announced Thursday that a settlement has been reached with the trustee handling bankruptcy proceedings for Hollywood Movie and Movie Gallery.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:37 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:29 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Warner offers online forum to thank Navy SEALs for bin Laden mission

By Ben Pershing

Visitors to Sen. Mark Warner’s Web site will now be able to post comments thanking the Navy SEALs who killed Osama bin Laden, and the comments will be delivered to their commanders.

By Ben Pershing | 05:29 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:23 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Man charged in Arlington voter fraud waives extradition

By Christy Goodman

The president of the company hired to collect signatures for Arlington’s failed change of government petition waived extradition Thursday in Macomb County, Mich., court officials said.

By Christy Goodman | 05:23 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:35 PM ET, 05/05/2011

U.S. House votes to open Va. coast to offshore drilling

By Anita Kumar

The Republican-controlled U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that calls for offshore oil and gas drilling off Virginia’s coast within a year.

By Anita Kumar | 03:35 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Stafford supervisor to run for 2nd district House seat

By Jennifer Buske

Stafford Board of County Supervisors Chairman Mark Dudenhefer said he plans to vie for the newly created House of Delegates seat that encompasses parts of Stafford and Prince William counties.

By Jennifer Buske | 01:32 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:27 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Environmentalists worry as allies retire from General Assembly

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Environmental community is very concerned about the near clean sweep of the lawmakers most concerned with environmental issues, especially the General Assembly prepares to take up proposal to lift Virginia’s moratorium on uranium mining in 2012.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 07:27 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:33 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Morgan to retire from House of Delegates

By Anita Kumar

Del. Harvey Morgan, the second-longest serving member in the Virginia House of Delegates, announced Wednesday that he would not run for re-election.

By Anita Kumar | 04:33 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:19 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Republicans keep pressing for Soering documents

By Ben Pershing

Republican campaign operatives are pressing ahead with their hunt for documents related to Timothy M. Kaine’s 2010 decision to allow the transfer of convicted murderer Jens Soering to Germany.

By Ben Pershing | 03:19 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Va. scheduled to file complaint in pension fraud case soon

By Rosalind S. Helderman

All parties in a lawsuit alleging Bank of New York Mellon defrauded Virginia’s pension fund await a filing from Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli formally outlining the state’s case against the bank.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:02 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Pr. William board chairman candidate to release campaign platform

By Jennifer Buske

Babur Lateef (D) who is seeking to replace Board Chairman Corey Stewart (R), will release his campaign platform this week.

By Jennifer Buske | 01:32 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:12 AM ET, 05/04/2011

McDonnell confirms the obvious: Spielberg to film Lincoln movie in Virginia

By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell confirmed what we have known for months: Steven Spielberg will film his movie in Richmond and Petersburg.

By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman | 11:12 AM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:12 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Prince William officials head to NY to get Sept. 11 artifact

By Jennifer Buske

Prince William County supervisors will be in New York and New Jersey on Wednesday to sift through artifacts left from the World Trade Center wreckage and hopefully secure one for the county’s Sept. 11 2011 memorial.

By Jennifer Buske | 07:12 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:23 PM ET, 05/03/2011

McDonnell talks economic development in New York

By Anita Kumar

Gov. Bob McDonnell rang the NASDAQ closing bell at 4 p.m. Tuesday while in New York City for a one-day economic development trip.

By Anita Kumar | 04:23 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:18 PM ET, 05/03/2011

McDonnell signs bill requiring improvements at Fairfax oil tank farm

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed a bill requiring a chain of aboveground oil storage tanks to come up to current codes.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:18 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:33 PM ET, 05/03/2011

McDonnell signs budget bill, reduces money for public broadcasting

By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) signed the state’s two-year $78 billion budget Monday, but reduced taxpayer funding for public broadcasting, his office announced today.

By Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman | 03:33 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:40 AM ET, 05/03/2011

McDonnell heads to Paris Air Show next month

By Anita Kumar

A month after he returns from Asia, Gov. Bob McDonnell will fly to France for the Paris Air Show, an international trade fair for the aerospace business held every other year.

By Anita Kumar | 11:40 AM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:46 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Alexandria tax bills to increase in fiscal 2012

By Christy Goodman

The average residential property tax bill will increase by $107 to about $4,500 thanks to a higher tax rate passed by the Alexandria City Council at a special meeting Monday night. The new 99.8-cent tax rate was passed to replace a controversial transportation tax on commercial properties.

By Christy Goodman | 09:46 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:33 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Government watchdog group faults McDonnell for action on redistricting bill

By Anita Kumar

The Virginia Redistricting Coalition, which has advocated changing how new boundaries are drawn in the state, faulted Gov. Bob McDonnell for not living up to his campaign process when he signed new legislative maps Friday night.

By Anita Kumar | 03:33 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 05/02/2011

Former delegate’s extortion trial begins

By Anita Kumar

The bribery and extortion trial of a powerful former member of the Virginia House of Delegates is scheduled to begin today in a Richmond courtroom.

By Anita Kumar | 10:18 AM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 05/01/2011

Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell and David Axelrod clash over Obama policies on ‘Meet the Press’

By Anita Kumar

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and Obama adviser David Axelrod got into a spirited debate — or two — Sunday morning on “Meet the Press.”

By Anita Kumar | 01:00 PM ET, 05/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Virginia Politics: May, 2011