Newsletters
Newsletter - June 6, 2019
As you know, unlike most other states, Virginia has elections in June and November every single year. These primary elections may very well decide who becomes the next general election winner in each of these jurisdictions. So please get out and vote! For my constituents who are still undecided on how they'll be voting, I have made endorsements in each of the three jurisdictions I'm proud to represent. If you have questions about why I've made my choices in any of these races, just ask me.
Newsletter - June 4, 2019
This morning, Governor Northam announced that he will be calling the Virginia General Assembly back to Richmond to convene a special session this summer on gun-safety legislation. I'm very pleased by this decision. I look forward to re-introducing the strong measures I have introduced in the past to protect Virginians against gun violence, to co-patron anew the measures I have supported in the past, and to introduce and support new measures to reduce the scourge of gun violence.
Newsletter - June 2, 2019
Yesterday, I sent you my cri de coeur (literally, "a shout from the heart") in response to the awful Virginia Beach shooting.
The goal of today's newsletter is to share resources and information to help you navigate the Metro platform renovation/summer shutdown that will last until September.
Newsletter - May 27, 2019
This Memorial Day, let us rededicate ourselves to increase our own devotion to honor the members of the military who, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "gave the last full measure of devotion" in service to our country. Let us reflect with gratitude on how they made the ultimate sacrifice and work toward doing the utmost to prevent lives from being unnecessarily lost in the present or in the future.
Newsletter - May 19, 2019
Thank you to everyone who came to my Campaign Kickoff at Metrostage!
For those who missed it, we strived for something different. A dozen constituents and other Virginians took the stage to talk about a wide variety of local and statewide projects we'd worked on together to make Virginia better. My profound thanks to the folks who took the stage to share our stories together. I was proud to work with each and every one of you. As you'll see, it takes a village to make real change.
Newsletter - May 1, 2019
Last Thursday, in a victory for local control and the progressive values of the people of Arlington County, the Arlington County Board voted unanimously for a resolution requesting that the Commonwealth Transportation Board rename Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway or Richmond Boulevard. I appreciated their thanking me personally. (My legal analysis was used by the Virginia Attorney General when he issued his official opinion on the matter at my request. Until that time, Arlington officials had been stymied in their efforts to get the Highway name changed.)
Newsletter - April 25, 2019
As you probably know by now, I requested Attorney General Mark Herring issue an official opinion to clarify that Arlington has the ability to rename Jefferson Davis Highway by making a formal request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, rather than relying on the state legislature to make the change. And Herring did so last month.
Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, to his credit, said they would act swiftly to make that request. This evening, the Arlington County Board will vote on a resolution to request the name be changed to Richmond Highway, as it is now known in Alexandria. The name change is not the first item on the board's agenda so even though the hearing begins at 6:45 pm, the Highway renaming is expected to come up around 8:30 or 9 pm.
The resolution will ask that the name change take effect on October 1 of this year. I think it should be sooner, if possible. The board will be taking public comment, and while they will likely vote unanimously in favor of the resolution, they should still hear from you, the public. So, if you agree that the time has come for us to stop honoring the President of the Confederacy, please show up and speak out.
Newsletter - April 7, 2019
Last Wednesday, April 3rd, the Virginia General Assembly reconvened in Richmond to vote on the Governor's 40 budget amendments, suggested amendments to 46 other bills, and his vetoes. On Wednesday, we sustained every single one of the Governor's vetoes. Click here for a list of the Governor's vetoes and recommendations.
Newsletter - April 1, 2019
The Governor of Virginia signed 819 bills into law from the 2019 session. He vetoed 17 bills and recommended amendments to 46 bills and the budget, on which he suggested 40 amendments. You can see a summary of the Governor's non-budget actions by clicking here and his budget actions by clicking here. This Wednesday, April 3rd, the Virginia General Assembly will reconvene in Richmond for our "post-veto session." It will be up to us, when we reconvene, to decide whether or not we agree with the Governor's approximately 100 decisions (63 bills and 40 budget amendments).
Newsletter - March 23, 2019
Yesterday, I'm proud to report that in a letter to me, the Attorney General issued a formal opinion certifying my analysis as accurate. The Attorney confirmed my long-held view that Arlington and the CTB do in fact have authority to change the name without any further General Assembly approval.
Now things can move along much more quickly. And Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, to his credit, told the Washington Post just that.
Indeed, the Arlington County Board could pass such a resolution as early as its next meeting on April 23. The measure would then go before the Commonwealth Transportation Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor of Virginia. If all goes well, Arlington street signs could be changed as early as this summer.