Tag: state government
Local leaders urge Lt. Gov. Fairfax to resign
Members of the media stake out Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’ home in Annandale Feb. 11. We asked members of the Virginia General Assembly who represent the Annandale/Mason area to weigh in on the scandals rocking the state leadership in Richmond, including the accusations that Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax sexually assaulted two women. Del. Kaye Kory (38th … Continued
Environmental activist takes on Kaye Kory
Jimenez Andres Jimenez, a 38-year-old environmental activist and Mason District resident, is challenging long-time House of Delegates member Kaye Kory in the Democratic primary. Jimenez was motivated to run because he sees “a huge lack of community engagement.” “People don’t know who their state representatives are and what’s going on in Richmond. That’s a big … Continued
Registration under way for expanded Medicaid program
The sign-up process for Virginia’s expanded Medicaid program is under way. The program, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2019, provides access to low-cost health coverage to eligible adults age 19-64. To qualify, a single adult must earn no more than $16,754 a year, while a family of three would could have a household income up … Continued
Cannabis oil dispensary serving Northern Virginia to open in 2019
A medical cannabis oil dispensary serving Northern Virginia is expected to open in Manassas “sometime in 2019,” says Greg Kennedy, co-owner of Dalitso LLC. Dalitso is one of four dispensaries statewide given “final conditional approval” by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy Nov. 28. The dispensaries will produce and sell medicinal products that contain CBD and … Continued
Virginia to strengthen tech education in support of Amazon’s HQ2
An artist’s rendering of a new Metro entrance in Crystal City. [Virginia Economic Development Partnership] While the public debates the pros and cons of Amazon’s decision to locate a new headquarters in Crystal City – it’s good for property owners, bad for homebuyers, renters, and commuters – Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced plans for a … Continued
Commentary: Vote No on Constitutional Amendment Question 1
Flooding in Accomack County, Va. [Accomack County government] By Marie Reinsdorf In keeping with Virginia’s regular habit of amending the Constitution, the Nov. 6 ballot has two amendments up for a Yes or No vote. Question 1 states: Should a county, city, or town be authorized to provide a partial tax exemption for real property … Continued
County to enhance tax evader program
Some of the vehicles parked at this apartment complex in Bailey’s Crossroads have Maryland or D.C. plates. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal to expand the Target program, which allows people to anonymously report cars with out-of-state license plates as possible tax evaders. The two districts with the most out-of-state plates … Continued
Physicians in Virginia can register to approve cannabis oil for any medical condition
Cannabis oil products. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Virginia’s medical marijuana program has come a bit closer to reality, as the registry for physicians is now open. That means physicians can register with the Board of Pharmacy to be able to recommend cannabis oil for patients for any condition. More than 70 physicians have registered so far, … Continued
Thousands of Fairfax County residents will get health coverage under Medicaid expansion
The Virginia General Assembly (Virginia-Pilot) Beginning in January 2019, approximately 28,000 uninsured individuals in Fairfax County could be eligible for healthcare coverage, thanks to the efforts of the General Assembly to finally approve a Medicaid expansion measure as part of the state budget. The measure ensures the most vulnerable people, including the elderly, disabled, children, and … Continued
Virginia takes a step closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Advocates for legalizing medical marijuana on a lobbying trip to Capitol Hill. Advocates of legalizing medical marijuana in Virginia have made some progress recently but more outreach is needed to convince state and federal lawmakers to take action. In one bright spot, Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law a bill expanding the use of cannabis … Continued
Cheers! New law allows alcohol consumption at community pools
A party at an Annandale pool. [Ella M. Photography] You’ll be able to bring a beer for happy hour and enjoy a margarita legally at your community pool this summer. You probably didn’t even know pools need a banquet license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority every time a pool allowed alcohol on the … Continued
Public invited to learn about redistricting
The Springfield-Annandale branch of the American Association University Women invites the public to learn about efforts to end gerrymandering and promote fair redistricting in Virginia. This is the topic of the group’s next meeting, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., in the Braddock District supervisor’s office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Brian Cannon, executive director of OneVirginia2021, … Continued
Voter turnout and ‘Trump effect’ were major factors in Northam victory
High voter turnout and the “Trump effect” were major factors in Ralph Northam’s unexpectedly big win over Ed Gillespie in the election for Virginia governor, the managers of both campaigns agree. Bradley Komar, the manager of the Northam campaign, and Chris Leavitt, Gillespie’s campaign manager, shared insights from the Nov. 7 election at a forum … Continued
Candidates for statewide office divided on healthcare
Northam The candidates for statewide office in Virginia present a stark contrast in how they would deal with healthcare and the economy. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor outlined their positions at a forum Oct. 2 in Tysons hosted by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Virginia … Continued
Commentary: Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam is the best choice for governor of Virginia
Northam By Sen. Dave Marsden Some people love to play fantasy football. Almost all of us love to play fantasy politics. Fantasy politics occurs when we become enamored of a candidate because somehow their background fits our ideal and we imbue them with characteristics that we have determined would make for a great chief executive. … Continued