Virginia legislators today roughed out their forthcoming investigation of the state’s troubled information technology agency and its $2.3 billion contract with Northrop Grumman. The Senate Finance Committee is turning over the inquiry to a subcommittee responsible for overseeing the nuts and bolts of government. That subcommittee is headed by Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk. It holds its first meeting on June 29.

Lawmakers will investigate the state’s troubled information technology agency, spurred by the removal of its boss and questions about the $2.3 billion Virginia is paying Northrop Grumman for computer services. A state Senate panel that oversees government operations will conduct the inquiry and report to the Senate Finance Committee, whose chairman, Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince William, ordered the review.

The hole is even deeper than expected. The Senate Finance Committee of the Virginia General Assembly is projecting a budget shortfall of at least $3.2 billion for the 2008-10 biennial budget—an even bleaker projection than forecast previously.