Column: End of Session Report
Commentary
The 2016 General Assembly session concluded in Richmond on Friday evening. We will reconvene for a single day session on April 20 to consider any vetoes or amendments proposed by Governor McAuliffe.
Editorial: Homelessness on Its Way Out in Fairfax
Homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring; 776 fewer homeless individuals in 2016 than in 2008.
Homelessness is down in Fairfax County in every major category, a fact confirmed on Jan. 28, 2016, the annual Point in Time Count.
Column: General Assembly Agrees on Budget
Commentary
The past week has been a busy one in the General Assembly as the House of Delegates passed the 2016-2018 biennial state budget. The Senate also passed a similar budget. During the next two weeks, differences between these two budgets, which are relatively minor, will be negotiated to form a consensus budget that will be forwarded to the governor. The new budget will take effect July 1.
Chantilly Letter: Program on True Islam
Letter to the Editor
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be holding a program to introduce the True Islam and the Extremists campaign in the Virginia area on Friday, March 11, at 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mubarak Mosque, 4555 Ahmadiyya Drive, Chantilly.
Commentary: A Step Backwards for Virginia
Virginia New American leaders respond to the nomination of Ken Cuccinelli for the State Supreme Court.
From immigration to contraception to climate change denial to LGBT rights, Ken Cuccinelli has built a career on extreme conservative positions that are out of step with Virginia today.
Editorial: Making Good Choices on Saint Patrick’s Day
Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will offer the 2016 St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program, providing free cab rides to would-be drunk drivers throughout the Washington-metropolitan area next Thursday, March 17.
Editorial: Bringing Back the Electric Chair
In a world: Barbaric.
No doubt Virginia and Texas will be the last two states to continue with the death penalty until, inevitably, evolving standards of decency lead the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that the death penalty is unconstitutional.
Column: General Assembly Reaches Halfway Point
Commentary
The 2016 General Assembly session has passed the halfway point. The House of Delegates is considering 552 bills that passed the Virginia Senate. The Senate is considering 983 House bills. Among these, the House passed 24 bills and one resolution that I introduced — more than any other member of the House and Senate. I appreciate the support of Republicans and Democrats in the House of Delegates in passing these initiatives.
Chantilly Letter: Intolerance and Hatred
Letter to the Editor
Donald Trump — the fading hot topic of last year; currently known for being the frontrunner in the Republican presidential primaries along with his infamous bigotry. Throughout 2015, the media exploited all the ignorant acts he displayed towards any minorities, beginning with the Hispanic community and now moving on to Muslims, or anyone with a darker complexion for that matter.
Centreville Letter: Oppose ICE’s Raids
Letter to the Editor
On the morning of Saturday, Feb. 6, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted residential raids in Centreville, taking one family member of a worker from the Centreville Labor Resource Center.
Editorial: Freedom of Information on Life Support in General Assembly?
Last week, the Assembly passed SB 202, which undid a major push eight years ago to ensure that all of our public spending was ‘online’ and searchable by ordinary citizens. This, of course, meant disclosing the salaries of public employees over a certain income level.
Editorial: Fairfax Presses Ahead with Diversion First
When police encounter someone in mental health crisis, they can transport them to Merrifield Crisis Response Center instead of jail.
Natasha McKenna died a little more than a year ago on Feb. 7, 2015.
Editorial: Limiting Local Authority
Assembly rushes bill limiting proffers without addressing who will pay for infrastructure.
In Virginia, a Dillon Rule state, local governments have only the powers explicitly granted by the General Assembly. And what the assembly gives, the assembly can take away.
Column: Doing the People’s Business in Richmond
Commentary
It’s been a long week digging out from the #2 record snowstorm in our area. While many streets and roads were plowed within 24 hours, others took several days.
Another Opportunity to Talk About It
Super Bowl Sunday is Sunday, Feb. 7, and often more about the parties than the game.