Politics

Inaction May Cause Federal Officials to Create Health-Care Exchange for Virginia

January 2013 is the deadline for the commonwealth to create authority for exchange.

Virginia is suffering from deadline fever, although Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is calling for a second opinion.

Week in Alexandria

As the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb heads into the long hot political summer season, both candidates are trying to capture the attention of Northern Virginia voters.

‘I Like the Kind of Man He Is’

Residents flock to Centreville High to hear president Obama speak.

They came, they waited and, more than three hours later, they entered Centreville High’s gym. Hundreds and hundreds of people from the local community, as well as from Loudoun and Prince William counties, stood in humid, 96-degree heat Saturday afternoon, July 15, to see President Barack Obama in person and hear him speak at a grassroots campaign rally.

President Comes to the Area

Obama rallies his supporters during the campaign stop at Centreville High.

Before President Barack Obama addressed the huge crowd inside Centreville High, Saturday afternoon, Jerry Foltz of Wellspring United Church of Christ gave the invocation.

Herrity, Hugo Respond to Obama’s Visit

Both Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) held a joint press conference Saturday afternoon, speaking to local Romney supporters prior to President Obama’s campaign rally at Centreville High. Said Herrity: "It was nice to see so many people from Little Rocky Run stop by and pick up Romney signs and stand with us."

Military Matters

American Legion hosts Kaine forum to address veterans issues.

Former Virginia governor and Democratic candidate for senate Tim Kaine met with veterans and active duty military members of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria July 9 in a roundtable discussion focusing on unemployment and other issues facing service members and their families.

GOP Hosts ‘Super Saturday’

Republicans rally at the Fairfax Victory Office.

Record-breaking temperatures could not keep more than 100 volunteers and supporters from gathering at the Fairfax Victory Office to participate in the Republican Party’s "Super Saturday" call-to-arms on July 7 targeting a dozen battleground states, including Virginia.

Church Hosts Death Penalty Discussion

The Journey of Hope, a group started by murder victims’ family members who oppose the death penalty, is coming to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Arlington, on Friday, June 29, 7:30-9 p.m.

Bernice King Speaks at Busboys and Poets

Daughter of civil rights icons tells her mother’s story.

Bernice King, one of the daughters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Corretta Scott King, was at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington to discuss a biography about her mother on May 26. The book, titled “Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King,” was written by Coretta Scott King’s only sister, Edythe Scott Bagley, who died shortly after she completed the book.

County Board Recognizes Steve DeBenedittis

At its meeting this morning at the Fairfax Government Center, Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova and the entire Board of Supervisors recognized Herndon Mayor Steve DeBenedittis for his six years of service to the town.

Board Appoints Student Liaisons

This week marked the beginning of a one-year term for two new student non-voting members of the School Board. In early June, the board voted to appoint two student liaisons, who competed for the slots through an application and interview process. Due to their credentials, Charlotte Clinger, a rising senior, and Edom Tesfa, a rising junior, were chosen from a group of nine potential student candidates to take on this major commitment.

Gorsuch Re-Elected Board Chairman

At its organizational meeting on July 2, the Alexandria School Board voted to re-elect Sheryl Gorsuch as chairman and Helen Morris as vice chairman for the remainder of 2012. The current board will serve through Dec. 31, after which members elected by City of Alexandria voters on Nov. 6 will take office.

July 1, Fewer Gun Restrictions

Legislation going into effect this week in Virginia includes multiple bills that ease any restrictions on guns.

New Laws, Assault on Freedom?

Voting restrictions, abortion restrictions, DUI restrictions, fewer gun restrictions, more go into effect July 1.

A plethora of new laws will go into effect in the Commonwealth on July 1, including restrictive new procedures for voting, and the loosening of multiple gun regulations.

Documentary Tackles Corporate Tax Evasion

"We're Not Broke" screening in Arlington makes taxation a question of justice.

In Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce's documentary film, "We're Not Broke," which played to an audience in the Arlington County Library June 25, makes the case that taxes are not America's problem. It is who is and who is not being taxed that is.

The Connection