Monday, March 12, 2012
Four-judge court could be reduced to two come July 1.
The 17th Judicial Circuit, which includes Arlington County and the city of Falls Church, is likely to lose half of its Circuit Court judges as the state General Assembly attempts to hash out a budget agreement. Such a move would reduce the traditional four Circuit Court judges here to two, increasing the case load for the remaining judges, likely slowing down the case flow and putting the brakes on a plan to implement drug court here. "As far as the administration of justice and the completion of cases, it's really very problematic," said Commonwealth's Attorney Theo Stamos. Stamos, Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur, Arlington County Police Chief Doug Scott and the Arlington County Bar Association have been lobbying for at least three …
Friday, February 10, 2012
Bits and bites from Virginia and national politics.
Restraining pregnant inmates: A House subcommittee this week tabled a bill introduced by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, that would have prevented the state prison officials from using shackles on pregnant inmates. Supporters of Hope's bill called the practice "barbaric" and likened it to "torture," according to the Associated Press. Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur said state regulations, not legislation, should be used to address the matter, the AP reports. Senate passes 'conscience clause': Democrats offered 18 amendments this week hoping to weaken or stop Republican-sponsored legislation that allows child placement agencies under contract with the state to discriminate based on their moral or religious beliefs. They failed, …
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Bits and bites from the world of Virginia and national politics.
Drug testing the poor: A bill that would require local departments of social service to screen participants for possible drug use has won approval in the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Recipients who test positive or refuse to participate would lose certain welfare benefits for a year, though non-drug-using family members could still receive their benefits. Meanwhile, Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, has put forth legislation that would remove a lifetime ban, already in place, against recipients convicted of drug possession. If her legislation passes, those individuals would once again be eligible for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF, once they have satisfied …
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Second in a series on campaign spending in November 2011 races affecting McLean
McLean is divided into two Virginia Senate districts and both races this past November cost more than $1 million each. The 31st District race between Democrat Barbara Favola and Republican Caren Merrick and the 32nd District race pitting incumbent Democrat Janet Howell against Republican challenger Patrick Forest were among about 15 Senate races that broke the $1 million mark, according to the nonpartisan and nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project. The all-out partisan war between state Republicans and Democrats for control of the Senate drove up the cost of the races, VPAP said. There were 10 million-dollar Senate races in 2007, the last time all 40 seats were on the ballot, VPAP reported. The election resulted in an evenly split …
Friday, November 25, 2011
WaPo: MWAA reviewing legality of appointment.
Republican Caren Merrick, the McLean businesswoman who ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate this year, has been appointed to the Metropolitian Washington Airport Authority. Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the appointment of Merrick and Todd Stottlemyer of Oak Hill to the authority on Wednesday. The move is in line with McDonnell's long-term approach to having more say on regional transit boards, and follows successful legislation spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., to expand the MWAA board from 13 to 17 members, according to the Washington Post. The MWAA board opposed Wolf's effort and is reviewing the legality of the governor's appointments, the Post reports. The authority oversees Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington…
Friday, November 18, 2011
Up to six candidates could end up competing in Democratic Party's open caucus.
The field of Democratic candidates seeking to succeed state Sen.-elect Barbara Favola on the Arlington County Board continues to grow. In addition to the three who have already filed statements of organization with the Arlington County Voter Registration Office -- Melissa Bondi, Terron Sims and Peter Fallon -- Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey announced this week that she was throwing her hat in the ring. Garvey stated she will formally announce her intentions at the Dec. 7 meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee. She has filed the initial paperwork with the county, Registrar Linda Lindberg said. Two other Democrats have picked up the necessary paperwork from Lindberg's office -- Kim Klingler, a self-described health …
Monday, November 14, 2011
Three Democrats already have announced for post.
Even though the occasional campaign sign still dots Arlington’s streetscape, preparation for the special election to replace state Sen.-elect Barbara Favola on the Arlington County Board already are under way – and in full force. The only problem is no one’s 100 percent sure when that election will take place. Three candidates – all Democrats – have publicly announced their candidacy for the board and filed preliminary paperwork with the Arlington County Office of Voter Registration: At least two more Democrats have indicated they will run, said Arlington County Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Lieberman. Arlington GOP Chairman Mark Kelly said he’s working hard to make sure his party fields at least one candidate. The process Once Favola…
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Incumbent Democrats beat Green Party candidate.
Incumbent Democratic Arlington County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada will sit on the board for another four years. The pair significantly beat Green Party candidate Audrey Clement for the two seats Tuesday night. Hynes won about 42 percent of the vote; Tejada, about 40 percent, according to unofficial results. Clement won only about 16.5 percent. “I’m delighted. It’s nice to have the confidence of the voters. I’ve emphasized working together and being open to new ideas, all in the service of having a good community. I think Arlington voters affirmed that today,” Hynes told Patch at the Democratic victory party at Bailey's Sports Grille Tuesday. Tejada echoed her sentiments, telling Patch, “I’m feeling great. I’m proud to call …
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Arlington Board member will serve through December.
Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola earned her promotion Tuesday. Favola won a hard-fought election battle against Republican Caren Merrick by a healthy margin to represent an area that includes parts of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties in the state Senate. Favola received 58 percent of the vote, compared to Merrick’s 42 percent, according to unofficial results. “We delivered a message that a lot of people embraced,” Favola told an energized crowd at the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s victory celebration. “People understood that their rights were on the line.” Favola’s fight with Merrick came on the heels of a bitter and expensive primary battle that was decided in August. Since then, she and her team knocked on 51…
Arlington County voters will determine several contested races -- and perhaps the future of the state General Assembly.
Arlington County voters today will help decide several contested state and local races -- and perhaps control of the Virginia General Assembly for at least the next two years. At the forefront is Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola, who survived a bitter and expensive state Senate primary battle in order to face the well-funded Republican Caren Merrick, a McLean businesswoman. The winner will succeed retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell has been campaigning off and on in Northern Virginia for months, trying to amplify any patches of red in this typically blue portion of the state. He helped Merrick raise money early on and took the guest spot at a recent Arlington fundraiser for Republican Patrick …
Ben Glass
9:08 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
How any prisoner is safely handled should be left to professionals, not politicians more ›