Arlington: County Board Approves $1.16 Billion Budget
Schools adopt Tier One reductions.
After months of negotiations, the Arlington County Board and School Board settled on a compromise that sees cuts to projects on both sides.
Candidates Debate Future of Arlington’s Growth
Arlington County Board Democratic candidates debate future of Arlington‘s growth.
With County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada announcing that they would not seek reelection to their seats, six Democrats have thrown their names into the ring to be one of the party’s two candidates to the County Board this fall.
‘Ban the Box’ Effort
Burke Brownfeld, member of the board of directors of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) announces an award presented by Mondre Kornegay to Alexandria Mayor William Euille for his efforts to eliminate the “check the box” initiative which required a former offender to check yes on employment forms.
Column: Improving Economic Equality for Women
Commentary
I have been surrounded by strong women all of my life. My grandmother was a suffragette, economics professor, labor leader, and advocate for most of her 98 years. My mother is famous in the intellectual disability community for her work with the ARC. One of my four incredible sisters has been CFO in our family business for a generation. My oldest daughter shares management responsibilities for our largest store, and my wife has long been a powerful voice for women in business.
Simply Unaffordable: An Uncertain Future for Affordable Housing in Arlington
New Master Plan lays out uncertain future for Affordable Housing in Arlington.
A new Affordable Housing Master Plan released in March laid out Arlington County’s dire Affordable Housing needs. Hoping for approval before the plan is brought to the County Board in July, the Affordable Housing Study Working Group presented its findings to the Transportation Commission on April 2. The Master Plan was approved unanimously.
Insufficient Data: Arlington Meter Increase Deferred
Arlington’s Transportation Commission recommends County Board defer action on increases to meter rates and hours.
A last minute plea from local business owners and lingering doubts compelled the Transportation Commission to reconsider, and ultimately recommend deferring, a proposal from Arlington County’s Department of Environmental Services to increase the meter rates and hours.
Arlington Courtroom Drama
Public Defenders protest pay inequality with Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
“You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”
Arlington’s Uninsured
Lack of expansion taints Affordable Care Act anniversary.
National and Virginia leadership’s planned celebration of the five-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act quickly became a discussion of the program’s outreach failings and concerns following Virginia legislature’s decisions not to expand the program. Federal and state officials met at the Arlington Mills Community Center on Monday, March 23, for for a round table discussion led by Sylvia Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8). Much of the panel’s conversation centered around
Column: Small Step on Road to Ethics Reform in Arlington
Virginians deserve to know that their leaders are ethical and honest, both from their actions and the rules that govern those actions. For the second year in a row, the General Assembly has taken a small step in the right direction, but our Commonwealth needs real and substantive change.
Lunches for Workers
The SEEC program, sponsored by Arlington County, was established in 2000 to connect day laborers with potential employers.
Arlington Doctor Sentenced in Oxycodone Conspiracy
Derron McRae Simon, 45, of Arlington was sentenced March 6 to 180 months in prison, followed by six years of supervised release for his role in an oxycodone conspiracy.
Column: General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
Commentary
The 2015 session of the General Assembly has officially adjourned. Bills I introduced that now await Governor McAuliffe's signature include legislation on issues from job placement and hospital patients' rights to tax refunds and ethics reform.
Arlington County Manager Avoids Tax Rate Increase
Homeowners to face rise in property taxes through higher assessments.
Beneath the surface of the County Budget there are several notable changes that could have a sizable impact on the lives of many Arlingtonians.
Addressing Campus Sexual Assault
By Adam P. Ebbin - State Senator (D-30)
With only a few days left in this year’s legislative session, the General Assembly has finished much of its business. Republicans have defeated commonsense proposals to raise the minimum wage, close the health care coverage gap, and my bill to keep guns away from toddlers. Negotiators from the House and Senate are inching closer to a final budget deal. Governor McAuliffe has already begun signing some bills into law. Even so, a handful of high-profile issues have yet to be resolved. Notably, we are still working towards a final compromise on how best to prevent and respond to sexual assaults at our colleges and universities.
Incremental Defeats
Northern Virginia Democrats face major defeats and minor victories.
Halfway through every session of the Virginia legislature, bills from the House are sent to the Senate for a vote and vice-versa. The event is called crossover, and in 2015 this will be marked by the complete absence of major reforms the Democratic minority hoped to push through.