Countywide

The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 21-16 party-line vote approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Virginia General Assembly the authority to redraw the commonwealth’s congressional districts mid-decade. The move follows the measure’s 51-42 party-line passage earlier this week in the House of Delegates.

If lawmakers approve House Joint Resolution 6007 again during the next legislative session in early 2026 and if voters back it in a statewide referendum, the General Assembly would gain the power — in narrowly defined circumstances — to alter the state’s 11 U.S. House districts between the 2025 and 2030 census cycles.


News

A Herndon man who previously represented western Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates will avoid jail time after admitting to fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Democrat Ibraheem Samirah, who represented the old 86th district from 2019 until 2022, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) by a federal judge in Alexandria to three years of probation for fraudulently obtaining the $83,300 loan for his dentist practice, NOVA Healthy Smiles (NHS), in May 2020.


Countywide

Virginia’s state and local governments would be required to come up with $136 million annually in additional funding for Metro rail and bus service starting in mid-2027, if recommendations from a key regional task force make it through a still-uncertain future.

The DMV Moves task force approved a nonbinding framework yesterday (Wednesday) for increased, dedicated capital spending in support of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). It recommends $460 million in additional funding split between Virginia, Maryland and D.C., starting in fiscal year 2028 and rising after that at a rate of 3% per year.


Countywide

Fairfax County leaders are welcoming renewed efforts giving localities the ability to electronically monitor vehicle noise and fine those whose vehicles exceed state limits.

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) plans to reintroduce legislation on the subject during the 2026 General Assembly session, his office confirmed. In this year’s session, his measure made it to the desk of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), but was vetoed.


News

One new poll suggests that a “growing supermajority” of Fairfax County voters would oppose a casino in Tysons.

The poll, commissioned by the lobbying group Freedom Virginia, found that three-quarters of county residents are against the potential project, with roughly 50% being “strongly” against a casino.


Countywide

Fairfax County leaders appear ready to battle any efforts in the 2026 General Assembly session to strip powers of local government to regulate creation of new housing.

“We want affordable housing,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, but the county’s lobbying efforts in Richmond would be focused on “making sure the General Assembly doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all” approach that erases local decision-making powers.


News

Starting tomorrow, Fairfax County voters will again head to the polls.

The nearly seven-week early voting period begins Friday, allowing voters to cast ballots ahead of Nov. 4’s Election Day.


News

Opponents of a potential casino in Tysons have begun lobbying local officials to oppose the proposal in 2026.

Using the monthly public-comment period of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Linda Walsh of the No Fairfax Casino Coalition asked the local elected leaders to stand firm against the proposal.


Countywide

Fairfax County planning officials say they have the resources to meet new, stricter turnaround requirements for submissions by property developers.

“We’ve already changed our process. We’re in compliance,” Jerry Stonefield, a Land Development Services staff member, told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a land use policy committee meeting last Tuesday (July 8).


News

Control of state government in 2026 will hinge on which political party better connects with voters’ top concerns in coming months.

That’s the view of Del. Marcus Simon (D-13), speaking at a June 28 forum sponsored by NAACP’s Northern Virginia branches.


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