General Assembly | FFXnow

Gov. Spanberger signs energy, contraception bills from Fairfax County legislators

Published April 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Abigail Spanberger speaks at a campaign event in Annandale (staff photo by Jared Serre)

As the deadline for her to act on 2026 General Assembly legislation approaches, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed additional bills yesterday (Wednesday) on health care, housing and energy, including a few championed by Fairfax County lawmakers.

The governor has approved hundreds of bills since the General Assembly session ended on March 14. The latest round of bills includes a codified right to contraception, limits on prior authorizations on prescription drugs from insurance plans, stricter emissions standards for data centers, tools to incentivize and preserve affordable housing, and a longer mandatory waiting period before landlords pursue evictions.

Countywide

Bill in memory of Oakton students would expand possible speed camera locations

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

Del. Holly Seibold speaks about HB 994 on the House floor (via Virginia General Assembly)

A Virginia bill crafted in memory of Oakton High School students killed on Blake Lane in 2022 is on its way to becoming law.

Del. Holly Seibold (D-12), whose district includes part of Oakton, has been pushing for a bill (HB 994) to expand speed camera locations to “safety red zones” designated by the state. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly and is awaiting action from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Countywide

Del. Sullivan optimistic governor will sign vehicle noise-monitoring bill

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 2, 2026 at 1:45PM

Del. Rip Sullivan makes a point as Sen. Jennifer Boysko looks on (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A local lawmaker believes legislation providing a tool to regulate excessive vehicle noise will become law this year after falling short in 2025.

The measure currently sits on the desk of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), having passed both houses of the General Assembly earlier this year.

News

McLean’s state lawmakers encourage residents to call for veto of casino bill

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Del. Rip Sullivan makes a point at McLean Citizens Association legislative forum (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Time is running out for McLean residents to make their voices heard about the controversial Tysons casino proposal, state legislators said Tuesday night.

“This is my call to action: Now is the time, do not wait,” Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) said yesterday (Tuesday) at a General Assembly roundup session sponsored by the McLean Citizens Association (MCA).

Countywide

Fairfax casino critics share range of concerns in urging Spanberger to veto legislation

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 27, 2026 at 9:15AM

A No Tysons Casino sign outside Cedar Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A coalition of homeowners associations and civic groups is pressing Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to veto legislation allowing a casino in Tysons.

“Residents are deeply concerned about the potential impacts on traffic congestion, public safety, neighborhood character and the well-being of families in surrounding communities. These concerns come from people who would live with the consequences of this decision every day,” said the letter, provided to FFXnow by the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance.

Countywide

Fairfax board members denounce local General Assembly legislators who supported casino bill

By Scott McCaffrey and Angela Woolsey

Published March 18, 2026 at 9:15AM

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay chat during a March 2026 board meeting (staff photo by Jared Serre)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors doubled down yesterday morning (Tuesday) on their opposition to a Tysons casino — and ramped up criticism of state legislators pushing the measure.

“This was absolutely a direct attack on local government,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the March 17 meeting, which came three days after state legislators passed legislation that would add Fairfax County to the list of Virginia localities eligible to host a casino.

Countywide

Legislation to monitor excessive vehicle noise awaits Spanberger’s signature

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

Del. Rip Sullivan presents his vehicle noise monitoring bill before the House innovations subcommittee on Feb. 5, 2026 (via Virginia House of Delegates)

The signature of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is the lone step remaining before Northern Virginia localities receive a new tool to combat excessive vehicle noise.

“There was some drama with this bill,” acknowledged its patron, Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6), in a March 16 newsletter to constituents.

Countywide

General Assembly’s data center tax dispute leaves Va. budget unresolved

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press

Published March 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated March 17, 2026 at 2:55PM

CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A dispute over ending a sales tax exemption on data centers stood in the way of the Virginia General Assembly passing a state budget passing before its regular session ended.

Over the past 18 years, Virginia became the world’s largest data hub, but community opposition to data centers has swelled. Most recently, in Fairfax County, environmental groups are questioning plans to sell part of a county-owned parcel at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd in Chantilly to data center developer Starwood Capital Group.

Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors urge Spanberger to veto casino bill

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 16, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 16, 2026 at 3:24PM

Virginia Senate chamber during final vote on SB 756 on March 14, 2025 (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

Despite weeks of debate and revisions, the Senate Bill 756 that the Virginia General Assembly sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk before adjourning on Saturday (March 14) wound up being exactly the same as the one introduced when the legislative session began in January.

After requesting a second conference to some groans from his colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) reverted to his original language for a new substitute bill to allow casino gaming in Fairfax County, limiting potential sites to a 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use development in Tysons but otherwise treating Fairfax the same as the five cities in Virginia already eligible to host a casino.

Countywide

BREAKING: Revised bill would allow temporary Tysons casino without local approval

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 10:30PM | Updated March 14, 2026 at 10:49AM

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell seeks support for SB 756, which would make Fairfax County eligible to host a casino (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

The bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has reemerged after nine days of negotiations with some significant changes from the version that passed the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month.

The State Senate voted 22-16 today (Friday) to accept a substitute for Senate Bill 756 that would allow a temporary casino establishment in Fairfax before a referendum to permit a permanent development goes to voters.