By Carten Cordell | Virginia Statehouse News ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposed $2.2 billion payment into the state pension fund still falls $600 million short of what state retirement officials say is needed to address a multi-billion hole.    The Virginia Retirement System, or VRS, estimated that the system needs $2.8 billion during the next two years [...]Read More>>

By Carten Cordell | Virginia Statehouse News ALEXANDRIA — With their newfound majority, Virginia Republicans want to resurrect a proposal that would tighten voter-identification requirements. The measure failed to clear the state Senate last year.Read More>>

By Carten Cordell | Old Dominion Watchdog ALEXANDRIA — Stephen Murmer has been on the wrong side of the chopping block in Virginia's public school system. The Chesterfield County School District fired him, rather than following the standard grievance process Gov. Bob McDonnell will try to streamline this year.Read More>>

By Hannah Hess & Bill McMorris | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — The fastest 60 days in politics begin here Wednesday, and political players on both sides of the aisle are preparing for what could be a make-or-break session for Gov. Bob McDonnell.Read More>>

By Bill McMorris | Virginia Statehouse News ALEXANDRIA — Nothing is certain except death and taxes, the old adage says. But one lawmaker is trying to take the sting out of the latter, provided Virginians agree to propel their ashes into space.Read More>>

By Bill McMorris | Old Dominion Watchdog ALEXANDRIA — The Virginia Retirement System has withdrawn from a program to be a new accounting standards guinea pig.Read More>>

Even consistent voters may be confused this election day. Redistricting could change where you cast your ballot. Make sure to double check where your local polling place is. The State Board of Elections will help you track it down Here. An Update from SBE about some voting issues: In Henrico County, approximately 954 voters in 19 [...]Read More>>

Gov. Bob McDonnell is going to bat for Louisa County again, the epicenter of the 5.8 quake that struck Virginia in late August. The governor is making another try to get federal disaster aid to the locality and defray $31 million in damage to Louisa County High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. The Federal Emergency [...]Read More>>

By Peter J. Smith ALEXANDRIA | OldDominionWatchdog.org Alexandria’s new city manager promises to listen to resident concerns, but bring “fiscal austerity” to city planning as the city prepares to implement multi-million dollar projects. Rashad Young assumes office at an important time. The city is trying to develop its final waterfront plan, and has dealt with [...]Read More>>

McDonnell heralded in August a $544.8 million surplus for FY 2011, but has now provoked questions about why he is asking state agencies to cut their budgets by six percent. Reasons: falling sales tax revenue, possibility of a double dip recession, and the more than $18.5 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. Which the Commonwealth intercepted $600 million [...]Read More>>