David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
McDonnell completes two-week overseas trade mission
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is wrapping up a two-week trade mission to Israel and India with promises of luring Asian investments back to Virginia and the United States. Published November 21, 2011
Virginia redistricting lawsuit hints of state Senate rifts ahead
A lawsuit filed over congressional redistricting in Virginia suggests likely partisan sniping in the state's upcoming General Assembly session, with Democrats already contesting Republican claims to a Senate majority. Published November 20, 2011
Virginia faces potential budget shortfall of $1 billion
Though Virginia has finished two consecutive years in the black, the state faces a potential budget gap of $600 million to $1 billion over the next two years, the Senate Finance Committee learned Thursday. Published November 17, 2011
Dulles Metrorail Phase 2 is right to work
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Virginia have reached a tentative agreement on a labor pact that had threatened to quash a deal in which the state would contribute additional money to the Dulles Metrorail project. Published November 16, 2011
Virginia officials retreat to face tight budgets
State officials on Tuesday sounded a cautionary tone as Virginia prepares for a lean budget season and the potential of cuts from Capitol Hill next week — cuts that could stanch economic recovery in a region heavily reliant on federal spending. Published November 15, 2011
Virginia’s method of evaluating sex offenders flawed, costly
Virginia's system for assessing which sexually violent offenders should be sent to a state-funded rehabilitation program is fundamentally flawed and has contributed to costs nearly 10 times higher than just seven years ago, according to a report released Monday by the General Assembly's investigative arm. Published November 14, 2011
Va. economic outlook uncertain ahead of budget presentation
Despite boasting an unemployment rate well below the 9 percent national rate, Virginia's economy remains on shaky footing heading into retreats next week by the General Assembly's money committees. Published November 12, 2011
LaHood announces deal on Dulles rail
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday announced a deal between federal, state and local stakeholders that would cut costs and iron out funding mechanisms for Phase 2 of Metro's expansion to Washington Dulles International Airport. Published November 11, 2011
Secure Communities program confusing to FBI
A controversial federal initiative aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants prompted significant internal confusion among FBI officials and concern about information-sharing relationships between federal, state, and local governments, emails released Thursday show. Published November 10, 2011
Houck concedes defeat in deciding Va. Senate race
Seven-term incumbent state Sen. R. Edward Houck, Spotsylvania Democrat, has conceded defeat in the 17th district Virginia Senate race to Republican Bryce Reeves, ensuring the GOP a 20th seat and an effective majority in the General Assembly's upper chamber. Published November 10, 2011
GOP takes control, ‘responsibility’ in Va.
Even though election results were still unofficial, Gov. Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republican leaders declared victory Wednesday and made clear they will be in control — complete control — of the General Assembly come January. Published November 9, 2011
GOP holds slight edge in deciding Va. Senate race
Republican hopes for an effective majority in the Senate and a historic power grab in Richmond were pinned late Tuesday on a central Virginia race in which a GOP challenger clung to an 86-vote lead with a final count not expected until Wednesday. Published November 8, 2011
Dems rally in last-ditch effort to hold Va. Senate
Top Virginia Democrats rallied before an enthusiastic crowd at George Mason University on Monday in a final push before Tuesday's elections, where the party will try to prevent a Republican monopoly from controlling Richmond just three years after the state swung blue. Published November 7, 2011
Candidates, party leaders play turnout card with Virginia Senate as jackpot
Virginia Republican and Democratic luminaries crisscrossed the commonwealth over the weekend in last-ditch pushes to get their voters to the polls Tuesday for General Assembly elections that history shows likely will have a low turnout. Published November 6, 2011
Direction of Virginia legislature likely to hinge on N.Va.
All 140 seats in Virginia's General Assembly are up for election Tuesday, but the focus has narrowed to a handful of races, including several in Northern Virginia, that will determine the trajectory of state government for the next several years. Published November 6, 2011
Democrats hear stirrings from a ‘dead’ Old Virginny
On Tuesday, Virginia Republicans have the opportunity to regain unfettered control in Richmond for the first time in a decade — and only the second time since the Civil War. Published November 6, 2011
Alexandria alley fight to state’s top court
The long-simmering battle between the city of Alexandria and the Old Dominion Boat Club - part of the battle, anyway - is headed to the state's highest court. Published November 3, 2011
Stewart endorses Allen in Va. Senate race
Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart, a frequent critic of former Virginia Gov. George Allen, on Tuesday made nice with the current U.S. Senate candidate by offering him his endorsement. Published November 1, 2011
Top Republicans slam Loudoun email showing Obama with bullet hole
Top Virginia Republicans are soundly disparaging a Halloween email sent by the Loudoun County Republican committee that takes the iconic Shepard Fairey image of President Obama, depicting him as a zombie with a bullet hole through his head. Published October 31, 2011
Illegal immigrant pleads guilty in killing of nun in Va.
An illegal immigrant who fatally struck a Benedictine nun while driving drunk was found guilty in Prince William County on Monday of felony murder — a case that sparked outrage in a county at the forefront of debates on local enforcement of federal immigration laws. Published October 31, 2011
