David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Allen raises $900,000-plus in 3rd quarter
Senate candidate George Allen, Virginia Republican, raised more than $900,000 during the months of July, August and September, his campaign announced Friday. Published October 7, 2011
Cuccinelli criticizes Obama for marriage stance
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II is strongly criticizing the Obama administration for abandoning its defense of a federal law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman — the latest in a series of high-profile actions regarding gay marriage from the state's top prosecutor. Published October 6, 2011
Virginia’s Cuccinelli talks government with students at D.C. alma mater
Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II received a largely warm - though at times combative - greeting Wednesday at his alma mater, Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., while engaging students on subjects including federalism, the Constitution and his challenge to President Obama's health care overhaul. Published October 5, 2011
Transportation key to Va. state Senate races
Candidates running for the Virginia Senate in Loudoun County districts largely agreed at a forum Tuesday on the importance of finding a dedicated stream of revenue for the region's perpetually clogged roads and completing the Dulles Metrorail project — though how to pay for each was another matter. Published October 4, 2011
McDonnell tells Va. agencies to prepare for budget reductions
The McDonnell administration is asking Virginia agencies to brace for potential cuts of 2 percent to 6 percent as he begins to prepare his one-and-only full biennial budget. Published October 4, 2011
Allen, Kaine hit road to help ‘11 candidates
U.S. Senate candidates George Allen and Tim Kaine are supporting candidates in Virginia's fall elections by hopscotching the commonwealth for campaign appearances - including, notably, a number of events in voter-rich Northern Virginia that could be crucial to their own fortunes next year. Published October 3, 2011
Candidates for Virginia state Senate vie for support at forum
Candidates in three of the most competitive and closely-watched 2011 state Senate races in Northern Virginia squared off Sunday, distinguishing themselves on such key issues as taxes, abortion and the potential consequences of Republicans taking full control of state government after Novembers elections. Published October 2, 2011
Virginia teachers union presses for K-12 ‘funding priority’
The president of the Virginia Education Association is pressing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to make K-12 education a funding priority and to increase teacher salaries as part of the states next biennial budget. Published October 2, 2011
96 percent of Virginia schools are fully accredited
Ninety-six percent of Virginia schools are fully accredited by the state Department of Education for 2011-2012 — down 2 percentage points from last year — and the state superintendent is warning of further declines in coming years as Virginia implements more stringent standards for English and math testing. Published September 29, 2011
Pennsylvania to pull back Virginia-housed inmates
Pennsylvania officials plan to transfer back to the state about 1,000 inmates they currently pay to have housed in Virginia prisons — a move that could cost Virginia upward of $20 million. Published September 29, 2011
Virginia’s ‘deep poverty’ rate up 20 percent since 2007
Virginia is home to four of 10 richest counties in the nation, yet the statewide child poverty rate is at its highest level since 1998 and the number of residents who live in deep poverty has jumped by more than 20 percent since 2007, according to newly released census data. Published September 26, 2011
Va. Senate candidate draws heat for small-business legal dispute
A Northern Virginia state Senate candidate who has emerged as a contender in a race that could give Democrats an unlikely victory has come under fire for his record as a small-business owner. Published September 25, 2011
Polls find Kaine Senate bid unhurt by Obama slip in Virginia
President Obama's sinking job-approval rating in Virginia is so far having no impact on poll numbers for Senate candidate and close Obama ally Tim Kaine, despite Republican attempts to link the two together as their 2012 campaigns grind into gear. Published September 25, 2011
Flooding, quake damage in Virginia to exceed $100M
An earthquake, a hurricane, storms and flooding have caused more than $100 million in damage to Virginia state and local facilities in the past month, with some damages in Northern Virginia still to be calculated. Published September 22, 2011
Airports board chairman hits Wolf proposal for overhaul
The chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors on Wednesday publicly criticized a measure introduced by a Northern Virginia congressman that would overhaul the board's structure and grant Virginia a majority of its seats. Published September 21, 2011
Cuccinelli seeks to expand powers of Medicaid fraud control staff
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II wants to expand the scope of the state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit so members can be deputized to serve subpoenas, carry a weapon and wear a badge. Published September 20, 2011
Obama’s approval falls to 40 percent of Virginia voters
A new poll shows President Obama's approval rating has dropped in Virginia, a battleground state he won in 2008 and likely will need again to win re-election. Published September 15, 2011
Virginia board OKs stiff rules for abortion clinics
The Virginia state Board of Health on Thursday passed new regulations for abortion facilities that critics say are among the most stringent such measures in the country and could result in the shuttering of the majority of the state's abortion providers. Published September 15, 2011
Perry says nation doesn’t want a ‘caretaker state’
Texas Gov. Rick Perry used much of his keynote speech at a Republican fundraiser Wednesday to attack the policies of President Obama, firing up the party faithful who turned out for a glimpse of the GOP presidential front-runner. Published September 14, 2011
Poll backs McDonnell, abortion clinic rules
Gov. Bob McDonnell's popularity is growing in Virginia, where a majority of voters also support a controversial new law to regulate abortion clinics like hospitals, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Published September 14, 2011
