General Assembly | FFXnow

Fairfax County School Board jumps regulatory hurdles to OK solar panels for nine schools

Published July 17, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 18, 2024 at 9:56AM

A solar panel demonstration project outside Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In a bid to cut energy costs by tens of thousands of dollars, the Fairfax County School Board finalized a deal with a local solar developer last month to outfit nine elementary schools across the county with 250-kilowatt (kW) solar panels.

The solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) comes years after the school board approved a series of much larger solar projects that were halted after Dominion Energy introduced new interconnection rules that substantially increased project costs, rendering the projects economically unfeasible.

Countywide

Are Virginia toll roads costly and confusing? A state study shows many drivers think so.

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published June 25, 2024 at 11:45AM

A sign displays the toll for taking the I-66 West Express Lanes from Oakton to Route 50 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Researchers found that some complex toll roads in Northern Virginia are “less understandable” for people who drive high occupancy vehicles and that inconsistent toll signage in Virginia may also cause driver confusion. The findings come after a months-long study into easing vehicle traffic congestion, specifically on popular Interstates 81 and 95, and possible ways to stop rising toll costs.

Cost concerns

Countywide

Meals tax back on the menu as Fairfax County seeks new revenue options

By James Jarvis

Published May 22, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated July 31, 2024 at 10:39AM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 23. 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is once again chewing on the possibility of a meals tax — and this time, it won’t need a public vote for approval.

The Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 yesterday (Tuesday) to instruct County Executive Bryan Hill and his staff to develop strategies for broadening the county’s revenue sources as it seeks to reduce the growing tax burden on homeowners. One option could be a tax on food and drink sales.

Countywide

Virginia child care rating system aims to improve kids’ school readiness

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published May 14, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated May 14, 2024 at 4:49PM

Bethbap kids cars toys road carpet (via Bethlehem Baptist Church/Unsplash)

Virginia has implemented new guidelines to establish a unified rating and improvement system to assess the commonwealth’s publicly funded early childhood care providers.

Approximately 75% of child care programs that received public funding previously did not participate in the state’s voluntary quality measures, according to Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, who co-patroned 2020 legislation that led to all publicly funded providers being required to participate.

Countywide

FCPS superintendent scales back planned staff pay raises due to revenue shortfall

By James Jarvis

Published May 14, 2024 at 9:30AM

FCPS Central Office in Falls Church (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Facing lower-than-expected revenue from the county and state, Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a proposal to reduce staff pay raises.

Under Superintendent Michelle Reid’s new proposal, presented at last week’s school board meeting, all school employees would receive a 3% pay increase instead of the initially planned 6%, which would’ve made starting teacher salaries in Fairfax County the highest among surrounding jurisdictions.

Countywide

Fairfax County senators react to governor’s veto of minimum wage bump

By Daniel Egitto

Published April 5, 2024 at 11:45AM

VA Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the I-495 Express lanes extension in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A bill to raise Virginia’s minimum wage got the ax in Richmond despite the support of three Fairfax County state senators.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed legislation on March 28 that would’ve increased the minimum wage from $12 to $15 an hour by 2026. Sens. Jennifer Boysko, Saddam Salim and Adam Ebbin, who all represent parts of Fairfax County, were among several Democrats to sponsor the bill.

Countywide

Va. governor signs bills to combat hate crimes, vetoes civil penalties for invasive plant sellers

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published April 4, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated April 5, 2024 at 1:23PM

English ivy seen at McLean Central Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the latest round of action on bills, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 100 bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly, including one to protect Virginians from unlawful discrimination, hate crimes and antisemitism. The governor vetoed four others, including one to create civil penalties for shop owners who fail to advertise they are selling invasive plants that could harm other species.

Among the 100 bills signed is a measure that will codify a recommendation by the Commission to Combat Antisemitism that Virginia revise its laws to better protect Jewish citizens from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs and other ethnic-religious groups.

News

Potomac Yard developer blames Tysons talk for failure of pro sports arena deal

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 11:00AM

A rendering of Monumental's proposed sports arena in Alexandria's Potomac Yard (courtesy JBG Smith)

The deal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard is officially dead, and the developer says suggestions that an arena could be built in Tysons instead were the final nail in the coffin.

Alexandria City officials revealed yesterday (Wednesday) that they had ended negotiations with developer JBG Smith, Wizards and Capitals owner Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and other stakeholders for a stadium in the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District. About an hour later, Monumental owner Ted Leonsis and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the two professional sports teams will stay at Capital One Arena in Chinatown after all.

Countywide

Poll: What would you think of a Capitals and Wizards arena in Fairfax County?

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 26, 2024 at 11:45AM

A rendering of Monumental's proposed sports arena in Alexandria's Potomac Yard (courtesy JBG Smith)

State lawmakers punted consideration of a casino in Fairfax County to next year, but that hasn’t stopped some proponents from seeking to assist in the divisive plan to bring the Washington Wizards and Capitals to Northern Virginia, whose odds of a comeback win are looking slim.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who represents Fairfax County’s Richmond Highway corridor, recently pitched the idea of bringing both a casino and the sports arena to Tysons to a representative of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the basketball and hockey teams, the Washington Post reported on Sunday (March 24).

Countywide

Youngkin administration considers bill to expand local authority to lower speed limits

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published March 19, 2024 at 3:45PM

A 25 mph speed limit sign on a residential road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Virginia General Assembly passed a measure three years ago allowing local governments to decrease roadway speed limits in their localities to as low as 15 mph. But recently, lawmakers found that the Virginia Department of Transportation denied seven of eight speed limit decrease requests, because, by state law, only the Commissioner of Highways can authorize changes on state-maintained roads.

Earlier this month, legislation advanced that would expand a locality’s speed-reducing authority to roadways within a business or residence district, including state-owned highways.