Jeff McKay | FFXnow

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

FCDOT seeks feedback on proposed pedestrian, bicyclist improvement projects

By Jared Serre

Published March 11, 2026 at 11:15AM

A crossing on Ridge Heights Road outside Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials are seeking input on how to allocate millions of dollars in funding for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled a list of proposed projects last month and is now actively accepting survey responses until 4:30 p.m. on March 31.

Countywide

Bills to allow by-right housing in commercial districts concern Fairfax County officials

By Emily Leayman

Published February 27, 2026 at 2:45PM

Del. Dan Helmer chairs the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee meeting on Feb. 27 (via Virginia General Assembly)

While the Fairfax County has worked on boosting affordable housing, local officials are wary of state bills that would reduce local zoning authority over residential development in commercial zones.

HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 454 by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16) would require local zoning ordinances to permit by-right multifamily and mixed-use residential development on a portion of commercial or business zoning district land.

News

Oakton’s library could be renamed after the late Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre

Published February 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

Voters line up at Oakton Library (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Oakton’s public library could soon bear the name of one of the most vocal advocates for its construction.

A request to rename the library in honor of the late Gerry Connolly has been submitted to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees by two members of the county’s Board of Supervisors: Chairman Jeff McKay and Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik.

News

Historic Fairfax Courthouse closure spurs call for renewed focus on building maintenance

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

A vehicle passing the Fairfax County Historic Courthouse (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County supervisors have directed staff to return in coming weeks with information on the physical conditions of the local government’s more than 200 buildings.

The request for information was made Tuesday (Feb. 17) by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, who contends maintenance of older buildings constructed between the 1960s and 1980s has been “consistently deferred in favor of new projects.”

Countywide

‘Aggressive’ push needed to replace aging commercial properties, McKay says

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

A sign advertises office space available for leasing in a building near Route 28 in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County needs to take a more hands-on approach to helping owners repurpose aging commercial properties, one local government leader says.

“We know where they are. We have this information. Let’s identify the top 10, 15 opportunities and let’s go to them,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at an Economic Initiatives Committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 10).

News

County board salutes Fairfax police for service during 2021 Capitol attack

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 14, 2026 at 10:00AM

Resolution presentation to Fairfax police on Jan. 13, 2026 (screenshot via Fairfax County)

County supervisors on Tuesday (Feb. 13) honored Fairfax County Police Department personnel for providing support at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“We can’t forget the people who were wearing the uniform that day, defending democracy,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the presentation, which honored the police personnel from the county who responded when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Countywide

Fairfax leaders name education funding as top ask from 2026 state legislature

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 12, 2026 at 3:45PM

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

Fairfax County elected officials seem in alignment on their top priority for the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session.

“Number one is always K-12 education funding,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at the annual legislative public hearing, held Saturday (Jan. 10) at the Fairfax County Government Center.

News

N. Va. officials prepare to make statewide appeal for dedicated transit funding in 2026

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 2, 2026 at 10:00AM

Tysons Community Alliance CEO Katie Cristol (screenshot via Northern Virginia Transportation Commission)

A key Tysons leader is working to ensure state leaders provide dedicated new funding for transit that she says will help the region thrive.

“Transit in Northern Virginia is cool again,” said Katie Cristol, CEO of the Tysons Community Alliance.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders advocate for education, Metro funding in meeting with state delegation

By Jared Serre

Published December 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Local and state lawmakers meet for a pre-legislative meeting hosted on Dec. 16, 2025 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors welcomed multiple state lawmakers who represent the area this past Tuesday (Dec. 16) for an “open exchange of ideas” ahead of next month’s legislative session in Richmond.

As laid out in the 2026 legislative program adopted earlier this month, the local leaders pointed to funding for K-12 education, the need to increase the area’s housing supply, Metro funding and assistance with “responding to changing federal landscapes” as top priorities.