General Assembly

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Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press
Older African American woman with gray hair wearing a pearl necklace and beige blazer, sitting in a conference setting with a thoughtful expression.
FILE - Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens to debate on the Senate floor, Feb. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) called for restraint as the state’s political establishment reels from accusations of marijuana trafficking and money laundering against Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas.

One of the state’s most powerful Democrats and Portsmouth’s representative in the state Senate since 1991, Lucas (D-18) was charged today (Thursday) by the U.S. Department of Justice with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

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News

Local leaders wary of state legislature’s push to consolidate N. Va. bus systems

By Scott McCaffrey
Yellow transit bus at a curbside stop in a shopping center parking lot, with storefronts and parked cars in the background under a blue sky.
A Fairfax Connector bus at a stop in Springfield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Regional leaders agree more collaboration could be beneficial, but see little reason to pursue a consolidation of four Northern Virginia bus systems into one.

“I did come here … with an open mind, open to any compelling reason [to support consolidation],” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at an Oct. 21 roundtable convened by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). “I’m still looking for it — I don’t see it.”

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Countywide

Fairfax County prepares to tax marijuana when retail sales begin in mid-2027

By Scott McCaffrey
Cannabis cultivation (via Richard T/The CDB on Unsplash)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set the stage yesterday (Oct. 13) for a tax on recreational marijuana at the highest rate allowed when retail sales become legal next summer.

On a 10-0 vote, the supervisors directed staff to develop an ordinance that would impose a 3.5% cannabis tax on top of the state sales tax and a 6% state marijuana tax, all slated to take effect when Virginia starts permitting retail sales on July 1, 2027.

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Countywide

Housing, tax reform among Fairfax County’s priorities for 2027 General Assembly session

By Scott McCaffrey
The Virginia State Capitol building (file photo)

The state government needs to step up and take some of the burden for funding core services off the backs of Northern Virginia residents and localities, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay told members of the county’s legislative delegation.

“The exhaustion level is getting real,” McKay said of the state pushing off its funding responsibilities to the local level.

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Countywide

State legislators ask for more ‘respectful’ dialogue on K-12 funding from Fairfax leaders

By Scott McCaffrey
Honorable Kathy K.L. Tran speaks at a conference table, gesturing with her right hand and notes, phone, and nameplate in front of her.
Del. Kathy Tran, D-18, discusses local leaders' language on education funding (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Members of Fairfax County’s General Assembly delegation are asking county supervisors and school board members to lower the rhetoric when it comes to state funding for local K-12 education.

“Be thoughtful about the way you talk,” Del. Laura Jane Cohen (D-16) told the Board of Supervisors during an Oct. 6 joint work session between the board and the county’s state legislative representatives.

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News

Fairfax County to start electronic monitoring for noisy vehicles in early 2027

By Scott McCaffrey
Exhaust pipes for a BMW car parked in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials plan to launch a 90-day pilot program in January to test automated technology that will target drivers of excessively loud vehicles.

Fairfax County Police Department officials outlined plans for the program yesterday (Tuesday) to members of the Board of Supervisors, which responded generally favorably.

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News

Environmental group honors Del. Sullivan for work on clean energy, data centers

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a gray blazer speaks into a handheld microphone at a public event, with a banner in the background.
Del. Rip Sullivan, D-6 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A Fairfax County legislator on Sept. 1 was honored by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for his work on clean energy legislation and addressing the impacts of data centers.

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) was one of six General Assembly members awarded by the group for their legislative leadership during the 2026 session.

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News

Fairfax City plans voter information meetings on sales tax referendum

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Election sign on a yellow stand along a sidewalk reads 'VOTE HERE' and 'PRECINCT 1' with a left arrow, directing voters to a polling location.
A precinct sign on election day in Fairfax City (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

When Fairfax City voters go to the polls in November, they’ll be asked to grant approval for a general retail sales tax increase of up to 1% for construction and renovation of school and/or public transportation purposes.

To give voters the details they need to decide, City of Fairfax Public Schools will host a series of informational meetings about the referendum, starting this week.

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Countywide

Fairfax County revamping lobbying tactics as General Assembly session nears

By Scott McCaffrey
Woman in a red blazer speaks into a microphone at a conference table a panel setting.
Fairfax County legislative director Jennifer Van Ee (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County elected officials and staff are trying a new approach as the 2027 General Assembly session nears.

Among their goals: Get information and local positions to legislators sooner, don’t overburden them with too much information, and build strategic relationships with downstate lawmakers.

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News

Fairfax County leaders salute the impact, legacy of late state Sen. Janet Howell

By Scott McCaffrey
Three panelists seated: woman in middle speaking into a handheld microphone, flanked by two men in suits clapping and listening.
Sen. Janet Howell in 2017 with Fairfax Supervisor John Foust and Del. Mark Keam (Sun Gazette archive photo by Brian Trompeter)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) paused to honor the legacy of former state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32), who died Aug. 2 at age 82.

“She was an institution,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said. “She spent three decades serving the residents of Fairfax County in many ways.”

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