A Life Lesson in Giving Back
An immigrant’s son becomes state delegate and introduces the Virginia DREAM Act.
My father was born in a small town in the Andes mountains region of Venezuela. He was one of 22 brothers and sisters from the same parents. At the age of 19 he came to this country with $280 in his pocket and the dream of a better life. He worked as a bus boy and waiter, learned English, and went to school. He graduated from Northern Virginia Community College when I was 5 years old. He then took one class a semester at George Mason University every year, until he graduated from college one month before I graduated from Robinson High School in Fairfax. As a result of his achieving the American Dream, my father was able to change the lives of my entire family in Latin America.
Legislators Are Not Gun Shy About Responding to Connecticut Shooting
Should access to guns be limited or expanded?
Last year's mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut has already prompted a heated debate about gun control in Virginia, where the upcoming session of the General Assembly is likely to feature a number of bills on both sides of the issue.
Use of Food Stamps Skyrocketing in Northern Virginia
Program doubles in Arlington, triples in Fairfax and quadruples in Alexandria.
The use of food stamps is skyrocketing in Northern Virginia, and the spike isn’t just about the recession.
Uranium Money Spreads Across Virginia in Radioactive Debate
Upcoming General Assembly session to feature effort to lift ban on uranium mining.
The uranium deposits under the farmlands of Pittsylvania County are miles away from Northern Virginia, but the debate about what happens there is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues of the upcoming General Assembly session.
Long Lines on Election Day ‘Unacceptable’
Bulova calls for bi-partisan group to address the issue, improve election process.
While voter turnout in Fairfax County on Election Day was at an all-time high--80.5 percent of registered voters cast their ballots, compared to 78.7 percent in 2008--some voters faced long lines and endured hours of waiting in the cold to cast their ballots.
Eminent Domain Amendment Prevails by Wide Margin
Some lawmakers predict amendment will cost taxpayers millions down the road.
Local lawmakers said they were not surprised that nearly two and half million voters (74.6 percent) approved a state constitutional amendment last night further restricting Virginia’s power of eminent domain.
Obama, Clinton, Kaine Fire Up Virginia Crowd
Campaign rally in Bristow, Va. attracts 24,000 supporters.
President Obama, President Clinton, and Senate hopeful Tim Kaine gather supporters at a Virginia rally.
Romney at GMU: ‘He Believes in Us’
Fairfax crowd gives Romney ‘energetic’ welcome as more than 10,000 supporters gather inside and outside Patriot Center.
By the time GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took center stage at George Mason University’s Patriot Center around 4 p.m. Monday, the crowd was fired up.
Editorial: Feeling Important
Presidential campaigns traverse Northern Virginia on last days, mark the importance of every vote.
The images from the last weeks of the presidential Election of 2012 make it clear that it would be hard to overstate the importance of voting, especially in Virginia, especially in Northern Virginia.
Absentee Voting Down Slightly from 2008 Election
More confusion about redistricting reported at polls, not Voter ID.
The line of 100-plus voters casting absentee ballots at the Reston Government Center Friday evening moved quickly.
Great Falls Goes to Polls
Early voter turnout high in most locations.
Every election day, Julius Zannetti of Great Falls gets his voting out of the way first thing in the morning.
First-time Voters Viewpoints: "Who are you voting for and why?"
"I'll be voting for Barack Obama for several reasons. First of all, I've been pretty liberal all my life and I've grown up overseas in France, Belgium and Greece and it's no secret that Europe is pretty liberal also. It put American politics into perspective for me and helped shape my views. Also, I'll be going to college next year and it's increasingly expensive..."
George Allen v. Timothy Kaine for Senate
Voters have stark choice between candidates to replace U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D).
Candidates for U.S. Senate George Allen and his Democratic challenger Timothy M. Kaine have powerful things in common. Both were popular governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia; both have long political resumes; and both men are passionate about the success of their adopted home state.
10th District Candidates Speak at Great Falls Grange
Rep. Frank Wolf, challengers Kristin Cabral, Kevin Chisholm hold forum.
Democratic challenger Kristin Cabral faced off with Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) at the Great Falls Grange Tuesday, Oct. 23, in a community forum designed to answer questions about the next two years of the 10th district.
Obama Fires Up Fairfax Crowd With ‘Romnesia’ Quips
President delivers second GMU gender-pitch aimed at women voters.
Lillie Reynolds, a single mother from Herndon with four daughters, stood in line for nearly five hours to hear President Barack Obama speak for 25 minutes at a campaign rally at George Mason University on Friday, Oct. 19.