What Would $155 Million Bond Package Buy?
New fire stations, library renovations, park improvements and more on Nov. 6 ballot.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, Monique Bell of Oakton was helping her 5-year-old daughter McKenzie sort through a dozen Halloween craft books at the Reston Regional Library. The library, one of the busiest branches in Fairfax County, has a collection of more than 215,000 volumes and circulates more than a million books a year.
County Gets Election Ready
Fairfax County prepares voters for new election measures.
"The good news in Fairfax County is that almost everyone who is eligible is registered to vote," said Cameron Quinn, Fairfax County’s chief election official. "Our problem in Fairfax County is not voter apathy, and it’s not getting people to register. What we don't have is every registered voter registered at their correct address."
Inaction May Cause Federal Officials to Create Health-Care Exchange for Virginia
January 2013 is the deadline for the commonwealth to create authority for exchange.
Virginia is suffering from deadline fever, although Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is calling for a second opinion.
President Comes to the Area
Obama rallies his supporters during the campaign stop at Centreville High.
Before President Barack Obama addressed the huge crowd inside Centreville High, Saturday afternoon, Jerry Foltz of Wellspring United Church of Christ gave the invocation.
Despite Failing Grade on Transparency, Law Enforcement Officials Resist Opening Access
Advocates for public access remain frustrated by persistent lack of transparency.
Back in March, Virginia received a failing grade from the State Integrity Investigation as the result of a systematic lack of transparency.
Kaine Holds Forum to Discuss Higher Education
Former Virginia governor meets with students and parents in Burke.
Former governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine met with Northern Virginia students and parents to discuss his strategies for the future of higher education on Thursday, June 21 at Villa Bella Ristorante in Burke.
Fairfax Board Objects to Governor’s Transit Funding Game
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors signed a regional letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton on Tuesday, June 19, objecting to the administration’s attempt to circumvent the efficient transit funding system used successfully in Northern Virginia for decades.
McDonnell Signs Bills to Eliminate Mandates on Localities
Supervisor Pat Herrity, chair of Governor’s task force, said legislation will streamline local government.
While visiting Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg last week, Governor Robert McDonnell ceremonially signed nine bills that streamline or eliminate burdensome state mandates on local governments.
Fairfax County Board Expands Scope of Community Services Board Audit
Social service agency scrutinized for projected $9 million shortfall that threatens services to children and disabled.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday, June 5, to expand the scope of a financial audit for the Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides social services to thousands of the county’s most vulnerable residents and has come under fire for an $8 million budget shortfall.
Community Services Budget Under Scrutiny
$8 Million budget hole threatens programs, public review underway.
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides social services to thousands of the county’s most vulnerable residents and has come under fire for an $8 million budget shortfall, was given a temporary reprieve by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Governor Signs Voter ID Bills
McDonnell directs state to send every voter a new voter card before Election Day.
Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) signed watered-down versions of Virginia’s Republican-backed voter identification bills on Friday, adding the Commonwealth to the growing list of states adopting stricter voting standards.
Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight
A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.
Supervisors Endorse Advertised Budget
Highlights include restored funding for human services, libraries, employee pay.
"Morning has broken, like the first morning…" Cat Stevens sang it in his 1971 hit, and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova used it to sum up the board’s 8-2 vote, endorsing the advertised 2013 budget during the April 24 budget session.
Cook Announces Braddock Citizen Governance Conference
Conference scheduled May 5.
Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) announced plans for an all-day conference designed to turn residents into decision-makers who play a key role in determining the future of the Braddock district.
Fairfax Board of Supervisors Considers Raising Stormwater Management Fee
One-penny hike on property tax could raise $35 million for projects throughout the county.
When it rains, it pours. That’s why Fairfax County taxpayers may have to fork over more money this year for stormwater management.