General Assembly | FFXnow

Spanberger agrees to marijuana retail market after vetoing Fairfax County lawmaker’s bill

Published June 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cannabis plant (via Rick Proctor/Unsplash)

After vetoing legislation last month that would’ve established a retail market for cannabis, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has agreed to establish a market through an addition to the state budget.

The compromise between Spanberger, Fairfax County Del. Paul Krizek (D-16) and state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-13) would allow recreational marijuana sales to begin on July 1, 2027. The governor’s office says this allows time for the Cannabis Control Authority to develop regulations, testing and safety standards and oversight framework.

News

Local and state police can enforce traffic laws on GW Parkway, starting in July

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

The George Washington Memorial Parkway (staff photo by James Cullum)

Local and state police will soon be allowed to enforce speed limits and other traffic laws on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, though drivers might not see an immediate increase in officers and troopers.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 81 in April authorizing state and local law enforcement officers to cite drivers for traffic infractions on federal highways in Northern Virginia, starting on July 1. Local agencies can also seek the federal government’s permission to install automated speed monitoring cameras.

Countywide

Lack of agreement on state budget puts Fairfax County leaders on edge

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax legislators listen to public testimony in advance of the 2026 General Assembly session (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County leaders are reacting with a mix of anxiety and irritation to the continued lack of a state government budget.

“This is not a trivial issue — it’s not the way a state like Virginia should be acting,” Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting today (Tuesday).

Countywide

Fairfax delegate’s new law sets statewide ceiling on parking requirements near transit

By Emily Leayman

Published June 5, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated June 5, 2026 at 2:39PM

A parking lot near the Arrowbrook Centre development south of Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new law from a Fairfax County state delegate will set statewide limits on minimum parking requirements years after the county completed a major overhaul of its standards.

Del. Irene Shin (D-8), who represents parts of Herndon, Oak Hill and Chantilly, introduced HB 888 to limit the minimum amount of parking that localities can require for mixed-use and residential developments within a half-mile of mass transit facilities or public transportation stations.

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EXCLUSIVE: Spurred by Tysons casino fight, new advocacy group wants to put money behind local voices

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 2, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated June 3, 2026 at 4:05PM

A Fairfax County flag flies next to Virginia and U.S. flags outside the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The now-annual battle over whether Fairfax County should have a casino is over for 2026, but as some local elected officials and community leaders see it, a larger tug-of-war with the state for control over development decisions has begun.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, former state Del. Kathleen Murphy, and other Fairfax County advocates have launched a nonprofit called Communities First VA that’s dedicated to protecting the authority of local government and giving residents “a stronger voice in decisions that shape their communities,” according to a press release shared first with FFXnow.

Countywide

Spanberger vetoes bills on retail weed sales, class action lawsuits and more from Fairfax legislators

By Emily Leayman

Published May 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Person weighs marijuana (via Add Weed/Unsplash)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed legislation from numerous Democratic Fairfax County legislators relating to a marijuana retail market, class action lawsuits and other issues.

Yesterday, Spanberger rejected the General Assembly-passed versions of HB 642 and SB 542, which would have set up a retail market for recreational marijuana on Jan. 1, 2027 — more than five years after Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize possession of the drug by adults.

Countywide

JUST IN: Spanberger signs one bill to rein in ICE, vetoes another

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 20, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated May 20, 2026 at 2:52PM

Scenes from a Jan. 11, 2026 ICE Out for Good protest on Maple Avenue in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has taken a mixed approach to bills from Fairfax state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) intended to counter the Trump administration’s draconian approach to immigration enforcement.

The governor announced today (Wednesday) that she has signed SB 352 and its House of Delegates companion HB 1482, which ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces, while vetoing legislation (SB 351 and HB 650) that would restrict federal immigration agents from conducting civil arrests in certain public places, including courthouses, schools and health care facilities.

Countywide

Lawsuits filed after Fairfax legislators’ assault weapon ban signed by Spanberger

By Emily Leayman

Published May 18, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated May 18, 2026 at 2:16PM

The NRA's headquarters on Waples Mill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As soon as Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed one of the more polarizing gun safety bills from the 2026 General Assembly session — a ban on assault-style firearms — the Fairfax-based National Rifle Association vowed to fight the ban with a lawsuit.

The pair of bills from state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) and Del. Dan Helmer (D-10), who represent parts of Fairfax County, will ban the sale and manufacture of “assault firearms” and magazines with the capacity of more than 15 rounds. The legislation provides exemptions to guns owned before the law becomes effective on July 1, 2026 but will ban new purchases starting on that date.

News

Fairfax County small business owner shares support for Va. paid leave program at bill signing

By Emily Leayman

Published May 12, 2026 at 3:45PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs legislation on Monday, May 11 that will create a paid family and medical leave program in Virginia (via Office of Gov. Abigail Spanberger)

A North Springfield child care center owner spoke in support of the new paid family and medical leave program at a ceremonial bill signing with Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and lawmakers yesterday (Monday).

Starting on Dec. 1, 2028, Virginia’s new paid leave program will allow most workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for significant life events like caring for a new child, recovering from serious illness, military family needs or caring for relative with a serious health condition.

News

Town hall explores whether Fairfax County should adopt ranked-choice voting

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

A Cunningham Park Elementary School voter at the ballot box for the 2022 general election (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Should Fairfax County switch to ranked-choice elections for Board of Supervisors’ races? Views were mixed during a community forum held last night (Monday) in Reston.

Even Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who could be directly impacted by a voting-format change, said he needs to learn more about any potential impacts.