Tag: state government

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

Immigration advocates urge Fairfax County to stop cooperating with ICE
Immigration panelists, from the left: Board Chair Sharon Bulova, Police Chief Edwin Roessler, Alma Smith of the Sheriff’s Office, school board member Dalia Palchik, CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres; and immigration attorneys Nicholas Katz of CASA and Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg of the Legal Aid Justice Center. While Fairfax County officials insist that the police department is … Continued

Jim Scott, former state delegate and county supervisor, passes away
James M. “Jim” Scott, former member of the House of Delegates, passed away April 13 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Scott was born in 1938 in Galax, Va. He was first elected to public office in 1971, as a Democrat, representing the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Among his accomplishments on the board: … Continued

Local governments can regulate Airbnb rentals
This Annandale house is listed on Airbnb for $75 a night. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that would allow local governments to regulate short-term home rentals, such as those arranged through Airbnb and similar companies. The legislation, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also sets up a statewide mechanism for collecting taxes … Continued

Ralph Northam reaches out to veterans
Ralph Northam meets with veterans and service members. The upcoming elections have “tremendous implications,” said Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who’s running for governor. “The direction the country is going – toward bigotry and hatred – is not the country I know.” The immigration ban is harming people who risked their lives abroad while working … Continued

State legislative action presented at Town Hall
Del. Kaye Kory and Sen. Dave Marsden speak at a Town Hall meeting on state legislation. Actions at the federal level are grabbing the headlines but the Virginia General Assembly has been making important decisions with widespread implications for state residents. State lawmakers representing the Annandale/Mason District area—Sen. Dave Marsden, Del. Kaye Kory, and Sen. … Continued

Lawmakers, residents call for more regulations on short-term rentals
Panelists discuss the Airbnb law (from the left): Mason Hills Citizens Association President Mike Rioux, code compliance official Elizabeth Perry, zoning administrator Leslie Johnson, Del. Kaye Kory, and Sen. Dick Saslaw, Local residents who attended a meeting on short-term rentals Oct. 5 raised concerns about homeowners filling up their homes with transients, leading to declining … Continued

Community meeting scheduled on short-term rentals
This guest bedroom in Annandale is available on Airbnb for $50 a night. Local residents are invited to attend a meeting on the growth of short-term lodging/rentals, such as Airbnb, in local neighborhoods. The meeting, hosted by the Mason District Council of Community Associations, is Oct. 5, 7-9 p.m., at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, 3333 Sleepy … Continued

Crackdown on out-of-state cars yields more tax revenue
This car was parked at an Annandale apartment complex. Fairfax County is encouraging residents to report online cars with out-of-state license plates that are habitually parked in their neighborhood This effort is part of Operation Target, a program started a year ago by the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) to catch potential tax evaders and … Continued
Lawsuit charges Virginia’s ‘habitual drunkard’ law is unconstitutional
Virginia’s “habitual drunkard” statute violates the commonwealth’s constitution by criminalizing the consumption of alcohol by homeless alcoholics, charges a class action lawsuit filed by the Legal Aid Justice Center and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. The complaint, filed in federal court earlier this month, asserts that commonwealth’s attorneys offices have used the Interdiction … Continued
Free legal clinic for veterans March 4 in Annandale
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is sponsoring a free legal clinic for veterans at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College on March 4. The clinic is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Building CA, Conference Room III, 8333 Little River Turnpike. Veterans and their partners who need help with wills, powers of attorney, advanced medical … Continued

Virginia adopts Rapid Pass on-road vehicle emissions testing
The Rapid Pass system uses instruments in the green boxes on either side of the ramp to test vehicles’ emissions. A new automated vehicle emissions inspection system in place means you no longer have wait in line at a service station. Instead, you drive through an on-road portable Rapid Pass testing location and you don’t … Continued

State lawmakers vow to work for women’s health issues
Del. Kaye Kory and state Sen. Barbara Favola speak at a NARAL fundraiser. Advocates for women’s health are urging the Virginia General Assembly to enact legislation that supports women’s access to birth control, abortions, and equitable healthcare and reject anti-choice measures, like bills to defund Planned Parenthood. “Women should be in charge of women,” said … Continued
ABC applications withdrawn for local Starbucks
The Starbucks coffee shops at Barcroft Plaza and Bradlick shopping centers won’t be selling beer and wine after all. The Starbucks corporate office had initially identified those cafes for conversion to the Starbucks Evenings concept, which adds beer, wine, and more food options to the menu. Starbucks has withdrawn application for liquor licenses to Virginia … Continued