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 [...]

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.

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.

By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — The Virginia GOP establishment Thursday bestowed two more endorsements on Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, but popular Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has expressed interest in a nod for vice president, stayed on the sidelines.

Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — The third State of the Commonwealth address from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday received enthusiastic whoops and applause from the state House gallery. 

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.

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.

By Lynn Campbell  |  IowaPolitics.com CLIVE — Hundreds of people jam-packed candidate events in hotels, businesses and restaurants for a final glimpse of the 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls in the hours leading up to Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.