Paige Winfield Cunningham

GOP wants health care review board jettisoned

House Republicans called Tuesday for repealing a panel created by the new health care law they say will lead to rationing - highlighting a controversy they hope to use against Democrats in next year's elections. Published July 12, 2011

HHS promises flexibility on exchanges

The Obama administration promised states more flexibility in setting up health insurance exchanges through guidelines released Monday under the new health care law. Published July 11, 2011

Republicans target regaining edge in Va. Senate

The political battle for control of the Virginia Senate is taking shape as Democrats cling to a four-seat majority eyed by Republicans. Published July 10, 2011

Warner, Webb introduce bill to lift drilling moratorium

Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner have introduced legislation to lift a moratorium on drilling off the Virginia coast enacted by President Obama after last year’s oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Published July 6, 2011

Pressure mounts to revisit Dulles Metro decision

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is facing mounting pressure to revisit its decision in favor of an underground Metro station at Washington Dulles International Airport, after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood issued cost-cutting recommendations that include building a cheaper above-ground alternative. Published July 6, 2011

Kaine reports $2.25 million in second-quarter fundraising

Tim Kaine pulled in more than $2 million during the first three months of his U.S. Senate campaign, marking a lucrative transition for the Virginia Democrat from raising money for his party to raising it for his campaign. Published July 5, 2011

McDonnell mostly a stay-at-home governor

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has been working to raise his national profile without spending lots of time outside the commonwealth, out-of-state travel records released by his office show. Published July 4, 2011

Tea party’s Radtke taking on Allen in Senate race

Jamie Radtke is hoping for her own version of the tea party fairy tale that last year sent Florida Republican Marco Rubio to the U.S. Senate. Published July 3, 2011

Allen-Kaine race a dead heat

Virginia voters are equally divided on whether George Allen or Tim Kaine should be their next U.S. senator, as the two former governors anticipate going head to head in a closely watched race next year. Published June 30, 2011

McDonnell’s pragmatism translates to popularity

After spending a campaign defending socially conservative views that some feared might alienate independent voters and failing to win General Assembly support on two of his major initiatives, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell nevertheless has scored notable bipartisan victories and emerged by some accounts as Virginia's most popular statewide political figure. Published June 29, 2011

Advocates’ voices heard in hundreds of new laws

People who suffered sexual abuse as a minor will have 20 years to file a lawsuit in Virginia, and those in abusive dating relationships will find it easier to get a restraining order beginning Friday, when dozens of laws approved by the General Assembly this year go into effect. Published June 29, 2011

Greens expect more of Virginia’s governor

Environmental groups say Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is taking some positive strides toward cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and conserving land, but they express frustration that he is still not doing enough. Published June 27, 2011

Virginia AG to sue FCC over ‘net neutrality’

Wading into another fierce ideological battle, Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II has announced plans to sue regarding new federal regulation of the Internet and has urged other states to jump on board his fight against "net neutrality." Published June 23, 2011

Former postal chief to oversee airports

John E. Potter was named to head the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Wednesday, six months after finishing a decade-long stint overseeing the financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service. Published June 22, 2011

Three Allen trackers look for another ‘macaca’ gaffe

If George Allen makes a flub reminiscent of his infamous 2006 "macaca" utterance, his opponents are determined to catch it. Published June 21, 2011

Justice OKs exemption from Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Department of Justice has granted Manassas Park its request to be excused from a section of the Voting Rights Act that requires the city to seek federal approval for even the smallest changes to voting laws or procedures. Published June 20, 2011

DOJ approves Virginia redistricting plan

The Department of Justice has approved Virginia's newly redrawn House and Senate districts, meaning state primary elections in August and general elections in November will proceed as scheduled, Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II said Friday. Published June 17, 2011