state legislature | ARLnow.com

Hope files bill allowing form of government changes but County Board says more discussion is needed

Published January 25, 2024 at 11:30AM

Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

A new bill in the Virginia General Assembly would give the Arlington County Board the authority to change its structure without seeking further approval from state lawmakers.

Del. Patrick Hope’s HB 1225 would allow the Board to decide if it should retain its 5-member, at-large form of government or consider altering the size, to between three and 11 members, and changing to a district-based representation model. It would also allow the County Board Chair to be elected by popular vote for a 4-year term where currently, the practice is to rotate the chairship among members yearly.

News

Workforce resiliency and abortion are top of mind for County Board members and state lawmakers this session

By Jo DeVoe

Published December 28, 2023 at 10:30AM

The 2024 legislative session will start in two weeks and, in advance, the Arlington County Board and local delegates and senators have hammered out their shared priorities for the session.

A week and a half ago, Board members approved its package of legislative priorities for the 60-day session, including two new additions.

Around Town

From homelessness to public office: Delegate-elect Adele McClure reflects on past after parents reunite

By James Jarvis

Published December 11, 2023 at 3:45PM

Del. Adele McClure (middle) captures the moment her mother, Minnie, and father, Romy, reunited (courtesy of Adele McClure)

Until last week, Adele McClure lacked any photographs of her biological parents together.

Now, the 34-year-old Delegate-elect representing Arlington’s 2nd District has two such photos.

News

Favola and Ebbin tapped to lead senate Democrats after party wins full control of statehouse

By James Jarvis

Published November 16, 2023 at 1:45PM

Sen. Barbara Favola (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington’s two state Senators have landed key leadership roles after Democrats won control of the General Assembly last week.

State Sen. Barbara Favola will continue as Majority Whip, sharing her duties with Richmond’s Sen. Lamont Bagby, according to a Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus press release. Sen. Scott Surovell, who will represent southeastern Fairfax County, is set to become the majority leader.

News

County legislative priorities include more speed cameras, more funding for prosecutions

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 15, 2023 at 11:45AM

Arlington County courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Widespread speed cameras and more funding for prosecutors are two emerging priorities for Arlington County during the upcoming legislative session.

The Arlington County Board got a first look at its legislative priorities during a meeting last night (Tuesday). They cover a range of topics, from funding for improving public transportation to tackling the behavioral health crisis crippling Arlington and the state.

News

Deep blue Arlington played a supporting role for Dems in competitive state races

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 8, 2023 at 3:55PM | Updated November 8, 2023 at 11:35PM

Delegate-elect Adele McClure speaks at the Democratic victory party at Fireworks Pizza on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 (courtesy Paul Ruiz)

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) Tight races for the state legislature and proposed restrictions on abortion motivated Virginians to the polls on Election Day.

This was despite the lack of statewide and federal elections, which typically drive turnout. The races for local office and the Virginia General Assembly played out against the backdrop of Republicans vying for a trifecta — control of the governor’s office as well as the lower and upper legislature chambers — and Democrats trying to stop them.

Schools

To tackle underage vaping, APS may push law preventing smoke shops near schools

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 6, 2023 at 10:30AM

A smoke shop and 7-Eleven across the street from Kenmore Middle School (via Google Maps)

Arlington Public Schools is mulling support for legislation that would allow localities to prevent vape shops from opening up near schools.

This is the first time the idea for such a bill has been considered as part of the School Board’s annual legislative package, according to Frank Bellavia, a spokesman for the school system. The package has not yet been approved by the Board.

Opinion

Barbara Favola: Why you should vote for me

By Opinion Contributor

Published June 9, 2023 at 1:30PM

State Sen. Barbara Favola (courtesy photo)

Last week, we invited the candidates running in competitive races in the June 20 Democratic primary to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.

Below is the unedited response from Barbara Favola, incumbent for Virginia State Senate – 40th District. Challenger James DeVita did not submit a response prior to publication time.

News

A second Democratic hopeful launches bid for District 2 House of Delegates

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 21, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated March 22, 2023 at 9:36AM

Kevin Saucedo-Broach, a candidate for Virginia's 2nd District in the House of Delegates (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 9:35 a.m. on 03/22/23) A second candidate has emerged for the open seat in Arlington’s new 2nd District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Last week, Kevin Saucedo-Broach, a former Chief of Staff for Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), announced his candidacy for the district, created after a 2021 redistricting process.

News

Two bills to even playing field for online local news publications fail in Richmond

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2023 at 11:30AM | Updated February 7, 2023 at 2:03PM

Virginia State Capitol on Feb. 1, 2023 (staff photo)

Two bills that would have given online-only local news publications like ARLnow some of the same privileges afforded legacy media outlets failed in Richmond over the past few weeks.

In the House of Delegates, HB 1920 would have included online local news publications that employ at least one full time journalist in an exemption from local Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) taxes.

Opinion

Morning Poll: No more snow days?

By ARLnow.com

Published January 12, 2023 at 9:40AM

Arlington school bus on a snowy morning (file photo)

Some potentially unwelcome news if you’re a K-12 student in Virginia: some in the legislature want to effectively end snow days.

From our Alexandria sister site ALXnow:

News

Fake 911 calls, predatory towing on county list of legislative priorities

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 15, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated November 17, 2022 at 8:52AM

The Arlington County Board on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 8:50 a.m. on 11/17/22) Arlington County is looking to the state legislature to help with some key priorities, including combating malicious 911 calls and predatory towing.

These are two of many issues that the county intends to have local legislators lobby for in the upcoming 2023 Virginia General Assembly session, which runs for 45 days beginning on Jan. 11, 2023.