By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — Child-placement agencies, such as Lutheran Family Services and Catholic Family Services, are asking Virginia lawmakers to ensure adoption workers can use religious and moral discretion when placing children.

By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — Virginia’s crumbling roads will force lawmakers into “uncharted territory” this spring, as they divvy up taxpayer dollars to develop a budget, a political science professor predicted Wednesday.

By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News   RICHMOND — As Virginia Republicans grabbed the reins in the state Senate on Wednesday, a coalition of progressive interest groups geared up to fight against expected conservative policy shifts. "There is obviously a different makeup of the General Assembly this year, and I think everybody here recognizes [...]

By Hannah Hess | Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — If Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell wants a more prominent role in national politics, he might fare best if Democrats rule the state Senate.

By Peter J. Smith | Virginia Statehouse News ALEXANDRIA — Northern Virginia led the state’s economy through the Great Recession, thanks to a steady stream of jobs from the federal government, but that relationship now could become its Achilles' heel.

By Amanda Iacone / Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND – Republicans declared themselves a majority in the Senate and with it comes total control of Virginia government – a day after the polls closed.

Staff Reports | Virginia Statehouse News ALEXANDRIA — Republicans appeared to have taken control of the Virginia Senate on Tuesday, but their razor thin majority rests on 86 votes and may not be settled until a lengthy recount is concluded.

By Peter J. Smith | Old Dominion Watchdog ALEXANDRIA — Republicans and Democrats are waging the 2011 election cycle’s most expensive state political battle in one of the poorest Virginia districts in a fight for control of the state Senate.

By Amanda Iacone Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — City and county officials statewide are disappointed that none of Virginia’s year-end cash balance will help pay for local services.

By Amanda Iacone Virginia Statehouse News RICHMOND — Legislators statewide welcomed a proposal by Gov. Bob McDonnell to wean the state from its military-dependent economy and shore up its cash reserves.