Tag: state government

Vice President Biden campaigns for McAuliffe in Annandale
Left to right: Sen. Mark Warner, Terry McAuliffe, and Vice President Joe Biden. The race for governor in Virginia is “a choice between the mainstream and extreme,” Vice President Joe Biden told a crowd of Democratic campaign workers Monday morning at a get-out-the-vote rally in Annandale. The three Democratic candidates for statewide office were all … Continued

$140.7 million shortfall projected for Fairfax County schools budget
A class at Falls Church High School. Every year, Fairfax County Public Schools officials start getting ready for the budget cycle with dire predictions about the lack of funds—and somehow they find the money to keep going. This year, it’s a lot worse, says Superintendent Karen Garza. There is a $140.7 million shortfall, which Garza … Continued

Governor candidates attack each other’s credentials and agendas
Terry McAuliffe (left) and Ken Cuccinelli attack one another during a debate. [Photo by NBC4.] At a lively debate Sept. 25, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, Terry McAuliffe emphasized his business background and mainstream agenda, while Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli focused on his experience as attorney general and downplayed his ties to Gov. McDonnell’s … Continued

Lieutenant governor candidates Jackson and Northam clash in debate
From the left: E.W. Jackson, Ralph Northam, and Peggy Fox. [Photo by WUSA9.] At a debate Sept. 24 that pitted E.W. Jackson, the Republican candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor against Democrat Ralph Northam, Jackson tried to downplay some of the more controversial statements he’d made in recent months. Those statements—such as “gay people are perverted” … Continued

Virginia allows online voting registration
Virginia is now letting people register to vote online. You can also update your address and other information online and check to see whether you’re registered or not. This should reduce registration problems. There have been numerous incidents of people who thought they turned in a voting registration form and later found out it didn’t … Continued
Tomorrow is voting day for Democratic primary
The polls are open Tuesday, June 11, 6 a.m.-7 p.m., for the Democratic primary. Anyone can vote, regardless of party affiliation. Voters in the Annandale/Mason area will have an opportunity to vote for candidates for state lieutenant governor (Aneesh Chopra vs. Sen. Ralph Northam) and state attorney general (Sen. Mark Herring or Justin Fairfax). Click … Continued
VA lt. governor candidates Chopra and Northam square off in debate
Left to right: Aneesh Chopra, moderator Rex Simmons, and Ralph Northam. The two candidates running in the Democratic primary for Virginia lieutenant governor—Aneesh Chopra and Ralph Northam—agree on a lot of key policy issues, such as women’s access to healthcare and the need to curb gun violence. One area where they differ is campaign tactics. … Continued

Virginia transportation bill is a step in the right direction
Saslaw speaks at the Legislative Town Hall. The landmark transportation bill passed by the Virginia General Assembly last week is far from perfect, but it provides a badly needed infusion of new money and sets a precedent for recognizing the needs of Northern Virginia, lawmakers representing the Annandale area told constituents at a Legislative Town … Continued

Another car title lender opens in Annandale
TitleMax opened on Little River Turnpike, Annandale, March 21. If you’re in need of instant cash at exorbitant rates and willing to risk losing your car, you’ve got plenty of options in Annandale, including a brand new TitleMax store at 7409 Little River Turnpike. TitleMax provides loans of up to $5,000. Interest rates range from … Continued

Virginia lawmakers approve major bill to overhaul transportation funding
Traffic congestion on Columbia Pike in Annandale. After years of gridlock on transportation funding, the Virginia General Assembly approved a landmark bill Feb. 23 that significantly overhauls the way the state will pay for highways and mass transit. The $3.5 billion package eliminates the 17.5 cents per gallon gasoline tax and instead imposes a 3.5 … Continued

Virginia Senate passed bill to raise gas tax
More state transportation funds are needed for projects to relieve traffic congestion, including roads like Little River Turnpike as shown here. The Virginia Senate passed a transportation package this week that would generate $900 million in new revenue for annually and enable localities to put in place additional funding to meet their transportation needs. The … Continued

Transportation, school issues dominate Legislative Town Hall
Facing the audience, from the left: Sen. Marsden, Del. Kory, and Sen. Saslaw More than 100 people came to a Legislative Town Hall at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School Feb. 10 to hear from Annandale-area lawmakers on what’s been going on in the state capital. With the Virginia legislative term nearing its end, lawmakers still haven’t … Continued

Momentum growing for federal action on gun control
A contingent from Northern Virginia at a march for gun control in Washington, D.C., Jan. 26. [Photo by Sue Langley.] With the Virginia legislature unlikely to pass more restrictive gun bills this session, gun control advocates are urging their constituents to focus on Congress. The speakers at a panel discussion on gun violence at Temple … Continued
Kory’s Report from Richmond: We need gun safey laws, not armed teachers
Gov. McDonnell’s outrageous and irresponsible comments in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy cannot go unanswered. As the head of our commonwealth’s government, he should be setting an example of thoughtful reflection upon this event which has become the recent focus of our entire nation. He should be proposing serious measuresthat our state … Continued

Kory, Marsden address gun control at Town Hall
Del. Kory and Sen. Marsden speak at a Town Hall Meeting. The tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14 has drawn renewed attention to the issue of gun control, but isn’t likely to lead to more restrictive gun laws in Virginia this session, said Del. Kaye Kory. It will change the conversation, though added … Continued